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Heating on or heating off.
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With energy prices rising what do you find the cheapest way to heat your home? We leave our heating on constant now after the plumber suggested it when he was doing the service, we used to put it on a timer so many hours a day but found no difference in the cost on our bills when we changed to constant, as the house doesn't get cold enough to need that massive boost of heat morning and night. I'm no plumber neither is hubby what's your thoughts on this? |
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"With energy prices rising what do you find the cheapest way to heat your home? We leave our heating on constant now after the plumber suggested it when he was doing the service, we used to put it on a timer so many hours a day but found no difference in the cost on our bills when we changed to constant, as the house doesn't get cold enough to need that massive boost of heat morning and night. I'm no plumber neither is hubby what's your thoughts on this?"
Not a plumber either  but it probably varies according to the construction of the house as some retain heat better than others. I am the same though, keeping it at certain level, not too high, most of time especially when there is a continuous spell of cold weather. However they also say that not that healthy to have it on for long periods so who knows. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Solid fuel here so can't leave it on all the time due to being out the house (radiators switched on manually once the tank is hot, then off when I need hot water to build up for baths /showers etc).
I wear extra layers and use blankets when the house is cold, and hot wheat bags and hot water bottles. I couldn't afford to heat my house with gas, the wood is free but not unlimited.
In summer I use the immersion tank and mostly leave it switched on all the time so like you say, the heat is just kept topped up rather than heating the whole tank each time.
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"Solid fuel here so can't leave it on all the time due to being out the house (radiators switched on manually once the tank is hot, then off when I need hot water to build up for baths /showers etc).
I wear extra layers and use blankets when the house is cold, and hot wheat bags and hot water bottles. I couldn't afford to heat my house with gas, the wood is free but not unlimited.
In summer I use the immersion tank and mostly leave it switched on all the time so like you say, the heat is just kept topped up rather than heating the whole tank each time.
"
Sounds like you got it all sorted there, Woods probably warmer than gas as well. |
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By *m389Man
over a year ago
Magherafelt |
"Solid fuel here so can't leave it on all the time due to being out the house (radiators switched on manually once the tank is hot, then off when I need hot water to build up for baths /showers etc).
I wear extra layers and use blankets when the house is cold, and hot wheat bags and hot water bottles. I couldn't afford to heat my house with gas, the wood is free but not unlimited.
In summer I use the immersion tank and mostly leave it switched on all the time so like you say, the heat is just kept topped up rather than heating the whole tank each time.
"
Is the point about the immersion definitely true? I don’t have the balls to keep it on. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Solid fuel here so can't leave it on all the time due to being out the house (radiators switched on manually once the tank is hot, then off when I need hot water to build up for baths /showers etc).
I wear extra layers and use blankets when the house is cold, and hot wheat bags and hot water bottles. I couldn't afford to heat my house with gas, the wood is free but not unlimited.
In summer I use the immersion tank and mostly leave it switched on all the time so like you say, the heat is just kept topped up rather than heating the whole tank each time.
Is the point about the immersion definitely true? I don’t have the balls to keep it on."
I heard it from Martin Lewis years ago. I suppose if it's a well insulated tank then it shouldn't lose heat quickly. I don't have a smart meter or the brain to figure out if all the little top ups are more expensive than heating the tank from cold every day. |
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"With energy prices rising what do you find the cheapest way to heat your home? We leave our heating on constant now after the plumber suggested it when he was doing the service, we used to put it on a timer so many hours a day but found no difference in the cost on our bills when we changed to constant, as the house doesn't get cold enough to need that massive boost of heat morning and night. I'm no plumber neither is hubby what's your thoughts on this?"
The reference is dont let your house get too cold as it takes longer to warm up.
Cold walls and large windows are the biggest problem for any householder.
Once the walls get warm you can keep the heat lower instead of boosting it to temp everytime you come in.
Warm walls act like a heat store.
Heating cold walls fast dos'nt get them warm always leaves cold spots you might not think so but it does.
Its just an illusion that the house is warm on fast heat, when its not.
cold cellers or larder store are the same reference
try timmer wise
2 lights overnight need a low thermostat setting
1 light per hour or 1 1/2 hr per light
The slotted button timmer sort is better will only light for 15 mins and shut down |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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We have it on constantly. We adjust the temp slightly if necessary but keep it at just the sweet spot otherwise. There's always people in and out of the house so it's always quite warm. The dryer heats up the downstairs when it's on - I know of course that's using electricity but it kills two birds with one stone. |
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"Solid fuel here so can't leave it on all the time due to being out the house (radiators switched on manually once the tank is hot, then off when I need hot water to build up for baths /showers etc).
I wear extra layers and use blankets when the house is cold, and hot wheat bags and hot water bottles. I couldn't afford to heat my house with gas, the wood is free but not unlimited.
In summer I use the immersion tank and mostly leave it switched on all the time so like you say, the heat is just kept topped up rather than heating the whole tank each time.
Is the point about the immersion definitely true? I don’t have the balls to keep it on."
Look up Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) they have a good myth buster section and tips |
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As goes for wood stive i built my own
i built both the rocket stove and i get 4+ hours out of a load of wood
A hand shopping basket size of wood load
I get less wood usage with downdraft wood stove
I have a homemade downdraft stove due to its wood loading
but bought downdraft stoves are expensive
jayline ul stove
or
xeoos twinfire stove
However they give twice the amount of heat due to the burn in them instead of sending the heat up the chimney. |
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When the heating system is on (December to March) the thermostat is set to 19c. So it will only kick in, fire up the radiators if the temperature drops below this.
I don’t need to worry about keeping a water tank full of water warm as all appliances use cold water and heat themselves, water to shower and taps is heated as it comes through. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"With energy prices rising what do you find the cheapest way to heat your home? We leave our heating on constant now after the plumber suggested it when he was doing the service, we used to put it on a timer so many hours a day but found no difference in the cost on our bills when we changed to constant, as the house doesn't get cold enough to need that massive boost of heat morning and night. I'm no plumber neither is hubby what's your thoughts on this?"
Cheapest way to keep your home warm is insulation in the loft. Then double it. After that try zoning off downstairs and upstairs. You'll probably find you only need to warm downstairs.
Bungalows. Erm. Just the loft bit. 
Find energy companies that do other bills to. Mobiles, Internet and insurances. They seem to be more resilient to fuel price hikes as they seem to spread their profit across their range. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Find energy companies that do other bills to. Mobiles, Internet and insurances. They seem to be more resilient to fuel price hikes as they seem to spread their profit across their range. "
Shell ought to be quite resilient having just announced record profits.
Their prices went up too. |
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"With energy prices rising what do you find the cheapest way to heat your home? We leave our heating on constant now after the plumber suggested it when he was doing the service, we used to put it on a timer so many hours a day but found no difference in the cost on our bills when we changed to constant, as the house doesn't get cold enough to need that massive boost of heat morning and night. I'm no plumber neither is hubby what's your thoughts on this?"
I think you should keep it constant but adjust the temperature setting. I know nothing.....
Invest in some thermals long Johns
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By *ENGUYMan
over a year ago
Hull |
The aged Heating boiler was replaced just over a year ago, with the new one being far more efficient. I have the heating on for 3 hours in the evening and 2 hours at wake-up in the morning.
There's a separate Combi boiler for hot water needs. The loft is insulated, but the house can't be cavity insulated.
Otherwise, I wear several layers during the day, and have an Electric Hearth Fire in the Lounge for short use if needed. |
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I tried this method out on a brand new stove.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxVzT8nmCpw
Using a verona L stove
Yes they was a learning curve with it and also a way to control the primary air into it and secondary air.
I also got the same results as the video using softwood stacked the same way.
Only warning I will give is dont try it unless you have a firebrick above the flame.
I warmed an area 10m squared by insulated walls and also insulated roof area by 100mm insulation. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Solid fuel here so can't leave it on all the time due to being out the house (radiators switched on manually once the tank is hot, then off when I need hot water to build up for baths /showers etc).
I wear extra layers and use blankets when the house is cold, and hot wheat bags and hot water bottles. I couldn't afford to heat my house with gas, the wood is free but not unlimited.
In summer I use the immersion tank and mostly leave it switched on all the time so like you say, the heat is just kept topped up rather than heating the whole tank each time.
Is the point about the immersion definitely true? I don’t have the balls to keep it on.
I heard it from Martin Lewis years ago. I suppose if it's a well insulated tank then it shouldn't lose heat quickly. I don't have a smart meter or the brain to figure out if all the little top ups are more expensive than heating the tank from cold every day. "
I have a smart meter on pre pay. I put in about £10 a week but the gas went down rapidly recent and I was left with £7 in it. It’s now back up to over £100 but if it happens again I’ll switch to standard as right now it’s on varied.
It’s easy to top up and easy to find out how much you have in it. |
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"Keep mine on controlled by the thermostat. Unfortunately my 20+ year old boiler packed in last winter. The silver lining, the new boiler is massively more efficient."
Mine is probably very inefficient at 36 years old but amazingly and thankfully, it keeps going (Baxi) with minimal servicing and would probably cost me a couple of grand to replace and not sure I'd recoup that on lower bills or how long we'll be in the current house.
We are off to B and Q like a lot of people this weekend to buy more insulation and will try to be more frugal and wear more clothes!
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"Keep mine on controlled by the thermostat. Unfortunately my 20+ year old boiler packed in last winter. The silver lining, the new boiler is massively more efficient.
Mine is probably very inefficient at 36 years old but amazingly and thankfully, it keeps going (Baxi) with minimal servicing and would probably cost me a couple of grand to replace and not sure I'd recoup that on lower bills or how long we'll be in the current house.
We are off to B and Q like a lot of people this weekend to buy more insulation and will try to be more frugal and wear more clothes!
"
36 years old same age as me lol. |
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"The joys of being in a flat as a guy that runs warm
I’ve never had my heating on. If I’m that cold I’ll put a jumper on but that’s rare "
Back in the 90s, I was in a middle floor flat of a block of 3. The elderly couple on the ground floor had their heating on 24/7. Sandwiched between them and the floor above me, and with double glazed windows, I never used any heating either! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I have a very draughty, very old house.. There is daylight under my front door and i sometimes wonder if its worth having a back door.
I use draught excluders, keep inner doors closed, wear extra layers. When working /watching tv, i use throws to stay warm.
My luxury is an electric blanket to warm my bed 
My water is instant and i try to use the (gas) heating as little as possible (mainly 'cos it leaks straight outside )
I just treated myself to an Oodie and have been so hot this afternoon i considered opening the windows  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Check double glazing not letting draughts in. Internal doors shut (but not slammed shut). Decent underlay/carpets. Curtains with additional lining. Thick socks and jumper. Loft insulation."
I'm about to treat myself to a stairs +landing carpet |
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"I have a very draughty, very old house.. There is daylight under my front door and i sometimes wonder if its worth having a back door.
I use draught excluders, "
Depending on your gap at bottom of the door you can fit an aluminium draft excluder with a brush on to the outside of the door.
This will stop any external drafts getting through the external seal like they do on the internal types. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I have a very draughty, very old house.. There is daylight under my front door and i sometimes wonder if its worth having a back door.
I use draught excluders,
Depending on your gap at bottom of the door you can fit an aluminium draft excluder with a brush on to the outside of the door.
This will stop any external drafts getting through the external seal like they do on the internal types."
The challenge is that my threshold is a very worn stone step! But I'll investigate! Thanks! |
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My landlord had to put a new boiler in, so I actually have a thermostat for the first time in 10 years. Made it much easier, can turn up or down sitting on the sofa.
Old draughty house, I have a curtain up at the front door and in-between the front and back rooms, keep the other curtains closed, radiator off in the spare room, lots of blankets and cats to keep me warm. |
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"The challenge is that my threshold is a very worn stone step! But I'll investigate! Thanks! "
Compared to some ive seen that is worn you can repair the threshold bar with stone steps.
Certain areas in my area your not allowed to cut out unless replacing the stone step itself.
Alternative way is to use hardwood to recreate the worn away stone threshold bar under the door.
Therefore only a shallow gap between the door and threshold bar. |
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