Heating Savvy is here to help you navigate the cold winter months with an efficient boiler.
As the old saying goes, “A good householder makes his sled in the summer and his cart in the winter!”
When temperatures drop over the country, it’s best to be prepared with a well-functioning heating system.
In this guide Heating Savvy we’ll provide you with valuable information and tips to ensure your boiler is efficient and your gas consumption is minimal this winter.
1. Schedule a Boiler Inspection Before winter arrives,
Your boiler needs a service, much like your car. This helps ensure your boiler operates without issues or leaks.
If you have an anti-magnetite filter, now is the time to clean it.
It’s best to schedule your boiler inspection during the spring or summer, as boiler service companies are often busy with interventions during the winter.
2. Adjust Your Boiler Temperature
Check your boiler settings and ensure they are correct. If necessary, lower the temperature.
Here are the recommended temperatures for your gas boiler:
- For a condensing boiler, keep the temperature under 55 degrees. Setting a higher temperature could prevent condensation and reduce efficiency by 10-20%.
- For a conventional boiler (non-condensing), set the temperature to 65 degrees.
- For the hot water circuit from the boiler, keep it below 49 degrees to avoid scalding.
Remember to periodically check and reduce the boiler temperature if possible. The lower it is, the less you consume and pay.
3. Insulate Your Attic or Loft
Your home’s attic and ceiling should be insulated to prevent heat loss.
This will reduce your heating bills and keep your home warm.
Check if there are other ways to improve your home’s insulation, such as installing double-glazed windows or ensuring doors and windows close properly.
4. Use Your Thermostat Efficiently
Your boiler doesn’t always need to heat at a high temperature.
Start by choosing a good room thermostat. The lowest set temperature should not be below 18 degrees.
Start from here and increase by 1-2 degrees to find your comfort level.
You can always increase the temperature in your home for 10 minutes, just remember to lower it again.
With a programmable thermostat, you can do this automatically.
5. Install Thermostatic Radiator Valves
Your home doesn’t need to be heated at the same temperature everywhere.
It’s recommended to install thermostatic radiator valves in each room (except one).
These valves help you control the water flow through the radiators, thus controlling the local temperature.
This gives you individual control over each room.
The thermostatic head allows you to choose the appropriate ambient temperature, usually between 21-23 degrees.
6. Install Radiator Reflectors
While not the most attractive, these radiator reflectors help reflect heat back into the room. Which would otherwise be absorbed by the walls.
This keeps most of the heat in your home. They’re not necessary if the radiator is well-sized, but they do have a positive effect.
7. Change Your Gas and Electricity Provider
Your gas and electricity provider should offer you the best price. But that’s not always the case.
Now you can change your gas or electricity provider. Here’s how:
- Go to this web site where you can compare and change energy providers.
- Choose individual, location, and services (gas and electricity), and press continue.
- Enter your estimated consumption and distributor.
- Choose one of the packages and press continue.
- Write your contact details at “I want to finalize the contract online” and press generate documents.
- Upload the documents and send them.
Should I leave my boiler on all the time?
It depends on whether you have a room thermostat connected to your boiler.
It’s a good idea to lower the temperature when you’re not at home or at night. By reducing the temperature, you’ll pay less on your gas bill.
The longer you maintain a high temperature, the more you’ll pay. Consider using thermostatic radiator valves to regulate the temperature in each room.
In bedrooms that are not in use, you can minimize heating and save money.
With an internet-controlled thermostat, you can turn on the heat 20 minutes before you get home right from your phone.
With a programmable thermostat, you can set operating schedules for the days of the week. Half an hour before you get home, the boiler can start up.
Can I keep the boiler at a minimum all the time?
It’s cheaper to keep the boiler at a minimum, but it’s not very comfortable. The minimum temperature should be around 18 – 19 degrees in winter.
Or if you’re away for a long time, set the frost protection temperature to +5 degrees C.
You should turn off the boiler or set it to a low temperature when you’re away from home.
With a programmable thermostat, you can do this automatically. And you can set it to heat up a little while before you return home.
Gas boiler or electric boiler?
It depends on which fuel is more accessible for you. Most houses are heated with gas.
Others use electric boilers or heat pumps.
Generally, it’s four times cheaper to use gas than electricity for heating.
That’s why gas should be your first option. The choice between a gas or electric boiler should be an easy one .
Should I keep the doors closed for warmth?
Definitely for the front door. For the other doors, it depends.
If you’re satisfied with the temperature in the house, and you keep the doors open to all rooms, the temperature will be uniform.
If you use thermostatic radiator valves, you can control the temperature in each room. Then it’s better to keep the doors closed and adjust the temperature differently in the rooms.
What temperature should I set on the room thermostat?
An economical temperature for the room thermostat is one that provides comfort for you and those in the house, without going to extremes.
It’s considered that 18 degrees is the lowest comfortable temperature in the house.
But people feel differently. And for some 25 degrees is the level at which they feel good. Just remember that you can save 6% on your heating bill for each degree less.
What are the most efficient radiators?
In short, the correctly chosen radiators. To be efficient, they must be sized appropriately.
There’s no need to install huge radiators that are not necessary, cost a lot, and take up a lot of space.
Likewise, it’s not necessary to install small, undersized radiators that can’t heat the room properly on very cold days.
We’ve all encountered a bathroom where a towel radiator only heats the towel but can’t heat the entire bathroom. So choose the right radiator for you wisely.
Final thoughts
Remember, an efficient boiler is not just about the “most efficient gas boiler” or the most”new combi boiler.”
It’s about understanding your system, making smart choices, and using energy-efficient practices.
Whether you’re considering “A rated boilers” or wondering “what is the most efficient boiler system,” this guide has you covered.
Stay tuned to our blog for more tips and guides on energy-efficient boilers and more. Happy heating!
Insightful piece