What is the most efficient way to use a hot water boiler?

Question

I have a bath at the begining of the day.

Answer 1

I think you are asking what is the most economical between leaving it on all the time, and setting it to switch on and off at specific periods of the day. I cannot come up with any scientific data to support this but I would say the switching on/off option - to coincide with your own routine. The reason I say this is that, despite the best insulation, some heat energy is bound to escape (an airing cupboard uses the lost energy). It takes x amount of electrical or gas energy to raise the temperature of water to y degrees - whether you consume this all at once or bit by bit would seem irrelevant to me. Peronally I heat my water for 2 x 2hr periods per day. The most energy efficient system for water heating is said to be the instantanious type. This forms part of a 'combination' boiler: the heat for central heating radiators is timed on and off, but the water is heated as required. What you loose out on is the rate at which these systems can produce hot water - but all that means is that you have to wait a few more minutes to fill your bath. Don't forget to put some nice bath oils in - it will relax you and stop you worrying about the next gas bill.

Answer 2

Considering your question doesn't have much detail...

The first and most important thing to make sure that you're getting the most out of your boiler is to get a tune up!! Your system (no matter if it is a boiler or furnace or what type or product you heat with) should be done at least once a year (oil once a yr, gas every 2 yrs, or heat pumps every two or three yrs). The best time for the tune up is after the heating season, generally between May - August. A tune up can save up to 10% or more on heating costs, but increase the lifetime of the system, reduce the breakdowns and repairs on the unit and also check the effiency level that you unit is burning at. Generally most good oil boilers burn between 75 - 85 % efficient. Tune ups are also benificial because a good HVAC company that does a proper tune up will also check the amount of carbon monoxide is coming from your unit, and check how clean it's burning.

Also, make sure that you are changing your airfilters regularly, you can get them from any hardware store or if you're getting your unit tuned up by an HVAC company sometimes you can request that they bring them or let them know you will supply them, and ask them to change the filters for you. Though with some HVAC companies it they may charge you extra to do that.

You may also want to try turning down the thermostat at night and when you're away from home. In most cases, you can save about 2% of your heating bill for each degree that you lower the thermostat for at least 8 hrs each day. Everyone is used to hearing it wastes more energy that way, but it doesn't. Turning down your thermostat will not take more energy to bring your home back to the desired temperature than it would to leave it at the same temp all day. For example turning the thermo to 70°F to 65°F, for example, saves about 10% ($100 saved per $1,000 of heating cost). And if you don't feel like turning your thermo down and up all day, buy a programmable one, though with a heat pump you will need a special one, so it's not turning on your emergency heat. Programmable thermostats will be your friend, if installed & used properly, will more than pay for themselves in a years time.

With a boiler you have an aquastat. Normally it is set at 160-180º F. You do not need to keep the boiler up that high during milder weather. Adjust it to about 140º which should decrease you fuel consumption up to 10 %. Though with doing that you may also want to consult a HVAC company to come out and see what they recommend you set it at. They may even be able to set it lower.

Not knowing if you have a hot water boiler that uses radiators or baseboards or even a hot water coil (where you have a boiler but the water goes through a coil and is blown through your duct work)... If that's the case i would suggest cleaning the ducts, and making sure they are sealed and insulated properly. having radiators or baseboard heat, you want to make sure you are bleeding any trapped air in them and make sure you're properly maintaining them. Having the right water level in your radiators will also increas effiency.

Also keep everything unrestricted by furniture, drapes etc....

other than that I can't think of what you can do to make your unit efficent...other than replacing the unit depending on age and effiency that your unit runs.

Answer 3

when do you do dishes, i hope you use at least warm water ... do you wash any clothes on warm or hot? just thinngs to consider if you want to turn it down or something ... an in-line heater is supposed to be the most efficient kind ...

central heat and the power to run your refrigerator, computer, and lights are probably the easiest places to cut costs if you already have an insulated heater and pipes ... also, are we talking gas or electric??

Answer 4

INSULATE YOUR PIPES. THIS SHOULD WORK