The efficent use of controls is key to the efficent use of fuel. Making sure heat is only produced when it is
required seems an obvious way of reducing a fuel bill, but is often made impossible by the controls (or lack of them) installed.
The Energy Saving Trust (www.energysavingtrust.org.uk) estimate that fitting the correct heating
controls could typically save you around 15% on your heating bill.
Here are some cheap, easy ways to help the efficiency of your system.
1)
Fit a room thermostat.
It is
a common belief that if TRVs are fitted there is no need for a room thermostat.
This is not correct. The
fitting of a room thermostat provides a boiler interlock to stop wasteful ‘cycling’ of the boiler.
Link: Room
Thermostats
2)
Fit a 7-day control.
If your
heating requirements differ depending on which day of the week it is (e.g. Monday
you want the heating to be off while you are at work, but on Sunday you want it
on as you are home), a 7-day control will provide you with this flexibility.
Link: Programmers
/ Timeswitches
Link: Programmable
Thermostats
3)
Fit a full programmer.
A
full programmer provides separate timebases for both heating and hot water.
Most full programmers also have 3 on/offs for flexibility.
Some (Siemens, Danfoss, Drayton and Horstmann) are suitable for gravity
systems. Please note when in gravity mode, the Honeywell ST9400 series is
not working as a full programmer.
Limitations: *Not applicable to combi boilers
Link: Full
Programmers
4)
Fit a programmable thermostat.
Ever increasing in popularity, a programmable thermostat
offers you even more ways to save. You
can have your morning temperature a few degrees lower than you evening
temperature. A few degrees can make
a big difference to your fuel bill. Features
like optimum start (Danfoss/Drayton/Honeywell models) and chrono-proportional
mode (Danfoss models) also provide fuel economy with greater comfort.
Limitations *Requires a Fully Pumped (S or Y-plan) or
Combi system.
Link: Programmable
Thermostats
5)
Fit a cylinder stat.
As with a room thermostat, a cylinder thermostat can
stop wasteful cycling of the boiler.
Limitations: *Not applicable to combi boilers *Some older
systems may require further control upgrades to fit a cylinder thermostat.
Link: Cylinder
Thermostats
6)
Fit TRVs.
TRVs switch off
the radiator when the room is up to temperature by reducing/stopping the flow of
water into them. More expensive
TRVs have liquid filled sensors for a quicker response then their wax filled
counterparts.
Link: Thermostatic
Radiator Valves
7)
Clean your system.
OK its
not really controls, but we sell them so were including it here!
A clean system will help both the efficiency and reliability of your
heating system and boiler.
Chemicals like those from Sentinel and Scalemaster, combined with a
physical cleaner like the Boiler Buddy or Magnaclean will provide all systems
with benefits.
Link: Boiler
Buddy
Link: Magnaclean
Link: Sentinel
Link: Scalemaster
8)
Upgrade to a fully pumped system.
The
flexibility provided by a fully pumped system allows the efficient use of
controls, which in turn lowers fuel bills.
Limitations: Not applicable to combi boilers
Link: Installer Packs
9)
Zone your property.
Splitting
your property into two zones (for example upstairs and downstairs) can allow you
to have separate timings for each zone. So
for
example, in early evenings there is no need to heat the bedrooms, but you may
want heat in the lounge.
Link: Zone Valves
Link: Horstmann
H37XL
Link: Timeswitches
Link: Room
Thermostats
Link: HCO 3 Channel Pack
10)
Fit an automatic bypass valve
An Auto
Bypass Valve saves energy over a normal bypass by only allowing water though it
when valves are closing, this keeps a condensing boiler in condensing mode
longer.
Link: Auto
Bypass Valves
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