How to get the most from your gas/oil central heating
Using your central heating system efficiently means that you can get the best out of the system for the least cost. To do this you need to know how to work the heating controls. Your heating system will have some or all of the following controls:
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Boiler thermostat
Found on the boiler itself. Controls the temperature of the hot water flowing around the pipes to the radiators.
Thermostat should be ¾ to max. This may be on a number scale, or temperature of around 70°C. Boiler is most efficient at this setting.
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Room thermostat
Found in the hall way or living room. It controls the temperature of the whole of the home based on the room it is in.
Correct setting – 21°C – 23°C for pensioners and families with young children, between 18°C – 21°C for everyone else
Note – turning up the room thermostat will not heat the room up faster it will eventually make the room hotter.
Tip – If you have a room thermostat, you may have it set higher than you need, without even realizing it. Try turning your room thermostat down by one degree, leave it for a day and if you still feel warm enough, try turning it down another degree. Carry on until it feels a bit too cool and then turn it back up one degree. Every degree that you turn it down could save you around £95 a year on your heating bill.
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Cylinder thermostat
Found on the hot water tank, it controls the temperature of the hot water coming out of the taps.
Correct setting is 60°C or 140°F The tank needs to heat to at least 55°C once a day to kill any bacteria in the water (Legionella).
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Radiator thermostat
Found on the radiator itself, it allows you to have different temperatures in each room.
Correct setting – Start of at a middle setting and turn down a notch if too warm and up a notch if too cool. If the radiators go cool, and you are warm, this is normal and means the thermostat is doing its job.
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Programmer
Controls the times you want the heating and hot water to switch on and off. Make sure it is set to suit your lifestyle rather than it ruling your life!