Excessive Gas Consumption - Not sure what to try next!

[mjr_havoc]

What meter was installed before the smart meter... metric or imperial units of measure?

Certainly my bill has a converstion from m3 to kW.. older meters be cubic feet to kW with a different factor to convert.

(I've not thought about whether it's to your advantage, I've not read the rest of the thread to see if anyone has already sugggested it. I've shot from the hip)

Does your boiler short cycle?

Nozzle

When we first moved into the property, the meter was imperial. The meter is now a smart metric meter. The conversion is not an issue as I have checked the bills before and after the meter change and they have recorded the usage correctly.

How can I definitively check if the boiler is short cycling?

 

[Nozzle]

Check for short-cyling: On a cold day or with cold DHW cylinder, set the timer to fire. Then, does the boiler fire-up and stay in service for ages (perhaps it even modulates) - or does it fire for a short time, then cut out, then fire up again a short while later.

Nozzle

 

[mjr_havoc]

Check for short-cyling: On a cold day or with cold DHW cylinder, set the timer to fire. Then, does the boiler fire-up and stay in service for ages (perhaps it even modulates) - or does it fire for a short time, then cut out, then fire up again a short while later.

Nozzle

Thanks I will try and do this check...

Does it have to involve the DHW cylinder or can I just set the central heating to a high temp and do the same check?

Also can you clarify how long 'ages' is? Thanks

 

[Murdochcat]

If you are just using the study during the day I would set the room stat to , say 16 degrees and use a small electric heater in the study with the door closed.

 

[mjr_havoc]

If you are just using the study during the day I would set the room stat to , say 16 degrees and use a small electric heater in the study with the door closed.

Thanks, this is really useful information. I will definitely do this as it makes sense to not use the boiler just to heat one room in the house.

Would you recommend a certain type of heater for this? I.e. oil rad, electric fan heater, etc.?

 

[UpgradeME]

What is the minimum your boiler will modulate down too? Mine is a little over 7.2kW which means I have to have most radiators on to prevent short cycling of the boiler.

No idea, how do I find this out?

Vaillant ecoFIT Pure 430 modulates down to 7.4kW - which means if you only had the study radiator on, it would likely short cycle a lot...

As another reference, I have a 4-bed detached, built around 1986 with a Vailant ecoTEC Plus 418 boiler and Vailant ebus controls (inc weather compensation). Dec 24 my gas usage was 1,393 kWh and so far in Jan it's been 1,264 kWh - The thermostats are set at 18-19c during the day with a setback temp of 17c at night.

The attached shows my boilers flow/return temps along with inside / outside temps in the last 24hrs.

 

[Murdochcat]

Thanks, this is really useful information. I will definitely do this as it makes sense to not use the boiler just to heat one room in the house.

Would you recommend a certain type of heater for this? I.e. oil rad, electric fan heater, etc.?

We have a Dimplex 2kw heater (model no DL10 Timer) (which can run at 750w, 1250w or 2Kw )with timer and thermostat options. Does what it needs for me when I'm at home on my own in the winter and in my den - absolutely no point in heating all our house if I don't need to BUT I do have the central heating on with the room stat set lower

 

[flameport]

For this particular room, it has an old style fireplace and you can feel a draught when standing next to the unlit fireplace.

Block it up, even if temporarily. A black bin bag with other plastic bags or packaging inside shoved into the chimney will do.

 

[Why Not Indeed]

Would you recommend a certain type of heater for this?

Sit on an electric blanket. That's what I do. Tens of Watts. It does tend to attract cats if left unattended, however.

 

[mjr_havoc]

We have a Dimplex 2kw heater (model no DL10 Timer) (which can run at 750w, 1250w or 2Kw )with timer and thermostat options. Does what it needs for me when I'm at home on my own in the winter and in my den - absolutely no point in heating all our house if I don't need to BUT I do have the central heating on with the room stat set lower

Thanks, I will pick one up.

I have all the heating turned down to frost protection. Would it be better to have them set to, say 16°C instead until I need to turn them up?

 

[mjr_havoc]

Sit on an electric blanket. That's what I do. Tens of Watts. It does tend to attract cats if left unattended, however.

Definitely an option, although I hate my feet and hands being cold! Might have to go with the heater option!

 

[mjr_havoc]

Block it up, even if temporarily. A black bin bag with other plastic bags or packaging inside shoved into the chimney will do.

Thanks, I will block it up and cover the front for good measure (to stop someone from accidentally turning it on).

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Definitely an option, although I hate my feet and hands being cold! Might have to go with the heater option!

Amongst the electric heating options, most economical, is an electric blanket/throw, and radiant heaters come next - heaters which glow red, and only heat the body they are aimed at.

 

[Andy165]

You can get a chimneysheep.co.uk for the fire. Leaves a warning handle hanging down , indicating chimney is blocked.

 

[Mister Banks]

For you it may not but it does make sense.

Unoccupied rooms that don't suffer from mould issues don't need to be heated. Turning them off will make the boiler reach its desired temperature faster.

The problem with not heating rooms whilst heating others is that the radiators that are heating will have to work harder due to the unheated rooms absorbing heat. Unless the unheated room is isolated from the rest of the house meaning doors closed and insulated plus walls and floor insulated. Then when you do want to heat the room it takes longer due to having to heat from a lower temperature.

I’ve found that this all takes a bit of trial and error to work out what is best for your house, it’s not just a case of install and hope.