We have an oil boiler with gravity-fed flow and return to the h/w cylinder, and pumped c/h. We have the immersion heater on continuously for h/w in the summer, but in the winter we have used the 'free' h/w from the boiler when the c/h is on.
With oil now around 45p a litre, and a tank refill approaching £1000, my mind is now being concentrated on reducing the amount burnt as much as possible. We are, by the way, on an advantageous fixed price electricity tariff until 2010.
Would there be any advantage in having the immersion heater on in winter with the boiler supplying the c/h? In other words, would the already heated h/w reduce the gravity flow from the boiler to the h/w cylinder enough for us to notice a reduction in boiler use? I appreciate there would still be some flow (unless I fit a gate valve on the return, which might be frowned upon), and it's difficult to measure the actual amount of oil used, but any opinions/experience would be welcomed.
Rgds.
With oil now around 45p a litre, and a tank refill approaching £1000, my mind is now being concentrated on reducing the amount burnt as much as possible. We are, by the way, on an advantageous fixed price electricity tariff until 2010.
Would there be any advantage in having the immersion heater on in winter with the boiler supplying the c/h? In other words, would the already heated h/w reduce the gravity flow from the boiler to the h/w cylinder enough for us to notice a reduction in boiler use? I appreciate there would still be some flow (unless I fit a gate valve on the return, which might be frowned upon), and it's difficult to measure the actual amount of oil used, but any opinions/experience would be welcomed.
Rgds.