Combi boiler question

[CalzoneOnLegs]

Probably a daft question but on the combi boiler I have there is a dial up to 6 for the water and the radiators

Specifically regarding the water, is it best to have that up to maximum because obviously it needs more gas to heat to a higher temperature but I wouldn’t have to run it so long to make it hot, am I right or wrong in thinking this or is it swings and roundabouts ?

many TIA

I dont think it makes any difference. We have it dialed down but that is mostly from a safety perspective as I don't want anyone to get burnt from running the taps

For the water it should make your hot water from the taps hotter or cooler, set it for what feels comfortable for hand washing.

Thank you both 😊 no danger of it being too hot as it takes loads of water down the drain to get hot ! It’s just when I wash up I have to top up with a kettle to make it hot enough as I like really hot water for the washing up (no dishwasher)

For the radiators, the idea is to offset the heat losses from the house.
Set to higher as it gets colder outside. As it warms up outside turn it back down, checking that all radiators are getting warm.

A condensing boiler is most efficient at about 60C. Try that as your starting point. You may have to read the instructions.

In winter, if the radiators are not hot enough, you might sometimes need to turn it up to get the house sufficiently warm, but the house will maintain a more even temperature if they are not excessively hot. Your room thermostat and boiler thermostat should normally operate automatically without you having to turn it up and down.

I don't know what make and model of boiler you have, or what your knob is, or what "6" means on it

BTW you have a combi, and you can regulate the tapwater temperature a bit by adjusting the hot tap. It will deliver a high flow rate at a lower temperature, than at a low flow rate. This can be noticeable in a shower, but is particularly relevant if you like a very hot bath, and have to fill it slowly.

Tapwater from a combi is cooler in winter.

@PigletJohn thanks
Thank you

its a Worcester Bosch boiler and the number 6 is the maximum on the dial next to a tap symbol and the same next to a radiator symbol. Radiators I’m happy with its pretty warm in here I just feel the hot water needs to be hotter, I will switch it up to ‘6’ max and try it.
No bath here just an electric shower

On my Worcester Bosch I have noticed that the water is hotter when the radiators are on without me changing any temperatures and also comes through hotter quicker without having to run as much, I don't know why this is though. In the winter I try to do hot water stuff when the radiators are on. Have you noticed this at all OP

@RedRiverShore5 Yes !!
now you mention It, however, I have only had the heating on once this year, but I do remember this now.

I think somewhere on boilers is some pre heat thing for hot water but it uses more energy, maybe if your boiler has one that might help. I must confess I don't know much about my boiler and its upstairs out of the way so not with me in the kitchen

@RedRiverShore5 it was serviced Thursday, kicking myself for not picking his brains now !

I think that will be because the boiler is already hot. Otherwise, when you turn the tap on, it has to heat up its own internal water and its pump and pipes as well as your tapwater.

@PigletJohn thank you again, I’ve now switched it up to ‘max’ which is after ‘6’