Darling MNHQ, please could we have an expert about efficient use of central heating?

[PerkingFaintly]

Before I stick my head in an oven* reading all the misconceptions and misunderstandings about what is most efficient.

There are people putting themselves through real suffering trying out completely hopeless ideas to cut bills, and costing themselves more in the process.

*which would be shocking waste of gas

(Apols for inadvertently starting dupe thread in Q&A topic.)

Oh, yes please!

Eg I give you this thread:
www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4682973-9-degrees-inside-is-it-now-a-false-economy-to-not-put-heating-on?page=20&reply=121779844

Where people seem to be at cross-purposes about numbers of radiators, because some are talking turning rads off, not closing doors, and still heating the same area; and some are talking about turning rads off, closing doors, and leaving some areas unheated.

They're just making a whirl of misunderstanding.

Yes please!!

Ooh yes this would be great!

Yes yes yes great idea!

[I've copied my reply from t'other thread]

Oh yes please. I've no idea what's the best way to use it to maximise efficiency.
We've recently moved to a new house that was built in the '70s. It's much draughtier than the new build we were in before and we're spending more than £10 in gas per day to keep warm enough. We have a prepayment meter as the previous owners were in debt, and even though our tariff is apparently cheaper than if we were on a direct debit deal, it's horrible seeing how quickly the top ups disappear.

Agree. And someone who is properly knowledgeable about all the intricacies of different building and heat supply types, so can answer questions about all-electric and oil fired heating as well (cos we exist too and are paying through the yazoo).

The biggest confusion seems to be is it cheaper to leave the CH / hot water tank on all day in an empty house.

As with so many things, It Depends.

On what system and thermostat you have, what build of house (high or low thermal mass), whether you come home at predictable times or walk in any old time and want it to reach your comfort level quickly...

Yes yes, this.

Followed swiftly by people trying to deal with condensation by having windows open... but no heating on. Arrgggghhhhh!

Our friendly expert needs to talk people through managing building moisture, without just saying "heat the whole house to 20 degrees".

Because people won't.

Can I add my voice to this request , it would useful .🙂

Brilliant idea, I'd appreciate this very much.

Oh yes please, otherwise we’re going to need a damp and mould specialist to come and do a Q&A come spring

This is a really good idea. There are a lot of people posting on here who are storing up damp, mould and health problems for themselves.

I get that people are scared and worried but there needs to be some helpful and calming information made available to calm down the panic with posters sitting in damp and cold houses being afraid to switch the heating on because other posters on here are whipping up fear.

Thinking on this some more, what I think might also be useful is some clear information about relative costs of other stuff like putting the lights on or running the hoover, shower, hairdryer, kettle etc.

I know there was some discussion of this earlier in the year but recent threads would suggest that some people are out there making life needlessly hard for themselves.

This sounds like a good idea

Hi @PerkingFaintly - thanks for suggesting this. It looks like there are a lot of us who could benefit from some advice. Do you have anyone in mind who'd fit the bill?

I have been experimenting. I have decided just anecdotally not measured it that heating the whole house permanently means the boiler fires up less.

If I don’t heat a room, it’s drawing heat and the boiler is clicking on constantly. Same if I let it drop and do set times, then the boilers on for hours heating the home up again rather than just clicking on for a few minutes and off again.

But would be nice if this is confirmed as correct. Because really I have no idea and making this up as I go along!

I'll PM you some leads, @JoMumsnet , but alas I don't have anyone specific on tap.

LemonSwan, can you easily read your gas meter?

If so, you could chose two periods of 24 hours where everything else is fairly equal (outdoor temp, number of showers/baths, amount of gas cooker use) and take readings to compare your two methods, ie house always warm vs house only warm at some periods.

Take the readings at the beginning and end of the 24 hours, because just a 2-hour period in the middle, say, might be misleading.

Martin Lewis?

Piglet John!!!!!

A panel? The issues are all so interlinked.

@pigletjohn