We are getting ready for another cold front to arrive. I can never figure out what is easier on the gas boiler, to turn it down during a cold front so it runs less or leave it at one temperature so it stays steady. Its a very small house about the size of a large one bedroom apartment which is heated by a gas boiler forcing hot water. The house temp right now is 68 degrees. I've lived in the south most of my advice so any advice on what is best for the boiler would be helpful. Thank you.
Anonymous2014-01-18T09:42:48Z
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It depends on whether your goal is to stay comfortable or to save money on gas. If you want the temp to remain at 68, keep it set at that. It will run more and use more gas. If you reduce the setting on the thermostat it will save money but you'll also be colder. Maybe the compromise would be to buy a portable electric heater to use in the room that you spend most of the time in. A good one costs around $40 and will keep the average room very comfortable without raising your electric bill much at all.
If you have a thermostat on the boiler and time it so it's off when you are not home, it makes more sense to raise the temperature on the boiler, so that the house takes less time to heat up in a cold snap. It costs a bit more but you want to be comfortable. If the water temperature is set low then the boiler will be on for longer because it won't be producing as much heat and the home will take longer to warm up to the set temperature on the room thermostats. If you want to save heat and money, close the curtains and doors, dress warmer and turn down the room thermostats a few degrees.
Set it at a setting that is most comfortable for you. You have to expect a higher heat cost in the winter up north, the same as you need to expect a higher air conditioning cost in the summer down south.
your indoor temp is more dependent on outside wind, if its -20 with no wind then the boiler should just do its thing and keep you warm.................if its -20 with 50mph winds then the wind is creating a suction on ur pad.. sucking your heat and cash out with it as it goes by...turn it up, and hopefully u have enough btu to keep u warm.