Has Central Heating

[Scarlett]

My flat seems too hot at the moment; I have the thermostat on 20 and the heating on all day. I thought that this would mean that the radiators would be lukewarm and only come on when it gets cold - but they are on all day. If I switch it to auto it seems to take a long time and lots of effort to get the flat warm, before it goes off again. In the current climate of around 12 degrees, what's the best and most efficient way for me to work my heating?!

[murraymints]

turn thermostat down to around 18....20 is too high for me too a constant 18 is comfortable...

[Old_Geezer]

Radiators are either on or off. Only lukewarm when warming up or cooling down.

20°C seems cool to me. If it takes ages to warm the room then maybe your room has draughts.

[murraymints]

20 cool ? ..you Walter Softies in the South ! lol.....

[Gizmonster]

Mine is set at 18 degrees as well :)

[The Builder]

Scarlett, a good system would have TRVs (thermostatic rad valves) on each radiator.
Setting the wall stat simply gets the pump going when the stat is feeling cold, regardless of the temperature in other rooms.

Ideally, set the stat as high as you like... say, 21 degrees. Then control each rad individually from its TRV.

[murraymints]

I do that buider..some rooms get heat blasted by south facing windows !

[jomifl]

As builder hinted , the position of the thermostat is critical, if it is in an unheated hallway and the doors are closed then it will not be controlling the temperature in the living room. The temperaure indicated on the thermostat may not be accurate even if it is in the living room. turn it dowittle by little to get the temperature that you are happy with.

[Scarlett]

Thank you. Will it use more energy if I leave it in all day of if it goes off at 8.30am and comes on again at 4, but has to start from cold each time?

[gingejbee]

As far as room temp is concerned....I find that it depends on what you're doing. 22-23C if sitting reading, watching TV etc....but 17-18C if moving about, in and out etc.

[bhg481]

Leaving it on all day is most expensive.

[jomifl]

It will use more energy if you leave it on all day but turning it off during the day will mean that when you do turn it on you will get convection draughts from the colder parts of the house. Whether these will feel chilly depends on many factors such as insulation, how many exterior walls are involved etc. I would suggest a compromise by turning it down about 5 degrees when you are out all day and seeing how it feels, if it is OK turn it down another couple of degrees and so on.