Running a central heating system

[slid_away]

Hi All
Just got my Nov-Feb gas heating bill, it's not pretty!! I was talking to a couple of friends of mine about it and they asked how i run it.
I have the heating come on about 6.30am and go off around 8.30am, it then stays off until 3.30pm and goes off around 9.30pm. They say it will be much cheaper for me to have it on constant at around 18 degrees, 24-7. When they told me the price of their bills , both of theirs was half of mine.
Is this really the cheapest way to heat your home as the thought of leaving my heating on all the time fills me with dread!!
Thanks

[madmaggot]

It's possibly more about the size of house and quality of insulation; 18 degrees sounds reasonable.

[slid_away]

They both have a similar size house to myself.

[slid_away]

I can't help thinking though that it will still cost as much

[madmaggot]

I don't really think that leaving it on 24/7 is the best way to save money.
Does the boiler need a service?
Does it need to be replaced with a more efficient one?
Is there any air in your rads?
Are you well insulated?
Are your rads very old or the new efficient ones?

Regarding heating on overnight; personally, I would be far too hot with the heating on at night. And, I like the window to be open so the heat would go straight outside.

[WILLWONKER]

i f its an up to date boiler then i think leaving it on during the day at 17 keeps the chill off and then turn up when you get home from work but not during the night, and only have it at 17 during the day if its freezing day and night like it has been, thats what i have done and the boiler does not have to work so hard, but you do need to have a
efficient boiler