Is it really cheaper for me to have central heating on all day than a gas fire?

[hollyoaks777]

I maintain the problem is in your house and is not the boiler To be honest I would go back to what time is sai to be honest I would go back to what Tamz said and actually get some people in to assess your property for its heat and energy efficiency.

How do I get people into access it. What organisation?

 

[gmartine]

I am downstairs now

I've just had a re-read for any clues...although your old flat was smaller was it on a first or second floor above and below other flats whereas now you're on the ground? It can make quite a difference in overall temperature and amount of heat required.

For a proper analysis you need to examine exactly how many units you are using and at what rate. Are you paying a different tariff for your gas because you are in debt? Besides the fact that your new flat is larger do you have any old bills from the old place to make a proper comparision and have you asked your immediate neighbour what they pay because if it's a relatively new gas meter chances are it is okay.

 

[Riley]

Are you housing association or through the council I don't understand how it works in Scotland im afraid that would be my first port of call tell them you have a problem although I just don't understand what you expect them to do. I realise there is a difference in cost to you but I have to say it's not 100% clear exactly what you are trying to achieve now

 

[Riley]

A fight for anything off them no not a boiler, but plumber did say that these type of systems were fitted when the back boiler was behind the fire. And are at least 25 years old even the energy company is bamboozled with the amount of units I used over the year and want £140 to test the meter. As they think the meter maybe at fault.

Also if the meter is up the swanny then they surely can't charge you for that as that's their property

 

[hollyoaks777]

I've just had a re-read for any clues...although your old flat was smaller was it on a first or second floor above and below other flats whereas now you're on the ground? It can make quite a difference in overall temperature and amount of heat required.

It was second floor mate, I know what you are getting at but that doesn't account for my sisters mum's and cousins being up and downstairs and you know what woman are like with their heating. If I had a mrs with me could you imagine the bills!!

 

[hollyoaks777]

Also if the meter is up the swanny then they surely can't charge you for that as that's their property

No I haven't to pay for the test but I don't think they will say it will be wrong they said it's took away to a site stripped apart and not usable again. Doubt they will give me credit for the bills I have been paying. That was never mentioned.

 

[Rickster123]

No I haven't to pay for the test but I don't think they will say it will be wrong they said it's took away to a site stripped apart and not usable again. Doubt they will give me credit for the bills I have been paying. That was never mentioned.

You said they want £140 to test the meter?

 

[gmartine]

It was second floor mate, I know what you are getting at but that doesn't account for my sisters mum's and cousins being up and downstairs and you know what woman are like with their heating. If I had a mrs with me could you imagine the bills!!

Is your sister on the same tariff cos there's no point comparing what you pay to her if you're not and a first or second floor flat is generally warmer than one on the ground floor for obvious reasons.

 

[hollyoaks777]

You said they want £140 to test the meter?

Yes

 

[anz]

Haven't read all the posts but you've already got a condensing boiler, upgrading that wouldn't make much difference.

Older radiators contain a lot if water which needs more energy to heat up - this could be your issue.

Modern, efficient radiators hold a low water content making them heat up quicker and more efficient.

Plus there are other differences between your old and new property, insulation, Windows etc.

And then there is the tariff that your on from you gas supplier, is it the same one as before or have you just been on a standard one.

 

[hollyoaks777]

Haven't read all the posts but you've already got a condensing boiler, upgrading that wouldn't make much difference.

Older radiators contain a lot if water which needs more energy to heat up - this could be your issue.

Modern, efficient radiators hold a low water content making them heat up quicker and more efficient.

Plus there are other differences between your old and new property, insulation, Windows etc.

And then there is the tariff that your on from you gas supplier, is it the same one as before or have you just been on a standard one.

Yes it's just standard tarrif I've been on at both address. I decided earlier tonight I was going to get my meter checked as I put my neighbours gas on full blast and mine. And for the last digit to go round once mine was only 3 seconds slower than hers. And that's me with the radiator off in the back bedroom. And she is up and downstairs with all the radiators on full blast. So I called to get them to do it they don't want to do it. Your meter is fine. Etc. You can't compare properties I said they are built the with the same materials etc. But you can't compare meters or boilers, I said both are A class. And she's got more radiators than me with her being a 3 bedroom house. Nothing is wrong with the meter. Was all I kept getting I said I want it tested it's me that pays for it if I am wrong. Now I have to do meterage checks on Monday with her when she phones before they will agree to test it. Peed off is not the word!

 

[Ric2013]

I'm keeping out of the politics on this one.

To answer the original question as to which is cheaper, it's all very well with theory, but let's be practical.

Learn how to read your gas meter accurately. Most go down to quite a lot more detail than needed for billing purposes. (I once worked out the cost of boiling a pint of water on the stovetop - it was 0.6p). Run your heating for a day and see exactly how much gas you've used. Run your fire for a day and see how much gas you use. Then you'll know which is cheaper.

 

[hollyoaks777]

I'm keeping out of the politics on this one.

To answer the original question as to which is cheaper, it's all very well with theory, but let's be practical.

Learn how to read your gas meter accurately. Most go down to quite a lot more detail than needed for billing purposes. (I once worked out the cost of boiling a pint of water on the stovetop - it was 0.6p). Run your heating for a day and see exactly how much gas you've used. Run your fire for a day and see how much gas you use. Then you'll know which is cheaper.

Oh I know my central heating is cheaper as I lose 40p in the £1 with my gas fire and only 10p in the £1 with my central heating.

 

[Ric2013]

Theoretically, that's true. It also assumes your heating system is running properly. Fitting an efficient boiler to an old system won't necessarily give a greater efficiency though, as the boiler needs to be carefully set up to obtain those efficiencies. But you may also find you get more comfort for your £ from the gas fire.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned it here, but if it IS a condensing boiler, you need to make it run in condensing mode. One way is to run the boiler itself on a low temperature setting the water reaching the radiators get not so hot. Not the same as radiator valve settings. Does the boiler have temperature dials? You may find that by setting them lower and running the heating for longer it gets cheaper. Assuming the installation is half decent.

 

[hollyoaks777]

Theoretically, that's true. It also assumes your heating system is running properly. Fitting an efficient boiler to an old system won't necessarily give a greater efficiency though, as the boiler needs to be carefully set up to obtain those efficiencies. But you may also find you get more comfort for your £ from the gas fire.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned it here, but if it IS a condensing boiler, you need to make it run in condensing mode. One way is to run the boiler itself on a low temperature setting the water reaching the radiators get not so hot. Not the same as radiator valve settings. Does the boiler have temperature dials? You may find that by setting them lower and running the heating for longer it gets cheaper. Assuming the installation is half decent.

These are the dials I have mate. Plumber said they are at the best setting

 

[gmartine]

Can you take a closer clearer picture of the left hand dial.

 

[hollyoaks777]

Can you take a closer clearer picture of the left hand dial.

There you go mate.

 

[tamz]

Yes I am Scottish mate. Does it really stand out in typing?

Yes but i speak the language

 

[tamz]

Also if the meter is up the swanny then they surely can't charge you for that as that's their property

You need to pay up front for a meter test and they reimburse you if it is found to be out.
Gas rating etc is not accurate enough

 

[tamz]

Btw i live in a 2 bed ex coal board bungalow that is stuffed with glass wool and my bills are about £100/month each for gas and electric.
I'm inclined to think the wee woman knows how to hit the plus button on the stat as soon as i walk out the door and i know she loves to cook things in the tumble drier.
If you want someone to blame, blame the government and the save the planets.
Global warming (or should i say climate change ie weather, as the warming stopped a few years back) is the best money making idea ever invented and you're paying for it.
Such is life

 

[hollyoaks777]

Btw i live in a 2 bed ex coal board bungalow that is stuffed with glass wool and my bills are about £100/month each for gas and electric.
I'm inclined to think the wee woman knows how to hit the plus button on the stat as soon as i walk out the door and i know she loves to cook things in the tumble drier.
If you want someone to blame, blame the government and the save the planets.
Global warming (or should i say climate change ie weather, as the warming stopped a few years back) is the best money making idea ever invented and you're paying for it.
Such is life

Yes I can understand that with a woman in the house mate. Their never warm and it has been proved scientifically that woman are colder than men. But it's like the bloody canary islands with them in the house lol.

 

[Dsp]

If this was your own property op would you be spending on the boiler or fire or rads etc or are you only kicking off as you belive you are entitled to it for free as the property isn't yours???
I needs new doors and could do with a new fire but guess what no one is going to pay for them apart from me so I have to live with high energy bills until I can afford to replace them myself

 

[hollyoaks777]

If this was your own property op would you be spending on the boiler or fire or rads etc or are you only kicking off as you belive you are entitled to it for free as the property isn't yours???
I needs new doors and could do with a new fire but guess what no one is going to pay for them apart from me so I have to live with high energy bills until I can afford to replace them myself

I don't quite get your question as it doesn't need new boiler? But does need new radiators. But I will answer it this way, if it was mine I would buy new boiler if needed and radiators asap. To save me the high bills mate. Does that answer your question?

 

[Dsp]

I don't quite get your question as it doesn't need new boiler? But does need new radiators. But I will answer it this way, if it was mine I would buy new boiler if needed and radiators asap. To save me the high bills mate. Does that answer your question?

Then go and buy them and fit them I'm sure the council won't mind it would save them and the state thousands if social housing tenants paid for their own upgrades and repairs

 

[hollyoaks777]

Then go and buy them and fit them I'm sure the council won't mind it would save them and the state thousands if social housing tenants paid for their own upgrades and repairs

I can't afford them and if I could I would keep the old radiators to put back on but I don't know where your getting boiler from as I don't need one. And by the way that's what I had to do in my old house. When I was fit and working the whole street in fact had to do their own repairs unless it was damaged roof or chimney.