Browse Forums Heating, Cooling & Insulation 1 Jul 02, 2010 12:03 pm We recently moved into our newly constructed home. Previously I have lived in houses with wood heating or small electric heating units. In our new home we got a Brivis gas zoned ducted heating and I'm a little worried about our first bill that its going to be through the roof. My question is when we go to work for the whole day do we switch the heating completely off and then turn it back on when we get home in the evening or do we leave it on but turn it down to the lowest temp and then turn it up when we get home? Help please, I am very new to this.... Re: How to keep running costs of ducted heating down? 2Jul 02, 2010 12:30 pm When we first moved to our present house we left the heating on all night thinking it would be nice and warm for the morning. Well yes it was but boy was the bill high. We now turn it off at night and when we go out. it heats up in no time. Also if you have zoned heating just put it on the living areas during the day if needed and bedrooms a bit before going to bed and then turn it all off when you go to bed. You will get the hang of it all soon. Read the manual for zoning if you have it. It takes a little while to follow it all. A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands. Melbourne West Our build viewtopic.php?f=31&t=34169 Landscaping viewtopic.php?f=19&t=51147 Re: How to keep running costs of ducted heating down? 3Jul 02, 2010 1:42 pm The amount of heat to get it from freezing to comfortable is small compared to the energy required to maintain the house at a constant temperature. Running it just for an hour might take three times as much energy as getting it up to the right temperature after returning home. Importantly close doors to rooms not in use. Other things to reduce heat bills: 1) Eliminate draughts - up to 20% improvement 2) Insulate ceiling/walls - up to 50% improvement 3) Make sure there are no hot air leaks in to the roof space in the ducting, manifold or around the grilles - up to 10% improvement 4) Ensure the return air vent is sucking in cold air from an open or leaky door or window - up to 10% improvement 5) Turn thermostat down 1 degree - 10% savings Re: How to keep running costs of ducted heating down? 4Jul 21, 2010 11:56 am Does your thermostat have a timer function? I recently had to replace our thermostat, so i got a programmable one for about $80 (cost price because the heating guy said it was fine the first time.) Its in the top 5 best changes we've made. Weekdays I have it set to turn on at 5:30am (from ambient to 18°) turns off at 6:30 because i should have left for work by then. Then it is on a timer to turn on at 6:00pm (ambient to 18° again) until 9pm. The Wife manually adjusts it during that day when she is home and it automatically runs for 3 hours if you adjust the temp using the temporary setting.(any change that isn't programmed) Weekend is similar only later start time in the morning (about 7ish) and it only runs for 1 hour, then we adjust it during the day. There is no need to heat (or cool) your house if you're not in it, but its nice to be able to come home to a warm home after a cold day outside. Keep you thermostat between 18° and 21° and you'll keep costs down. GDH is cheap but a jumper is free as you probably have them already. Same with cooling, try to pick a comfortable temperature in relation to the outside temp. I'd love my house to be 22° in summer but 27 is fine if its 35 outside. I generally just go outside for a minute or so to remind my self of the alternative 2 6197 Hi all I am looking to run a water line under my concrete footpath which is directly next to my home, was seeing if this is possible without cutting the entire section… 0 20189 How long is a "long period"? For a few weeks, it should be ok. It also depends on the area you live in...I would let your neighbours know that you will be away too and… 1 28576 |