Most common central heating usage questions answered

Central Heating FAQ’S

At Origin, we understand that central heating often poses a list of questions that need to be answered so that your system can operate efficiently. From boiler installation, boiler repairs and emergency plumbing services, our engineers are highly trained and well experienced. We’ve compiled a list of the most commonly asked questions and their answers below to help you save time on calling plumbers for advice.

How much does it cost to put the heating on for an hour?

You can work out how much gas your boiler is using, and how much it costs, by using kW and kWh. A 24kW boiler will use 24kWh of energy per hour. You can use this system to analyse your daily costs and then use that information to break down your hourly costs. 

To calculate electric heating hourly usage we’ve included estimated guidelines below.

Is it cheaper to leave the central heating on low all the time?

The experts at the Energy Saving Trust, the idea of leaving your heating on low constantly to save energy is a myth. If you’re keeping your heating on constantly, you are using energy constantly and therefore wasting energy. It’s better to only have your heating on when you need it.

Is Electric Heating Cheaper Than Gas Heating?

Studies have found the electric heating cost is much cheaper than the gas heating cost—a single kilowatt-hour (kWh) unit of gas costs around 16p. The average hourly price of an electricity kWh is much lower.

Is it Better to Keep Your Central Heating on a Timer?

It is more energy-efficient and much more convenient to leave your heating on a timer. This means that energy will only be used when you need it to heat your home. You can also use a thermostat to turn on and off to keep your home at your desired temperature.

How to set your central heating timer?

A timer allows you to control when your heating goes on and off. This means you can programme your system around the way you use heat in your home. Most programmers are digital and include a screen. This makes it easier to set your timers. Older systems may have a non-digital timer that works by moving ‘tappets’ around a dial. You should be able to find instructions on how to set your thermostat in the user manual provided with your system.

What is the most economical temperature for central heating?

The best way to ensure you’re heating your home economically is to use your central heating thermostat efficiently. Try the lowest acceptable temperature on your thermostat and move it up by one degree at a time to find the acceptable temperature for you. This way, you can ensure you’re not creating and wasting excess heat.

If you require a Gas Safe registered engineer or more advice in the Bearsden, Burnside, Giffnock or surrounding Glasgow areas, contact Origin today. Our engineers are trained to the highest standards and have developed a wealth of outstanding reviews.