from Ray in Chippewa Falls, WI:
#716
We have hydronic radiant heat run by fuel. The temp is kept at 60 degrees during the day. My wife turns the temperature up to 65 when she comes home, and it takes a while to reach that temperature. What is the most efficient way to run this heating system? Are we better off keeping the temp up? What is the minimum time to have temp down to be most efficient?
Try using a programmable thermostat.
The set back is still saving money even though the boiler may need to run a while to bring the temperature back up. If your boiler is unable to bring up the temperature in the amount of time needed for you to be comfortable, try using a programmable thermostat to start heating the home before you get there, or don't set back the thermostat as much.
In heating mode, reducing your thermostat setting by one degree for eight hours will save about one percent on your heating bill. Turn the temperature down more, or leave it down longer and you will save more. Focus on Energy recommends not adjusting the temperature more than 5 degrees for daily and nightly setbacks. Greater variances may not save a substantial amount of energy and may create issues with condensation on windows.