The price of gas has risen in recent years, so any savings can directly impact the household budget. How gas consumption can be reduced already during the installation of the system, and later during its exploitation. Why regular maintenance of the gas boiler is important
Gas heating is one of the cleanest and most comfortable ways of heating. In previous years, gas was cheaper, making it one of the most cost-effective solutions. Today, gas is no longer the most affordable energy source in USA. As with any heating system, there are several ways to reduce costs, and many of the tips mentioned also apply to other heating systems.
Choose modern and high-quality heating devices
If you are planning to connect to the gas network, thoroughly research the available devices. The well-known advice – buy quality equipment – may sound a bit “worn out”, but when it comes to gas heating, it carries weight. The quality of the boiler and other equipment greatly affects energy consumption.
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This means that savings in the initial investment of a few hundred dollars can, over the years, significantly increase costs through higher gas consumption.
It is certainly recommended to buy condensing gas boilers that maximize fuel energy utilization. They are more expensive, but during exploitation, they pay off several times through lower gas consumption. Learn everything about condensing gas boilers and how they achieve gas energy efficiency above 100 percent HERE.
The room thermostat is the last place for savings
The room thermostat is one of the most important elements of a gas heating system, and energy consumption greatly depends on it. There are cases where the system even operates without a room thermostat. In that case, the gas boiler has no information about the temperature in the apartment, so it often operates unnecessarily, increasing gas consumption.
A thermostat is not only necessary as such, but it also needs to be very high quality and precise. Classic mechanical thermostats are quite imprecise and should be avoided. Modern digital thermostats are much more sensitive to temperature changes, thus managing boiler operation more precisely, leading to significant savings.
Compared to the rest of the investment, the cost of a thermostat is negligible, but its importance is great, so the thermostat is the last item to skimp on. Installing modern thermostats allows for adjusting operating parameters, such as setting the system to lower the temperature by a few degrees at night or when you are at work.
Reducing the temperature from 70 degrees Fahrenheit to 63 degrees during the eight hours you are at work can result in significant energy savings.
Lower the temperature in the accumulation boiler
If you use gas to heat sanitary hot water, there is another opportunity to achieve additional savings, not just during the heating season but throughout the year. If the sanitary water is only used for showering, feel free to lower its temperature to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
Maintaining the sanitary water temperature unnecessarily high at 160 Fahrenheit, just because you might need hot water at some point, increases system operating costs and gas consumption. The lower the water temperature in the accumulation boiler, the lower the gas consumption.
Regular system maintenance is key to efficiency
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding regular servicing of the gas boiler. Regular servicing is important not only to preserve the warranty but also to impact consumption. During each regular service, the burner and heat exchanger are inspected and cleaned, which later contributes to lower gas consumption.
Install thermostatic radiator valves on radiators
Thermostatic valves, popularly known as thermo heads, can significantly contribute to reducing gas consumption. For example, if the temperature in the living room is set to 72 degrees, you can regulate the temperature in rooms where no one stays using the thermostatic valve.
Learn more about how thermostatic valves can help you reduce heating bills HERE.
Follow general energy-saving rules
In addition to the mentioned ways to reduce gas consumption, there are some general rules that apply to all other energy sources. After installing the gas boiler and installation, insulate the pipes. The boiler is often located in poorly insulated rooms where energy losses occur.
If you insulate all the pipes in the boiler room during the heating season, whether it is a garage, basement, or another auxiliary room, you will notice a lower temperature in that room. This is direct savings because less heat is transferred from the pipes to the room you do not want to heat.
Switching to gas heating implies that the building has a solid level of energy efficiency, i.e., that the facade has adequate insulation. Otherwise, gas consumption can be quite high.
The quality of the windows is also of great importance. If you do not have new quality windows, check the sealing quality. With minimal investments, you can significantly improve the energy efficiency of your windows. Learn more about how to improve window sealing with minimal investments HERE.