ᐅ Gas condensing boiler with underfloor heating – hot water timing settings
Created on: 9 May 2014 11:29
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diamondHello everyone,
We use a gas condensing boiler combined with solar thermal panels for hot water preparation and underfloor heating. Since we haven’t had an official heating system briefing yet and opinions tend to differ, I have a few questions.
We both work full-time and are not at home from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Hot water is needed for about one hour in the morning and then again from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Is it advisable to control the system based on these times, or not? I have heard different opinions and would like to know what you think.
The solar thermal system should, of course, heat water when the sun is shining but should the gas boiler also heat the water during cloudy weather, especially when we are not at home?
And what about the required temperature for hot water? Is 45°C (113°F) sufficient, or should it be set to 60°C (140°F)?
Lots of questions^^
Maybe you can help me out.
We use a gas condensing boiler combined with solar thermal panels for hot water preparation and underfloor heating. Since we haven’t had an official heating system briefing yet and opinions tend to differ, I have a few questions.
We both work full-time and are not at home from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Hot water is needed for about one hour in the morning and then again from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Is it advisable to control the system based on these times, or not? I have heard different opinions and would like to know what you think.
The solar thermal system should, of course, heat water when the sun is shining but should the gas boiler also heat the water during cloudy weather, especially when we are not at home?
And what about the required temperature for hot water? Is 45°C (113°F) sufficient, or should it be set to 60°C (140°F)?
Lots of questions^^
Maybe you can help me out.
In theory, a small amount of energy can be saved by not heating water when it is not needed. However, modern buffer tanks are so well insulated that the savings will be minimal. If you have a circulation line, it is more effective to switch off the circulation during these times.
In practice, though, people are sometimes unexpectedly at home and, for various reasons, may shower at different times of the day. Do you really remember to switch off the hot water preparation every time? And then you end up standing under a lukewarm shower. That’s not very enjoyable.
A temperature of 45°C (113°F) is completely sufficient. Yes, yes – the dreaded Legionella.
In practice, though, people are sometimes unexpectedly at home and, for various reasons, may shower at different times of the day. Do you really remember to switch off the hot water preparation every time? And then you end up standing under a lukewarm shower. That’s not very enjoyable.
A temperature of 45°C (113°F) is completely sufficient. Yes, yes – the dreaded Legionella.
Yes, Legionella!
Bacteria that did not only emerge in the 19th century, are not limited to developing countries, and do not only cause mild illnesses that take you out of action for just 2-3 days.
Simply look it up yourself and decide whether maintaining 60°C (140°F) might be the safer option.
Bacteria that did not only emerge in the 19th century, are not limited to developing countries, and do not only cause mild illnesses that take you out of action for just 2-3 days.
Simply look it up yourself and decide whether maintaining 60°C (140°F) might be the safer option.
Umbau-Susi10 May 2014 07:20Our system heats up to 75 degrees Celsius (167 degrees Fahrenheit) once a week. This is set by the manufacturer for legionella prevention. I thought this was standard for all modern heating systems?
Sylvia
Sylvia
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Bauexperte10 May 2014 07:47Hello Sylvia,
This is now only the case with older systems. The latest generation (which we also install) no longer requires this heating cycle, since the hot water is heated as it passes through a stainless steel corrugated pipe inside the thermal storage tank.
Best regards, Bauexperte
Computersylvia schrieb:
Our system heats up to 75 degrees once a week. This is factory-set for legionella prevention. I thought this was standard for all modern heating systems?
This is now only the case with older systems. The latest generation (which we also install) no longer requires this heating cycle, since the hot water is heated as it passes through a stainless steel corrugated pipe inside the thermal storage tank.
Best regards, Bauexperte
First of all, thank you for your replies! Since there is naturally no internet yet in the new house (ah), apologies for the delayed response.
@Bauexperte, does this new technology ensure protection against Legionella, or is it still necessary to heat to a higher temperature once a week? And what would you say, is it worth setting a timer for the hot water or not?
@waldorf, thanks also for your input. You are probably not entirely wrong, but such situations are really very rare here. During holiday periods and so on, a different regulation could be applied then. I would be interested in the approximate range of savings. Especially without previous experience, since it is a new build, you tend to be a bit anxious about the first billing and want to do everything possible to ensure it turns out “positive.”
Yes, it is all quite exciting.
@Bauexperte, does this new technology ensure protection against Legionella, or is it still necessary to heat to a higher temperature once a week? And what would you say, is it worth setting a timer for the hot water or not?
@waldorf, thanks also for your input. You are probably not entirely wrong, but such situations are really very rare here. During holiday periods and so on, a different regulation could be applied then. I would be interested in the approximate range of savings. Especially without previous experience, since it is a new build, you tend to be a bit anxious about the first billing and want to do everything possible to ensure it turns out “positive.”
Yes, it is all quite exciting.
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