What Is The Best Temperature To Set Your Heating Oil Boiler At?

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Finding the best temperature to set your central heating oil boiler can be quite the challenge. Your preferred oil-fired boiler settings may be significantly different from the next person’s because of varying hot water requirements and fluctuating exterior temperatures. To determine the best boiler temperature, it helps to know what central heating boiler type you have and the usual temperature settings in your home.

Read on to know the recommendations so you can efficiently heat your home.

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Common Types Of Central Heating Boilers

Before you try to make boiler temperature adjustments, it is helpful that you understand the type of central heating boiler you have in your home and how it operates.

Combination Boilers

Shortened to combi boilers, combination boilers are a popular option for central heating as a single unit provides heating and hot water. The cold water from the home’s main water supply is fed into the combi boiler. The boiler then combusts fuel to generate heat. The heat exchanger transfers this heat to the water from the combustion chamber. Combi boilers can heat water quickly because they utilize oil or gas.

It is a more compact type of boiler than others as they don’t need space for a separate water tank. Therefore, they are recommended for use if you have a small property. Although one unit can provide both hot water and heating, combi boilers cannot direct hot water to the central heating and the faucet at the same time. Let’s say someone in your family turns on the tap while the central heating is on. The boiler will then temporarily redirect the hot water to the water outlet while it’s on.

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Regular Or Conventional Boilers

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Also known as heat-only or conventional boilers, regular boilers are made of three parts. These parts are the boiler, a separate tank for cold water storage, and a separate cylinder for hot water storage. The cold water tank is usually placed in a loft space or the attic as it utilizes gravity to fill the boiler. The boiler heats water, which is then put directly into the central heating system’s radiators. The hot water cylinder is filled as well, so hot water is available when needed.

A conventional boiler best fits a larger property. It is also your best bet if you own a home with several bathrooms or if the main water supply has low pressure. Although regular boilers use up more space, their separate water tanks can simultaneously supply heating and hot water.

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System Boilers

System boilers can supply hot water on demand via their hot water cylinder and heated water to the radiators, much like regular boilers. This type of boiler is only made up of two parts: the boiler and hot water cylinder. The home’s main water supply dispenses water into the boiler, so there is no need for a separate cold water tank.

This boiler type is ideal for large properties that require high amounts of hot water. They use less space and have more flexible installation options compared to regular boilers as they have a lot of internal parts. Moreover, system boilers need space for their hot water cylinder. If the main supply has low water pressure, the flow rate around your home will reflect this.

 

Central Heating Boiler Temperature Settings

Your central heating boiler shouldn’t be set at a single temperature. Some variables that influence the temperature you should set your boiler at are personal preference and the weather. The ideal situation is adjusting the boiler temperature within a specific range to not overheat the boiler.

Recommended Boiler Temperature Settings

homeowner adjusting temperature of boiler

The central heating water and the hot water cylinder’s temperature settings differ from one another. Adjust the temperature settings of your boiler to high or low as the weather gets warmer and colder. After all, the summer calls for low boiler temperatures while the winter suits higher boiler temperatures to have a more efficient and comfortable home. The usual low-temperature settings are within the 120-160 degrees Fahrenheit range, and high-temperature settings are between 180-200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Try to stay at approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit at the highest if you need to have warm temperatures. Your boiler will overheat when the temperatures rise over 212 degrees. You do not want this to happen as it can lead to the boiler leaking or bursting.

On the other hand, your hot water cylinder’s temperature setting will likely remain unchanged throughout the year. The best temperature to set your hot water cylinder in is within 140-150 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the boiler water temperatures don’t get too low for health and safety reasons. This is because the Legionella bacteria grow in freshwater that has a temperature between 77-112 degrees Fahrenheit. This bacteria can put your family at risk of contracting a type of pneumonia or Legionnaires’ disease. According to the CDC, the water temperature of your heating cylinder should be kept above 124 degrees at the very least.

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Tips For Boiler Energy Efficiency

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Utilize the temperature controls of your home for efficient home heating and optimum energy efficiency. Installing programmable thermostats and individual thermostats in each room means you have more precise control over the temperatures of every room in your home. For instance, you can set cooler temperatures in the bedroom than in other rooms so that you’ll have a relaxing and healthy night of sleep.

Smart thermostats also let you adjust the temperatures in your home automatically. It also allows remote access via your smartphone. These features mean that you can reduce heat consumption even if you aren’t at home. Setting the boiler to fluctuate four to five degrees throughout various periods of the day will help in efficient home heating. A cooler temperature setting when no one is home also helps you become more cost-effective.

 

Call Lawes Company for All Your HVAC Needs

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Lawes Company provides the best HVAC services in the Monmouth and Ocean Counties, New Jersey region. We are composed of highly qualified technicians who can give you satisfying outcomes for repairs, replacements, installations, and tune-ups. Everyone in our team is capable of delivering effective solutions for your heating and cooling equipment.

Lawes Company makes it a point to keep service costs competitive. You are sure to get good value for your money. We offer maintenance services to boost your system’s energy efficiency, increase your comfort, and lower your utility bills. We can also repair or replace systems depending on the situation. For the latter, we can point you to a modern unit that matches your household needs. Every service is backed by a satisfaction guarantee so you can deal with us with utmost confidence.

In addition, we are proud to offer trusted and affordable heating oil deliveries. We are known for our fast and reliable services.  We offer different heating oil plans and financing options as a way to customize your fuel deliveries to meet your needs. Be sure to contact Lawes Company today to ask for more information or request service.

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