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UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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#1
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Pilot light gas consumption?
Out of curiosity I calculated how much gas my boiler pilot light
consumed and took a meter reading at 9pm and again at exactly 9pm the next day. The heating & water have been off all that time with just the boiler pilot light lit. I included the 2 red decimal numbers in the meter readings and in 24hrs it had used 0.18 unit, which over a year is 65.70 units. If my sums are correct (Calorific Value of 39.4) I work that out to be around 2081kWh. Is that amount of consumption about right for a pilot light? On 2p per kwh that would be around £41 a year. The boiler is a Potterton Prima B about 6 years old. |
#2
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John wrote:
Out of curiosity I calculated how much gas my boiler pilot light consumed and took a meter reading at 9pm and again at exactly 9pm the next day. The heating & water have been off all that time with just the boiler pilot light lit. I included the 2 red decimal numbers in the meter readings and in 24hrs it had used 0.18 unit, which over a year is 65.70 units. If my sums are correct (Calorific Value of 39.4) I work that out to be around 2081kWh. Is that amount of consumption about right for a pilot light? On 2p per kwh that would be around £41 a year. The boiler is a Potterton Prima B about 6 years old. http://www.jobnut.co.uk/services/uti...ectricity.html says 3-5/month, so it sounds like you're bang on. Ben |
#3
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"John" wrote in message ... Out of curiosity I calculated how much gas my boiler pilot light consumed and took a meter reading at 9pm and again at exactly 9pm the next day. The heating & water have been off all that time with just the boiler pilot light lit. I included the 2 red decimal numbers in the meter readings and in 24hrs it had used 0.18 unit, which over a year is 65.70 units. If my sums are correct (Calorific Value of 39.4) I work that out to be around 2081kWh. Is that amount of consumption about right for a pilot light? On 2p per kwh that would be around £41 a year. The boiler is a Potterton Prima B about 6 years old. Some friends of mine had their gas meter run out of money on a regular basis (and electric) The meter let through enough gas for a pilot light. They always had a kettle over the pilot light on the stove or a pan of stew, they lived like that for years, so yes even a tiny flame is a significant number of btus per year. mrcheerful |
#4
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In article ,
John wrote: Out of curiosity I calculated how much gas my boiler pilot light consumed and took a meter reading at 9pm and again at exactly 9pm the next day. The heating & water have been off all that time with just the boiler pilot light lit. I included the 2 red decimal numbers in the meter readings and in 24hrs it had used 0.18 unit, which over a year is 65.70 units. If my sums are correct (Calorific Value of 39.4) I work that out to be around 2081kWh. Is that amount of consumption about right for a pilot light? On 2p per kwh that would be around £41 a year. The boiler is a Potterton Prima B about 6 years old. Remember not all that energy is wasted unless you never use the boiler. Some of it will go towards keeping the heat exchanger warm, and in cold weather help to heat the room. -- *How about "never"? Is "never" good for you? Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
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On Thu, 1 Sep 2005 11:04:28 UTC, Ben Blaukopf
wrote: John wrote: Out of curiosity I calculated how much gas my boiler pilot light consumed and took a meter reading at 9pm and again at exactly 9pm the next day. The heating & water have been off all that time with just the boiler pilot light lit. I included the 2 red decimal numbers in the meter readings and in 24hrs it had used 0.18 unit, which over a year is 65.70 units. If my sums are correct (Calorific Value of 39.4) I work that out to be around 2081kWh. Is that amount of consumption about right for a pilot light? On 2p per kwh that would be around œ41 a year. The boiler is a Potterton Prima B about 6 years old. http://www.jobnut.co.uk/services/uti...ectricity.html It may be old and due for replacement, but there's something to be said for a Netaheat! -- The information contained in this post is copyright the poster, and specifically may not be published in, or used by http://laminateflooring.oncloud8.com |
#6
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In article ,
Bob Eager wrote: The boiler is a Potterton Prima B about 6 years old. It may be old and due for replacement, but there's something to be said for a Netaheat! I'm surprised to find any boiler this recent using a permanent pilot light. -- *Does fuzzy logic tickle? * Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
#7
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Dave Plowman (News) wrote: that out to be around 2081kWh. Is that amount of consumption about right for a pilot light? On 2p per kwh that would be around =A341 a yea= r=2E The boiler is a Potterton Prima B about 6 years old. Remember not all that energy is wasted unless you never use the boiler. Some of it will go towards keeping the heat exchanger warm, and in cold weather help to heat the room. The same is true of all the "wasted" energy from all those filament light bulbs, TV and video left on standby, wall warts left plugged in and switched on, etc, etc. If you really want to save energy, turn the thermostat down or wear an extra layer of clothing. MBQ |
#8
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On Thu, 01 Sep 2005 12:04:28 +0100, Ben Blaukopf wrote:
John wrote: Out of curiosity I calculated how much gas my boiler pilot light consumed and took a meter reading at 9pm and again at exactly 9pm the next day. The heating & water have been off all that time with just the boiler pilot light lit. I included the 2 red decimal numbers in the meter readings and in 24hrs it had used 0.18 unit, which over a year is 65.70 units. If my sums are correct (Calorific Value of 39.4) I work that out to be around 2081kWh. Is that amount of consumption about right for a pilot light? On 2p per kwh that would be around £41 a year. The boiler is a Potterton Prima B about 6 years old. http://www.jobnut.co.uk/services/uti...ectricity.html says 3-5/month, so it sounds like you're bang on. around 240W - plausible. -- Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter. The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html |
#9
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On Thu, 01 Sep 2005 13:34:02 +0100, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article , John wrote: Out of curiosity I calculated how much gas my boiler pilot light consumed and took a meter reading at 9pm and again at exactly 9pm the next day. The heating & water have been off all that time with just the boiler pilot light lit. I included the 2 red decimal numbers in the meter readings and in 24hrs it had used 0.18 unit, which over a year is 65.70 units. If my sums are correct (Calorific Value of 39.4) I work that out to be around 2081kWh. Is that amount of consumption about right for a pilot light? On 2p per kwh that would be around £41 a year. The boiler is a Potterton Prima B about 6 years old. Remember not all that energy is wasted unless you never use the boiler. Some of it will go towards keeping the heat exchanger warm, and in cold weather help to heat the room. I reckon on this being allowed for in comparisons. The 'book' figure for a permanent pilot is a -5% on the SEDBUK rating of the boiler. -- Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter. The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html |
#11
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In message , Bob Eager
writes On Thu, 1 Sep 2005 11:04:28 UTC, Ben Blaukopf wrote: John wrote: Out of curiosity I calculated how much gas my boiler pilot light consumed and took a meter reading at 9pm and again at exactly 9pm the next day. The heating & water have been off all that time with just the boiler pilot light lit. I included the 2 red decimal numbers in the meter readings and in 24hrs it had used 0.18 unit, which over a year is 65.70 units. If my sums are correct (Calorific Value of 39.4) I work that out to be around 2081kWh. Is that amount of consumption about right for a pilot light? On 2p per kwh that would be around Å“41 a year. The boiler is a Potterton Prima B about 6 years old. http://www.jobnut.co.uk/services/uti...ectricity.html It may be old and due for replacement, but there's something to be said for a Netaheat! The Prima does have an electronic ignition version too (it uses the same control as the Profile) -- geoff |
#12
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In message , "Dave Plowman (News)"
writes In article , Bob Eager wrote: The boiler is a Potterton Prima B about 6 years old. It may be old and due for replacement, but there's something to be said for a Netaheat! I'm surprised to find any boiler this recent using a permanent pilot light. The Potterton Puma (which is also not so long in the tooth) has a PP as well as an electronic version -- geoff |
#13
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"Ed Sirett" wrote in message
news On Thu, 01 Sep 2005 12:04:28 +0100, Ben Blaukopf wrote: John wrote: that out to be around 2081kWh. Is that amount of consumption about right for a pilot light? On 2p per kwh that would be around £41 a year. The boiler is a Potterton Prima B about 6 years old. http://www.jobnut.co.uk/services/uti...ectricity.html says 3-5/month, so it sounds like you're bang on. around 240W - plausible. Well I'm due a boiler service soon so I'll ask them to give the pilot light a good once over and to check that the flame is within the manufacturers spec. That might save me a fiver a year which I can put towards a litre of petrol |
#14
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On Thu, 1 Sep 2005 11:26:59 +0100, "John"
wrote: Out of curiosity I calculated how much gas my boiler pilot light consumed and took a meter reading at 9pm and again at exactly 9pm the next day. The heating & water have been off all that time with just the boiler pilot light lit. I included the 2 red decimal numbers in the meter readings and in 24hrs it had used 0.18 unit, which over a year is 65.70 units. If my sums are correct (Calorific Value of 39.4) I work that out to be around 2081kWh. Is that amount of consumption about right for a pilot light? On 2p per kwh that would be around £41 a year. The boiler is a Potterton Prima B about 6 years old. Over 15 years that could pay for a condensing boiler.... cheers, Pete. |
#15
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In article ,
Pete C wrote: Out of curiosity I calculated how much gas my boiler pilot light consumed and took a meter reading at 9pm and again at exactly 9pm the next day. The heating & water have been off all that time with just the boiler pilot light lit. I included the 2 red decimal numbers in the meter readings and in 24hrs it had used 0.18 unit, which over a year is 65.70 units. If my sums are correct (Calorific Value of 39.4) I work that out to be around 2081kWh. Is that amount of consumption about right for a pilot light? On 2p per kwh that would be around £41 a year. The boiler is a Potterton Prima B about 6 years old. Over 15 years that could pay for a condensing boiler.... But the calculation is flawed by making it at this time of the year with the boiler not in use. For the 6 months or so of the year when the heating is needed - or it's used for just heating hot water - all that energy won't be wasted. There's probably a diversity calculation that takes this into account. -- *Wrinkled was not one of the things I wanted to be when I grew up Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
#16
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"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
But the calculation is flawed by making it at this time of the year with the boiler not in use. For the 6 months or so of the year when the heating is needed - or it's used for just heating hot water - all that energy won't be wasted. There's probably a diversity calculation that takes this into account. Ah, so during the time the boiler is in use the pilot light will be going towards heating the boiler and not wasted. Now I feel a whole lot better, cheers. |
#17
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In article ,
John wrote: But the calculation is flawed by making it at this time of the year with the boiler not in use. For the 6 months or so of the year when the heating is needed - or it's used for just heating hot water - all that energy won't be wasted. There's probably a diversity calculation that takes this into account. Ah, so during the time the boiler is in use the pilot light will be going towards heating the boiler and not wasted. Now I feel a whole lot better, cheers. Even when the boiler isn't actually firing, some of the energy from the pilot light will help keep the water inside it warm for when it next does. However, it's a less than ideal device. Obviously, some means of lighting the boiler on demand should be better. Assuming it has a long life and doesn't cost more in replacements than the energy it saves. ;-) My real point is that some adverts quote the sort of figures you did and suggest you'll get those savings without one. Drivel would be proud of them. -- *Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker? * Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
#18
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On Fri, 02 Sep 2005 15:00:08 +0100, "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote: In article , Pete C wrote: Out of curiosity I calculated how much gas my boiler pilot light consumed and took a meter reading at 9pm and again at exactly 9pm the next day. The heating & water have been off all that time with just the boiler pilot light lit. I included the 2 red decimal numbers in the meter readings and in 24hrs it had used 0.18 unit, which over a year is 65.70 units. If my sums are correct (Calorific Value of 39.4) I work that out to be around 2081kWh. Is that amount of consumption about right for a pilot light? On 2p per kwh that would be around £41 a year. The boiler is a Potterton Prima B about 6 years old. Over 15 years that could pay for a condensing boiler.... But the calculation is flawed by making it at this time of the year with the boiler not in use. For the 6 months or so of the year when the heating is needed - or it's used for just heating hot water - all that energy won't be wasted. There's probably a diversity calculation that takes this into account. What happens when the pump is running but the boiler isn't firing on an old style boiler, I'd have thought there are convection losses up the flue? Maybe worth another condensing boiler over 15 years... cheers, Pete. |
#19
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On Sat, 03 Sep 2005 19:54:09 +0100, Pete C wrote:
On Fri, 02 Sep 2005 15:00:08 +0100, "Dave Plowman (News)" wrote: In article , Pete C wrote: Out of curiosity I calculated how much gas my boiler pilot light consumed and took a meter reading at 9pm and again at exactly 9pm the next day. The heating & water have been off all that time with just the boiler pilot light lit. I included the 2 red decimal numbers in the meter readings and in 24hrs it had used 0.18 unit, which over a year is 65.70 units. If my sums are correct (Calorific Value of 39.4) I work that out to be around 2081kWh. Is that amount of consumption about right for a pilot light? On 2p per kwh that would be around £41 a year. The boiler is a Potterton Prima B about 6 years old. Over 15 years that could pay for a condensing boiler.... But the calculation is flawed by making it at this time of the year with the boiler not in use. For the 6 months or so of the year when the heating is needed - or it's used for just heating hot water - all that energy won't be wasted. There's probably a diversity calculation that takes this into account. What happens when the pump is running but the boiler isn't firing on an old style boiler, I'd have thought there are convection losses up the flue? Maybe worth another condensing boiler over 15 years... For sure. This is the biggest _single_ item in the older designs that impacts efficiency. -- Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter. The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html |
#20
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Dave Plowman (News) through a haze of senile flatulence wrote:
In article , Pete C wrote: Out of curiosity I calculated how much gas my boiler pilot light consumed and took a meter reading at 9pm and again at exactly 9pm the next day. The heating & water have been off all that time with just the boiler pilot light lit. I included the 2 red decimal numbers in the meter readings and in 24hrs it had used 0.18 unit, which over a year is 65.70 units. If my sums are correct (Calorific Value of 39.4) I work that out to be around 2081kWh. Is that amount of consumption about right for a pilot light? On 2p per kwh that would be around £41 a year. The boiler is a Potterton Prima B about 6 years old. Over 15 years that could pay for a condensing boiler.... Yep. But the calculation is flawed by making it at this time of the year with the boiler not in use. For the 6 months or so of the year when the heating is needed - or it's used for just heating hot water - all that energy won't be wasted. There's probably a diversity calculation that takes this into account. 8760 hours in a year. A boiler is firing for about 10% of that time, if that. So, 90% of the time the pilot is not needed and a waste heating the outside, and adds nothing. So, £37 per year for 10 years is £370, probably a lot more as gas goes up in price. Which more than pays for a condensing boiler. Anyway you have to fit condensers anyway. |
#21
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Is it possible to convert a satanding pilot to an electronic type?
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#22
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Pilot light gas consumption?
"jackpona" wrote in message ... Is it possible to convert a satanding pilot to an electronic type? Yes but without design approval and testing its illegal |
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