Gas usage with Hopusewarmer economy 44 boiler

[camerart]

Hi,
I have a Housewarmer economy 44 back boiler 1986. It keeps heating the house and water, so I leave well alone.
I was away for a few weeks, so switched it off, but it has a pilot light. My son read the meter for a week, and the gas consumption was 3 cubic meters. This seems far to much, what do you think?
Camerart.

 

[martygturner]

Is that 3 m3 in a week or 3 m3 over the time you were away ?

You can away turn off the pilot light when you are away, can be a faff to turn back on.

 

[oldbuffer]

1. Are you sure the meter is cubic meters or is it cubic feet?
2. No other gas appliance (e.g. hob) used during the measurement week?
3. Photograph of meter would be useful.
4. A 38 year old back boiler would be lucky to have an efficiency of 50%. You might want to do the cost / benefit calculation for updating to a condensing boiler.
5. A doubt you can get any parts for a boiler that old, so your "leave well alone" approach is very prudent.

 

[Johntheo5]

Hi,
I have a Housewarmer economy 44 back boiler 1986. It keeps heating the house and water, so I leave well alone.
I was away for a few weeks, so switched it off, but it has a pilot light. My son read the meter for a week, and the gas consumption was 3 cubic meters. This seems far to much, what do you think?
Camerart.

Sounds about right, 33 watts/hr, 3x11x1000/7/24

 

[Madrab]

Not really, a pilot light can use anywhere up to 3 m3 a week, size dependent

 

[fixitflav]

Sounds about right, 33 watts/hr, 3x11x1000/7/24

Not with you. 3x11x1000/7/24 = 196 watt (not watt/hr!). For the OP, the 11 is kWh/m3 gas CV.

Seems a bit high, but could be right for a boiler that old. 196 watt is about 1700 kWh/year, total gas consumption typical say 20000 kWh/year.

Also for 3 m3 in 7 days, with a few broad assumptions I estimate pilot jet diameter 0.5 mm, which could be about right.

 

[Johntheo5]

My calcularor was lying, 196 is the correct figure

 

[fixitflav]

My calcularor was lying, 196 is the correct figure

Blame the machine!