I've been wondering this for a while now. In our house we have the heat set at 62, in order to "save money" but my question is, does it really? When the thermostat is at 62, the heat kicks on when the temp hit 60 or whatever, brings it back to 62, and then shuts off. Now, wouldn't it be the same if it was set at 68? Would it not use the same amount of electricity to put it from say, 66 to 68 as it would from 60 to 62? I know it would obviously use more to get it up to 68, but once it's there, it would be the same, right?
Registered: Apr 2003
Location: Middle of fucking nowhere
it depends on how much your house is insulated and how cold it is outside.
say it's 40 degrees outside. it's easier for your house to maintaint a 62F temp, than a 68F temp.
but if it's like 58F outside, then it's not that big of a difference. however, it will more than likely not run as much if it was set for 62 vs 68 because the transfer of heat between 58 and 62 is not as much as 40 and 62.
the more effecient your house is, the less it will run too (i.e. good windows, insulation, doors, etc...)
Dec-22-2009 21:22
Meat187
Diese scheiß Katze
Registered: Dec 2007
Location: The Night's Plutonian Shore
It's true that the amount of energy needed to heat a room by 2 degrees is (theoretically) constant. But think about heat diffusion. Any diffusion process depends on the temperature gradient, and that will be higher at 68. So you'll lose more energy and therefore will have to heat up those 2 degrees more often.
Edit: Damn, how embarrassing. The local alcoholic was faster.
Registered: Apr 2003
Location: Middle of fucking nowhere
quote:
Originally posted by Meat187
It's true that the amount of energy needed to heat a room by 2 degrees is (theoretically) constant. But think about heat diffusion. Any diffusion process depends on the temperature gradient, and that will be higher at 68. So you'll lose more energy and therefore will have to heat up those 2 degrees more often.
Edit: Damn, how embarrassing. The local alcoholic was faster.
oh hai!
Dec-22-2009 21:29
Ygrene
Dr. Stinkburger Deluxe
Registered: Nov 2003
Location: Totergefuttert
You must now run a DOE to test the difference between the two processes. Be sure to include a C&E diagram, process map, and any necessary control charts. Be prepared to deliver a status report in 30 days.
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Dec-22-2009 21:32
Meat187
Diese scheiß Katze
Registered: Dec 2007
Location: The Night's Plutonian Shore
quote:
Originally posted by Ygrene
You must now run a DOE to test the difference between the two processes. Be sure to include a C&E diagram, process map, and any necessary control charts. Be prepared to deliver a status report in 30 days.
That day in PowerPoint funland has trashed your brain, sir. I suggest breakdancing with an ultrafast headspin to clear that dirt.
one thing i noticed at my last apartment was that it was more efficient to keep the heat set at a steady temperature rather than say lowering it to 60 when you leave and then raising it to 68 when you come back. i guess the furnace uses more energy to heat up the place initially, so if you keep it at the same temperature all the time, it just has to work a little bit to keep it at that temperature.
i assume this probably varies depending on what type of furnace you have and how big of a space you're heating.
its better for your furnace to keep running constantly then for it to start up and shut off again (slylee). It takes alot more energy if it cycles frequently ( slylee ). However, that is not something you can control (slylee). That is if the designer of the air system knew what he was doing.
Last edited by EricB. on Dec-23-2009 at 04:35
Dec-23-2009 04:29
Fledz
Banned
Registered: Sep 2006
Location: London UK
I have absolutely no idea how hot/cold those temperatures are...
Originally posted by Ygrene
You must now run a DOE to test the difference between the two processes. Be sure to include a C&E diagram, process map, and any necessary control charts. Be prepared to deliver a status report in 30 days.
Damn right. Gotta be able to fit six standard deviations between the mean and lower spec limit.
Originally posted by twilightki : It feels like something you'd listen to at 4 in the morning, or listen to in your car while you're going in a tunnel.
