I just purchased my first house with a old gas-fired gravity furnace (AKA "octopus furnace"). It uses the old Honeywell circular setpoint thermostat. Does anyone know if there would be an advantage to replacing the thermostat with a modern one that can vary the temp at night? Or, does the extended time it takes for the furnace to heat and cool negate any potential savings?
COMMUNITY FORUM
A setback thermostat is a good idea if it is for 4 hours or longer. If the house takes 2 hours to warm up, then setup the furnace temperature 2 hours before you get up.
Sory to say it, your furnace probably only gives you about 40% of usable heat into your house. Out of every dollar, .60 goes up the chimney. Although set-back t-stats are very useful, your furnace itself is not worth the investment.
On average, the furnace probably cycles about 20 to 30 min. before cycling off. By setting the temp back, you would greatly increase the run time and thus increase your fuel bills. I would leave the t-stat at a steady temp.
On average, the furnace probably cycles about 20 to 30 min. before cycling off. By setting the temp back, you would greatly increase the run time and thus increase your fuel bills. I would leave the t-stat at a steady temp.
Hope this info was useful:
HOLLYWOOD
