NREL and discomfort

Mark_46

I set my thermostat back while at work or during sleep (8 hours or more at a time) based on info from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) that states lowering the thermostat will result in a fuel cost savings (apprx 1 % saving for each degree)……you save fuel between the time the temperature stabilizes at the lower level and the next time heat is needed, etc.

But when this one pipe system (I think 120,000 BTU) within a 1,800 sqft house is always being set back, a constant temperature difference exists between the first and second floors. If the thermostat is left at a constant setting (24 hrs or more) the first and second floor temperatures eventually equalize but obviously the savings from set back are forfeited.

Any theories as to why?

Mark_46

NREL and discomfort

I set my thermostat back while at work or during sleep (8 hours or more at a time) based on info from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) that states lowering the thermostat will result in a fuel cost savings (apprx 1 % saving for each degree)……you save fuel between the time the temperature stabilizes at the lower level and the next time heat is needed, etc.

But when this one pipe system (I think 120,000 BTU) within a 1,800 sqft house is always being set back, a constant temperature difference exists between the first and second floors. If the thermostat is left at a constant setting (24 hrs or more) the first and second floor temperatures eventually equalize but obviously the savings from set back are forfeited.

Any theories as to why?

Mark_46

NREL and discomfort

I set my thermostat back while at work or during sleep (8 hours or more at a time) based on info from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) that states lowering the thermostat will result in a fuel cost savings (apprx 1 % saving for each degree)……you save fuel between the time the temperature stabilizes at the lower level and the next time heat is needed, etc.

But when this one pipe system (I think 120,000 BTU) within a 1,800 sqft house is always being set back, a constant temperature difference exists between the first and second floors. If the thermostat is left at a constant setting (24 hrs or more) the first and second floor temperatures eventually equalize but obviously the savings from set back are forfeited.

Any theories as to why?

Mark_46

Discomfort and the NREL

I set my thermostat back while at work or during sleep (8 hours or more at a time) based on info from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) that states lowering the thermostat will result in a fuel cost savings (apprx 1 % saving for each degree)……you save fuel between the time the temperature stabilizes at the lower level and the next time heat is needed, etc.

But when this one pipe system (I think 120,000 BTU) within a 1,800 sqft house is always being set back, a constant temperature difference exists between the first and second floors. If the thermostat is left at a constant setting (24 hrs or more) the first and second floor temperatures eventually equalize but obviously the savings from set back are forfeited.

Any theories as to why?

jim sokolovic

Which floor is warmer?

Can we assume that this is a steam system, and the thermostat is on the first floor?