how to calculate setback savings

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Can you accurately measure the oil used for the weekend and the next two following days? At least twice each with and without setback and then adjust consumption for degree days?

Or perhaps does the thermostat have a resettable run-time counter? Might be called a "filter replacement reminder". Check (and reset) run time for the same periods and do the same degree day adjustment.

With a really high mass system like tube-in-slab the results may or may not be anywhere near what you might expect.

Marc K.

how to calculate setback savings

Does anyone know if there is an accurate way to compute actual fuel savings when setting back the temperature for a specific period of time? Here's a situation I've been called to offer input on: Carpenter A rents space in Carpenter B's shop. Carpenter B has agreed to let the space be heated to 57 degrees during working hours. Space is heated by radiant (oil fired Buderus, Viega Radiant in the slab, very well insulated space.) Carpenter B wants to turn t-stat to 50 friday p.m., and back to 57 monday a.m. Carpenter A says you're really not saving much, plus it takes 5 hrs to come back up to 57 from 50.
If you can't offer actual formulas to figure this out, then your opinion is a valuable alternative!