Hey guys, just wondering if there's such a thermostat or device that can be programmed for call to heat for xx minutes, and then off, at set intervals.
One that will kick in and out, not caring what the temperature is? Does such a creature exist?
Here's my situation in a nutshell. Small mobile home, with a small Englander 17 wood stove, and an oil furnace. On a normal day, the stove will run for 15-18 hours, sometimes I get a load going before bed, but more often not. I don't run the furnace at all in the day unless the missus is having a cold spell.
Usually there's plenty of heat in the shack, so even if the fire is on the way out at bedtime, it takes awhile to drop. If I sleep quick (5 hours) sometimes the furnace hasn't kicked, but if it does, it runs and runs to play catch up. I think this is where I burn the most heating oil, on this first cycle.
Now, if I could program the system to kick in 4 hours later, and cycle for 10 minutes, and keep doing this every 90 minutes, I may find some efficiency, rather than one long run in the morning. I realize the temp would keep dropping, but I think it would be more efficient (just a guess)
We've reduced the oil usage anywhere from 60-75% here since we got the wood stove, but I still need to chase my tail I guess. Not looking for the bigger stove option, as that's not what I need. If I was a bachelor, I'd just turn the oil furnace off at -20C or above. But that's not a very good option either.
Any thoughts or ideas appreciated.
BTW, this is an old Intertherm or Mac-1265 oil furnace, about as modern as the late 70's, so it's pretty basic.
One that will kick in and out, not caring what the temperature is? Does such a creature exist?
Here's my situation in a nutshell. Small mobile home, with a small Englander 17 wood stove, and an oil furnace. On a normal day, the stove will run for 15-18 hours, sometimes I get a load going before bed, but more often not. I don't run the furnace at all in the day unless the missus is having a cold spell.
Usually there's plenty of heat in the shack, so even if the fire is on the way out at bedtime, it takes awhile to drop. If I sleep quick (5 hours) sometimes the furnace hasn't kicked, but if it does, it runs and runs to play catch up. I think this is where I burn the most heating oil, on this first cycle.
Now, if I could program the system to kick in 4 hours later, and cycle for 10 minutes, and keep doing this every 90 minutes, I may find some efficiency, rather than one long run in the morning. I realize the temp would keep dropping, but I think it would be more efficient (just a guess)
We've reduced the oil usage anywhere from 60-75% here since we got the wood stove, but I still need to chase my tail I guess. Not looking for the bigger stove option, as that's not what I need. If I was a bachelor, I'd just turn the oil furnace off at -20C or above. But that's not a very good option either.
Any thoughts or ideas appreciated.
BTW, this is an old Intertherm or Mac-1265 oil furnace, about as modern as the late 70's, so it's pretty basic.
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