Frost Stat Query

[rautospoon]

I have Honeywell Frost and Pipe Stats fitted to the boiler in my loft.

These are presently set at 5°C and 25°C respectively to accord exactly with the manufacturers instructions.

My query is, are these recommended figures a bit "cautious" and, if so could I safely and reasonably "turn them down" to "say" 3°/4° C or 15°/20°C respectively, in order to save a bit of gas or am I best to "stick 100%" with the recommended figures ?

Many thanks.

[dewaltdisney]

It only becomes an issue when you get to external minus temperatures. If the boiler is in use then, there would not be an issue as the latent heat in the boiler and pipes will prevent any frost damage. The frost guard is there to kick in if the boiler is off and low temperatures alert it to a possible freeze. If you intend to leave the house empty for a period in the coldest months, perhaps when you are skiing in Klosters, you would need it on a good frost prevention level. To give you an idea I was executor for my late uncle and his bungalow was empty through winter. When I saw that we were in for a freeze I left the room stat on low and although the property was cold, the heating pipes were tepid heat and this prevented any frost damage.

DWD

[Someone-Else]

I look at it that if the heating comes on at 5 degrees to stop it freezing then I would rather let it come on than for it to come on too late and have a pipe burst. It's not like it's going to be on for days. My frost stat can't go any lower than 5. I also have a "pipe warming cable" on my condensate pipe, my neighbour doesn't and a few years ago, his condensate pipe froze.

[rautospoon]

It only becomes an issue when you get to external minus temperatures. If the boiler is in use then, there would not be an issue as the latent heat in the boiler and pipes will prevent any frost damage. The frost guard is there to kick in if the boiler is off and low temperatures alert it to a possible freeze. If you intend to leave the house empty for a period in the coldest months, perhaps when you are skiing in Klosters, you would need it on a good frost prevention level. To give you an idea I was executor for my late uncle and his bungalow was empty through winter. When I saw that we were in for a freeze I left the room stat on low and although the property was cold, the heating pipes were tepid heat and this prevented any frost damage.

DWD

Thanks for the reply and the info. I fully understand the "workings of" and the need for/reasons behind frost stats, but would still appreciate a specific answer to the query I posed in my original post.

[Someone-Else]

but would still appreciate a specific answer to the query I posed in my original post.

My query is, are these recommended figures a bit "cautious" and, if so could I safely and reasonably "turn them down" to "say" 3°/4° C or 15°/20°C respectively

No.

[rautospoon]

I look at it that if the heating comes on at 5 degrees to stop it freezing then I would rather let it come on than for it to come on too late and have a pipe burst. It's not like it's going to be on for days. My frost stat can't go any lower than 5. I also have a "pipe warming cable" on my condensate pipe, my neighbour doesn't and a few years ago, his condensate pipe froze.

Thanks for the info and the reply. My frost stat can go down to 3°C and I have Armaflex HT insulation on my condensate pipe.
A specific answer to my original post would be useful.

[Someone-Else]

My query is, are these recommended figures a bit "cautious"

No

and, if so could I safely and reasonably "turn them down" to "say" 3°/4° C or 15°/20°C respectively, in order to save a bit of gas or am I best to "stick 100%" with the recommended figures ?

Stick with as is

[dewaltdisney]

The simple answer here is if the boiler is under warranty follow the maker's recommendations, if it is out do what you want.

DWD

[rautospoon]

The simple answer here is if the boiler is under warranty follow the maker's recommendations, if it is out do what you want.

DWD

The manufacturers instructions I quoted were from Honeywell not the maker of the boiler (Vaillant) which is 6 months old and "under" a 10 year guarantee.

[gas4you]

I used to leave the pipe stat set to 10c and the frost stat to 2c.

Never had a problem in 20 odd years

[rautospoon]

I used to leave the pipe stat set to 10c and the frost stat to 2c.

Never had a problem in 20 odd years

Thanks for that - where exactly was the boiler and was it in a location prone to cold temperatures ?

[gas4you]

In garages and lofts

[rautospoon]

In garages and lofts

Thanks for the reply, reassuring to hear those settings.