I changed the 3 to a 4 min run interval due to the fact that my boiler went out a couple times a few weeks ago. While it might have been the extended idle times due to the weather, or the shabby wood I was cramming into it, I am not entirely sure. Someone on here mentioned that they had set theirs to a 5 min interval, I figured I would split the middle and go with 4.
My situation is a little unique, I go to sea for a living, I work 3 weeks on and 3 weeks off. My wife is totally onboard with the boiler and the fact that we can heat the house essentially for "free," off our land. (I have an old skidder too and am actually getting hired to cut now for a nearby neighbor that wants to pay and have me take all the wood, which is pretty awesome) With that said though, I really need to ensure that it is as easy as possible for her. The last thing I want is for her to come home, or wake up to a cold boiler and have to deal with anything to reset it.
Maybe the 4 min interval burns slightly more wood, at least in this first year of messing with it, might be worth the extra wood. When I get home, in a couple weeks, it will be colder and I will likely change it back. Do you all think that it makes a sizeable difference?