This question comes up every year as temperatures begin to drop with the arrival of September. Many people try to hold off as long as they can before switching their heating back on. But is there an ideal time to start heating your home after the summer? And how should you manage your heating daily? Let’s explore.
When should I turn on the heating?
The general rule is to turn on your heating when you start feeling cold, especially if your household includes:
• Elderly individuals
• Those with medical conditions
It’s often noted that people start using their heating when temperatures consistently fall to 15°C or lower. According to the Met Office, this usually happens around October, though an unexpected cold snap could prompt you to turn it on sooner.
Is it a problem to turn the heating on early?
If your heating system is properly set up, your boiler won’t activate unless your home reaches a certain low temperature. This means you can turn your heating back on early, and the boiler will only kick in when needed.
The key is to ensure your room thermostat is set correctly. Typically, keeping it between 18°C and 21°C will prevent unnecessary heating while maintaining comfort. Reducing your thermostat setting from 22°C to 21°C can save you up to £90 a year in Great Britain and £105 in Northern Ireland.
It’s still wise to turn the heating off entirely during the summer months to avoid wasting energy.
What’s the best time of day to turn the heating on?
It’s generally a good idea to schedule your heating to come on about 30 minutes before you wake up and to turn off about 30 minutes before bedtime. If you’re going to be out for most of the day, you can save energy by turning the heating off while no one is home.
Should I leave the heating on all day?
If you have a boiler, it’s more energy-efficient—and cost-effective—to only have it on when you need it, rather than keeping it running all day. However, if you use a heat pump, you can save money by leaving the heating on throughout the day.
Preparing your boiler for colder weather
Even if you’re delaying turning on the heating, it’s important to ensure your boiler is in good working order. If you’ve had the boiler off over the summer, it’s a good idea to switch it on now to check for any issues.
Also, if you haven’t already, schedule your annual boiler service. It’s better to address any issues now, rather than risk needing an emergency callout later, when wait times for an engineer are longer.
To make your heating system more efficient, consider:
• Lowering your boiler’s flow temperature
• Keeping areas around your radiators clear to improve heat distribution
• Bleeding radiators if needed
• Installing radiator reflector panels, especially if your walls lack insulation
Upgrading your heating system
Before winter fully sets in, it’s a good time to consider upgrades to improve your heating system. These improvements can make your home warmer and help reduce heating bills.
Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs)
Installing TRVs allows you to control the heat in individual rooms by adjusting how much hot water flows through each radiator. You can lower the setting in rooms that don’t need to be as warm (like hallways) while keeping key rooms, such as the living room or a child’s bedroom, at a comfortable temperature.
Smart Thermostats
Smart heating controls can learn your daily routines and adjust your heating automatically. You can often create custom temperature schedules and control your heating remotely via a smartphone app. This means you can keep the heating off while you’re out and have it turn on just before you return.
Some smart thermostats also improve efficiency by adjusting the boiler flow temperature based on indoor or outdoor conditions.