For most homes with a gas boiler, no, it isn’t cheaper to leave the heating on low all day. The Energy Saving Trust calls it a myth. Heating your home only when you need it, using a timer and thermostat, usually uses less energy overall. There are a few exceptions, which we cover below.
Why heating only when you need it costs less
Your home is always losing heat through its walls, windows and roof. The warmer it is inside compared to outside, the faster that heat escapes. If the heating is on all day, you’re paying to replace heat that’s leaking out all day, including when nobody is home to enjoy it.
When the heating goes off, the house cools down slowly and loses heat more slowly too. Yes, the boiler works harder to warm things up again, but that usually uses less energy than keeping the house warm the whole time.
The exceptions
- Homes with damp or condensation problems. Some heating engineers suggest steady, low heating can help stop moisture building up on cold walls. Good ventilation matters too.
- Heat pumps. Heat pumps are designed to run steadily at lower temperatures, so the advice is different. Follow your installer’s guidance.
- People who need a warm home all day. If you’re at home all day, or someone in your home is elderly, unwell or very young, keeping a steady, comfortable temperature matters more than saving money. The UK Health Security Agency advises heating rooms you use to at least 18°C.
- Very cold spells. In freezing weather, keeping the heating on low or on the frost setting helps protect your pipes from freezing.
How to heat your home smarter
Set your timer to match your day
Have the heating come on shortly before you get up and before you get home, and go off when you leave or go to bed. Most homes don’t need heating overnight. Many programmers let you set different times for weekdays and weekends, which is worth doing if your routine changes.
Use your room thermostat
Your thermostat tells the boiler to stop once the room reaches the temperature you’ve set. Find the lowest setting you’re comfortable at. Turning it up higher won’t heat the house any faster, it just keeps going for longer.
Use thermostatic radiator valves
Thermostatic radiator valves, the numbered dials on the side of radiators, let you set each room separately. Turn them down in rooms you don’t use much, like spare bedrooms. If yours are old or stuck, our engineers can replace them through our radiator valve replacement service.
Lower your boiler flow temperature
Many combi boilers are set to send water to the radiators hotter than they need to. Turning the radiator temperature down a little can help the boiler work more efficiently, without making your home feel colder. If you’re not sure how, ask your engineer at your next service.
Keep your system in good shape
A boiler and heating system in good condition use less energy. Bleed radiators that are cold at the top, and get your boiler checked once a year with a boiler service, so it keeps running safely and efficiently.
MS HEATING AND PLUMBING has been helping households across Birmingham and Solihull get the most from their heating for over 29 years. Our engineers are Gas Safe Registered, and we’re a Which? Trusted Trader.
