Exact day to switch on central heating

When to switch on central heating is a common argument in households up and down the country. But one expert says he’s got the right date marked on the calendar...
Exact day to switch on central heating

An energy expert claims he has calculated the exact day you should switch on your central heating this Autumn – Monday October 13.

Les Roberts, business energy expert at Bionic, said: “Forecasts show temperatures dipping to 15 degrees from October 13, aligning with NHS guidance that homes should be heated when outdoor temperatures fall below this threshold.

“By late October, we’ll see a notable chill in the air with temperatures dropping around seven degrees over the month. Once the temperature falls below 15 degrees, it’s important to start heating homes and workplaces to at least 18 degrees, not just for comfort, but to reduce the risk of damp, mould, and even frozen pipes,” he told The Mirror.

However, this date isn’t set in stone as weather forecasts can change and different parts of the country will experience colder weather first.

But with the prospect of colder weather ahead – and the increase in the energy price cap on 1 October pushing up energy bills for millions of householdsnow is the time to shop around for the cheapest energy deal.

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How cold should it be before I put the heating on?

Generally, you should put the heating on when you start to feel cold. This is especially important if anyone in your home is:

  • An older person
  • Someone with a medical condition

Research by Energy Saving Trust found 58% of people said they leave it as late as they can before they turn the heating on. While one third said they already had the heating on by mid-September.

When’s the best time of day to put the heating on?

A good rule of thumb is to set your heating to come on around half an hour before you get up in the morning. Then at night, to turn it off around half an hour before going to bed.

Is it better to leave the heating on all the time?

This is another question that prompts debates. The answer is that it depends on the type of heating system you have.

  • If you have a boiler, keeping your heating on all the time will use more energy and cost you more money. So it’s therefore more energy efficient, and better for your bills, to have your boiler come on when you need it.
  • But if you have a heat pump, you can save money by leaving the heating on all day. Read more in our guide on Heat pump grants – and how to get one.

Find out instantly how much you can save on energy bills with our free switching service today

5 top ways to save energy in your home this Autumn

Once you’ve reduced your energy bills by getting the cheapest energy deal, the next step is to reduce how much energy you use. This will cut your energy bills further.

1. Insulate your home

One of the most effective ways to keep your house warm in cold weather is to insulate it. The best place to start is usually loft insulation as a quarter of a house’s heat is typically lost through the roof if it’s uninsulated.

Plus, you may be able to get financial support towards the cost of insulation and other energy-efficiency measures, or even get it for free, if you’re eligible. Find out more in our guides Energy grants and how to get them and How to make your home more energy efficient.

2. Draught-proof your home

Draught-proofing your home can save money on energy bills as well as making it a lot more cosy! Professional draught-proofing of windows, doors and blocking cracks in floors and skirting boards can cost around £250, but can save around £85 a year on energy bills. DIY draught-proofing can be much cheaper.

3. Bleed your radiators

If your radiators have cold spots or don’t fully heat up, it could mean they need bleeding in order for them to work more efficiently. But if your radiators still aren’t heating up properly after bleeding them, it’s a good idea to call in an expert.

4.  Reflect heat back into your rooms

Once you’ve made sure your radiators are working properly, the next step to keeping your house warm in cold weather is to install radiator reflector panels behind radiators on external walls. These reflect heat back into the room. You can buy a roll of radiator heat reflector foil from around £7 from DIY stores and they’re super easy to install.

5. Insulate your hot water tank

An insulation jacket costs around £15 and can save around £50 a year on your heating bill, paying for itself in less than six months.

Use our free tool to compare energy deals and see instantly how much you can save on energy costs by switching your provider.

Switch energy supplier, save money

Compare energy deals, see how much you can save on electricity and gas, switch provider today.

Compare energy deals
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