When Should I Put My Heating On?

With winter in full swing, you may be wondering whether it is time to turn your heating on. With the current economic crisis doing homeowners no favours, it's natural to be apprehensive about putting on your heating for the first time this year. In 2021, the average gas and electric bill in the UK totalled £111.60 per month, equating to £1,339 per year!

Is it too early to put the heating on?

If you're somebody who doesn't like to turn the heating on unless it's an emergency, then you'll probably be wondering whether it's still too early to make the leap. The answer is: it's never too early to turn your heating on, because it depends on the weather and the personal needs of those within your household. 

But, if you prefer specifics, most people tend to turn their heating on when it gets 'cold'. In UK standards, this is anywhere below 10℃. Most people choose to keep their heating use to a minimum before this point to limit the amount spent on energy bills.

When should I turn the heating on?

A little common sense goes far if you're thinking about turning on your heating. For example, there's no point in putting your heating on just before bed or just as you're about to leave for the day! In this case, it would be a huge waste of money as you won't be there to experience the warmth. 

What's the best time to put the heating on?

It's important to remember that there is no 'right' time to put the heating on. For a general guide, in the UK, temperatures dip in the early morning, rise throughout the day, and then dip again as the sun goes down. Naturally, you may want to turn the heating on when the temperature dips in the morning and evening.

Can I leave my heating on low all day?

You may be thinking that you can cheat the system by using your heating on low all day. Unfortunately, keeping your heating on low all day can actually cost you more in the long run if your home is poorly insulated.

It takes a considerable amount of energy to heat up a room, and it's important to remember that a home will lose energy throughout the day if heat can be easily lost throughout the property.

On the other hand, if your home is very well insulated, it may be worth testing whether it is cost efficient to keep your heating on low all day. If you have a smart meter, run a test over two weeks measuring alternating types of usage and see which one is cheaper for your household!

What is the ideal home temperature?

Depends on the inhabitants / medical needs / risks such as pipes freezing this can cost you more overall

On average, a comfortable room temperature is between 18-20℃ as this is what feels comfortable to a person when wearing typical indoor clothing. Although, there are a lot of factors that contribute to what somebody deems a 'comfortable' temperature.

The ideal home temperature is different for everyone as it depends on the inhabitants of the property. For example, some people may have medical needs that require a consistent warm temperature for support and comfort. Additionally, people suffering with diabetes need to keep their feet warm to stay on top of numbness and decreased circulation side effects. 

You may find that you need to turn your heating on if your home was built quite a long time ago. This is to reduce the risk of the pipes freezing over, which can cost you more in repairs overall!

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We believe in quality trade education that lasts, for the peace of mind of our students and any customers that they work for in the future. Take a look at our range of electric and gas courses and get in touch at 0800 345 7492 to contribute to a more energy-efficient future.

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