With the cost of living continuing to rise, many will be looking for ways to save money on their energy bills. One way often touted to cut down on your costs is to leave your heating on low, but is it really better?
Boiler experts BOXT have now myth-busted the notion. Founder Andy Kerr says it is in fact better to have a an energy-efficient boiler that fires up when you require warm water or heating.
He said: “It is a myth that leaving your heating switched on all the time will help you save money on your energy bills. This is not the case, as your will be continually using energy. Instead, it is much more energy-efficient and cheaper to set your boiler so it only fires up when you require warm water or heating, and only set your thermostat to the temperature you want your home to be. Cranking the thermostat up more won’t make the system heat up any faster, but will mean it continues burning energy for longer to reach that higher temperature.
“The constant burning of fuel to heat your home will not only result in energy being used but also energy being lost. In a standard home, heat loss can be quite significant compared to the heat you’re putting into it through your boiler and radiators, although if your home is well insulated, heat loss shouldn’t be too much of a concern. However, in the winter months you should be especially mindful of what temperature your thermostat is set to.
"As the weather turns frosty, there is a chance the water in your boiler system could freeze if it’s not being used at all, causing a lot of damage to your heating system. It’s generally advised to keep the thermostat set to a minimum of at least 10°C to avoid the risk of your pipes freezing.
“Another consideration to bear in mind is whether your system has weather compensation controls. This technology takes into account the external temperature as well as the temperature inside your home and modifies the boiler operation accordingly, which may result in the boiler running more often on a lower setting. This is likely where the misconception around leaving your heating on continually being more efficient comes from. However these systems are relatively rare in the UK, and so for the majority of homes it will be more efficient to only set your heating to come on when you actually need it.”
As for the ideal room temperature during winter, Andy says she should aim for between 18 and 20C. However, there have been many reports from doctors that sleeping with the heating on all night can cause your body to overheat much more quickly.
The Sleep Charity advises that an ideal bedroom temperature is 16-18 degrees Celsius, and warns that temperatures over 24 degrees Celsius can impact your sleep and cause restlessness. Andy added: “During the winter months, it can be tempting to crank up the thermostat. But experimenting with different temperatures can both reduce energy bills and potentially lead to a better night’s sleep.
“Instead of setting one temperature across the whole day, try switching between daytime and night-time temperatures, as this may make you more comfortable at home and also reduce your energy usage. make this especially easy to program.”
