Now that it’s getting a little chilly, you might wonder when the right time is to switch the heating on. Finding the right comfort versus energy efficiency balance is always crucial, given that energy costs are always up for grabs and need to be managed well, especially when winter creeps up on us unannounced here in the UK.
Whether you switch your heating on when you can actually see your breath indoors or turn it on at the first sight of a chilly morning, managing your heating can make a big difference to both your wallet and your comfort.
Why It’s Important to Time Your Heating Right
Whether to switch on your heating early or not goes far beyond when it makes you comfortable; it can also affect your energy use and your home’s overall efficiency. Making the switch on too early in the season means you might use more energy than you should. But waiting too long may mean you risk feeling uncomfortable, or even worse, it may put you at health risk, especially if you are elderly, frail, or have other health concerns.
Ideal Temperature Settings for Comfort and Efficiency
According to the Energy Saving Trust, people generally feel comfortable at indoor temperatures within the scale of 18°C to 21°C. Within that range, one would get an average middle ground in terms of being warm but not consuming a lot of energy. For a healthy and active individual, 18°C could be just enough; however, if you’ve got young children, older relatives, or people with health complications, you might find a temperature at the higher end of the scale ideal.
It is also useless to turn up the heater dial to warm your home up faster. In fact, slow heating really works better. It would cause more strain on your system without really helping you with the real advantage concerning the speed at which your home warms up.
The Myth of Leaving the Heating On All Day
You might’ve heard that it’s better to just keep the heat on low all day than to have to turn the heat on and off constantly, but that’s apparently a myth. Heating a home full-time when not required can actually be less efficient and costlier. A warm baseline sounds reasonable, but at a low setting, a heating system is still using energy. Instead, a timer can ensure the house is warm when coming home in the morning or waking up and is turned off when it’s not needed.
Smart Heating Solutions: Thermostats and Timers
A programmable thermostat or smart heating system could make all the difference in the management of your heat schedule. You can set particular times for the heating to be on and off to avoid wasting energy during times you are out of the house. Smart thermostats, in particular, can even be adapted even if you’re out of the house through an app. Some advanced models learn when you usually go home and have go-to modes and will adjust the heating schedule for you.
The effective use of timers means wasting none of that energy, which is not necessary. For instance, you may set the heater to turn on about 30 minutes before you wake up and turn off 30 minutes after you head out to work. During an evening at home, set it to warm the house shortly before you return to ensure only minimum energy usage without compromising comfort.
Preparing Your Home for Winter
Check your home’s insulation before the real cold sets in. Proper insulation prevents heat from escaping the home; your home will be warmer for much longer, and the heating system doesn’t need to work so hard. Adding draft-proofing windows and doors, ensuring your loft is insulated, and even adding thick curtains help retain heat in your home. Small changes like this can save you money in the long term and potentially cut down on the time spent using your heating system.
Remember to service your boiler regularly, too. When well serviced, you can be sure of efficient usage, much reduced energy consumption, and a lesser chance of breakdown at critical periods. Make sure an annual service is booked, as this will keep the system running smoothly and safely in the colder months.
When It’s Time to Turn the Heating On
In the UK, it’s usual to start pumping the heat on in homes around mid-October, but you may switch earlier or later to suit your own requirements and your location. If you are aware that your locale sees autumn kick in early, you might switch the heat on earlier; however, one suggestion from the Energy Saving Trust is that you wait until the indoor temperature frequently dips below 18°C before really turning the heat on.
The best time to control your heating is to be flexible. You ought to monitor the weather, your comfort level, and the performance of your heating system. If you feel cold drafts or non-uniform heating, you may need to reconsider the proper insulation of your home or the efficiency of your boiler.
Stay Warm
Deciding when to turn on the heating is not exactly a science, but it does involve judgements in terms of comfort, efficiency, and cost. You might reasonably manage energy bills by keeping your thermostat at a suitable level, with the help of timers, and ensuring that your house is well-insulated. The ultimate goal is always efficiency, but one should not compromise on comfort as temperatures drop.