When Is The Best Time To Put The Heating On?
We’ve officially moved into Autumn 2023, which means it’s time to open up the annual discussion on heating once again. With the ongoing cost of living crisis a major new factor has entered play, causing many to wonder exactly what the best time to put the heating on is this year. In this short blog, we’ll help to explain when to put the heating on, and the factors that you should consider when making that decision.
When Should You Start Thinking About Turning The Heating On?
The best time to put the heating on will ultimately depend on your preference – there’s no real point in switching the heating on if you don’t actually feel cold, or if the weather takes an unexpected turn towards the warmer. Generally, experts say that most people will be switching on the heating around late September or early October when temperatures really drop and added warmth is needed within the home.
Naturally, as the cost of living has shot up in recent times, people are looking to cut their spending when and wherever they can. As a result, it’s quite likely that we’ll find people hanging a bit later to turn up the heat this year in order to balance out the costs. Even if you’re holding on a bit longer before deciding when to put the heating on, make sure to wrap up and maintain a decent body temperature at all times.
What Time Of Day Should You Put The Heating On?
The best time to put the heating on really depends on your lifestyle more than there being any prime time that you should aim for. Generally, we recommend switching it off during the night. Not only does this cut down on unnecessary spending for heating the house while you’re asleep, but it also helps to facilitate sleep. The body naturally sleeps better in a cooler environment than in a warmer one.
If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t spend much time at home, then we still recommend that you turn the heating on for at least an hour a day. This is to prevent your pipes from freezing, which can necessitate costly plumbing repair jobs to remedy. A temperature of around 12 degrees will be suitable for preventing this from happening. If you have an underfloor heating, remember that this type of home heating system is designed to provide constant warmth and comfortable temperatures so you might not need to turn it off in the same way that you would a gas or oil boiler powered by thermostat.
What Temperature Should Your Heating Be?
When turning on your heating, we recommend that you set it to anywhere between 18-21 degrees. This range of temperature is considered comfortable for the majority of people. Anything below 15 degrees significantly raises the risk of respiratory diseases taking root, so be sure to keep the temperature no lower than that.
How To Maximise Heat In Your Home
If you’re trying to delay having to switch the heating on as long as possible, you can invest in certain protective measures to keep the heat trapped inside your house. Installing proper house insulation and eliminating draughts from your doors and windows are great ways to maximise the efficiency of your home and delay turning your heating on. You can also get heavy curtains, rugs and carpets that will be of significant help.
Alternatively, have a think about whether you have the most suitable type of system. While standard radiators powered by an oil or gas boiler are the most common, they are not necessarily the most efficient. Heat pumps are an increasingly popular alternative which operate by pumping the warm air from outside into the home and provide more energy than they consume. By investing in this kind of technology in your home, you could switch your heating on earlier in the year and enjoy comfortable warmth without the worry of excess energy bills.
At Pipelife Eco, we pride ourselves on being able to deliver expert, helpful advice, so if you’re looking for any assistance or want to know how you can make your home more efficient, simply get in touch. We’re always ready and available to help whenever you need us.