Experts (here in the UK) have revealed the recommended date to switch the heating off and it's fast approaching.
Whether you are already bundled up under the blankets having already turned the temperature down, or you are enjoying a toasty boost of warmth from your radiators way too much to switch it off any time soon, deciding when to turn the central heating on and off is the divider of people!
While you may already be in the grips of a battle of the sexes when it comes to having control of the thermostat, experts have waded in to reveal the date we should be switching off the boiler.
Sunday March 27 is officially the recommended day to turn your central heating off.
“Spring is just around the corner, and as the weather gradually begins to turn warmer, more and more people are keeping their heating on for shorter amounts of time," explains Jordan Chance, heating expert from 'PlumbNation'.
“With the cost of living rising across the country, including higher energy price caps, many Brits will be feeling the financial squeeze."
Although there is no single temperature at which you should turn your heating off, Chance says we should be aiming for the time when clocks go forward, which this year falls on 27th March.
"While many may be waiting for the temperature to change, there’s no specific temperature at which you should be turning off your heating, as it will depend on how well insulated your home is," he explains.
He adds that well-insulated homes will retain their heat even when temperatures are low into the early spring, but every home will be different.
It turns out we are also making some pretty major mistakes when it comes to our heating, including leaving it on low all day.
“It is important to note that leaving your heating on low all day does not reduce your heating bills," he explains.
"Having the heating on only as and when you need it, is the best way to save energy. Using a thermostat with a timer offers a simple and speedy solution to controlling your heating effectively."
Your thermostat controls your home’s temperature by communicating with your boiler. Thermostats, particularly in older homes with older heating systems, can degrade over time, which can lead to delays in your boiler switching on, or your home being heated at much higher temperatures than you need.
"Upgrading your thermostat could provide for greater accuracy in thermostat to boiler communication, preventing energy from being wasted, and saving you money," Chance explains.
Stop Draughts
Stopping heat from escaping through unwanted gaps is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to save energy and money. "To draught-proof your home, you need to primarily identify the ‘problem areas’ where draughts are causing issues, these could include doors, windows, chimneys and floorboards," explains Chance. "You can block unwanted gaps by using draught-proofing strips around your windows and doors, or flexible silicone-based filler to fill the gaps in your floorboards."
Add an Extra Layer (or two!)
Is your other half always telling you to put on another layer? They may have a point. Instead of heating your home to be warm enough to walk around in shorts and a t-shirt, why not turn your thermostat down and put on a jumper? "Adding clothing layers will insulate your body and make it easier to regulate your body’s temperature," Chance explains. "The more layers you wear, the less the heating will need to be on, reducing your heating bills."
Believe it or not soft furnishings, such as curtains and rugs, can make all the difference in saving money on your heating.
"If you have a carpeted home then it will naturally help to boost insulation; however, if you have hard flooring investing in some good quality materials, such as a plush rug, will help to prevent heat from being lost," Chance adds.
Turn your thermostat down by 1°C
An excessive heating bill can be easily rectified with the ‘step-down’ challenge. "By turning your heating down by just 1°C, you can save up to 10% on your heating bill," Chance explains.
The typical heating range is between 18- 21°C, but reducing your own level of cosy by just 1 degree can make all the difference.
"It is also important to avoid classic thermostat ‘faux pas’," Chance adds. "Contrary to popular belief, turning up your thermostat does NOT heat up your room quicker. This method will only send your energy bills skyrocketing."
Clean your radiators
Hands up whose radiators are always left out of their weekly cleaning routine? Well, now's the time to add them in. "A build up of dust can affect your health, allergies and your heating bill," explains Chance. "Layers of dust in your radiator can prevent heat from escaping effectively, meaning your radiators will have to work harder to warm your room." Who knew?
Don’t use your radiators as a clothes dryer
It turns out the clothes that you place over the top of your radiators prevent the heat from escaping and heating your room. This means that your boiler has to pick up the slack and work at a greater rate - increasing costs.
"Similarly, the increase in the air’s moisture can create condensation, leading to potential issues with mould and dampness,"
Check your radiator cover
If you have a radiator cover it's worth checking that it is a good conductor of heat. "Radiator covers made from materials such as wood are poor conductors and can prevent heat from being dispersed effectively," explains Chance.
"Also, if your radiator cover has a solid top then you may be losing even more heat, as it will be absorbed by the top of the cover."
Bleed your radiators
It may be the most searched DIY task, but according to Chance bleeding your radiator is essential in preventing the efficiency of your radiator from decreasing due to air entering your heating system.
"The quickest way to check if air has entered your heating system is to turn your central heating on and feel your radiator," he explains. "If the radiator is warm at the bottom but cold at the top this is generally a sign that air is present."
Get your boiler serviced
If your boiler is ageing and has seen better days, there’s a strong chance it won’t be working as efficiently as it once was.
"Defective boilers can increase your heating bill massively as they will need to work significantly harder to bring your home up to the desired temperature," It is recommended you get your boiler serviced every 12 months to ensure it is running efficiently and safely.
Words above from article, which can be seen here
Some good tips here ...
Some good tips here ...
I also find that a nice warm bowl of soup can help to keep you warm, like this
Tomato Soup with onions, carrot and celery - recipe details can be seen here
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All the best Jan
38 comments:
..here, the heat will be on for a lot longer!
Thanks for these reminders, the soup looks yummy!
Buenos consejos y gracias por la receta una rica sopa es una buena forma de mantener calor. Te mando un beso.
Still a little cool here in Idaho.
Coffee is on and stay safe
Interesting to read Jan.
Very different down here as to how we use heating and cooling our homes.
great your post. thanks for sharing
we have just been experimenting with turning the heating down and/or off and wearing more clothes, it's turned out to be quite easy to get used to - I used to wake at night as too hot so this is better for us all and my skin is not so dry! that's just in 2 weeks of turning the thermostat to 19 in the day and 15 at night. As a child we only had coal fires, I could get used to that again I think - the only issue is how to dry laundry as am trying to avoid the tumble dryer (expensive) ... towels and sheets dry overnight hanging over doors I have found, just need to air the rooms thoroughly next day.
Very good advice. We've always only put the heating on when we need it and I'll always put on extra layers before putting on the heating (and try to make sure my partner does too!). We do however make the mistake of drying clothes on the radiator, we know we shouldn't but still...
Muito importante nos tempos que correm a poupança de energia.
Gostei.
Um abraço e boa semana.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
O prazer dos livros
I would never think of turning off my heating in March, I'm terrible for feeling the cold. I think many people, myself included, will be turning it off sooner than we would usually though with the rising cost of energy. We have thermostats on each of our radiators, a good way of controlling the heating in each room so that you're not heating areas of the house which aren't being used.
The soup looks great Jan! I would LOVE to turn off the heat in March...my house is badly insulated, still waiting on my new roof and that will help a lot. Insulating the basement comes next, then getting the wood stove up to code so I can heat with wood next winter...that will help with my power bill I hope!
I think our heat will be on longer here. I do not mind turning the heat down some.
Take care, enjoy your day!
Good tips though end of March is still too early to turn the heat down here.
we still have -10 degree at nights here in Finland. Luckily it is warmer at daytime. The winter was very hard and there is also lot of snow.
First, interesting reading about men and women. Roger worked maintenance and he always told me I was not alone in feeling cold. Where he worked, and there was an office with men and women...the women were always colder. I am always cold because we kerp.the house cool because he coughs more if it is warm.
These are all really wonderful tips, Jan. I like a cozy house but I confess, it seems a bit indulgent these days. And perhaps soon, more than a bit expensive. No complaints there. Cutting energy to support Ukraine is something I support. But I'm glad it will be warming up soon!
Jan you always present such wonderful articles full of great information! It will be a while before we turn our heat off here, but spring is definitely coming!
Jan, thanks for all the heating tips. Today it is cold and raining. We really need it but it is not comfy. I have been piling on the blankets but think it is a little too soon to be turning down the heat, although with the cost of it all, everybody might have to sooner than later..Happy Tuesday..xxoJudy
I haven't been putting the heating on as much as I usually do, warm fleecy trousers and top and a crochet blanket to snuggle under is all that you need to keep you warm and perhaps a bowl of that lovely soup.
Yes, the thermostat is something like the remote..I never turn it off..just down...Long ago a HVC guy told me it should never be turned off..just regulate it by the temp setting..can't remember why..
We changed our clocks this past weekend and it's far too early to turn off the heat quite yet. We did lower the temperature on the thermostat by two degrees a few months ago, and I find it quite chilly. I'm always huddling close to the fire now (we heat with gas fireplaces).
I'm definitely not showing this to Neil. He already turns the heating down when he thinks I don't notice! I already wear 3 layers (and snuggle under a blanket to watch tv) Have a great week, Sue xx
Sure not ready for turning the heat off here in western Maryland yet!!! We can still get snow in April.
Boa tarde. Parabéns pelo seu trabalho. Sempre aprendo com seu Blogger.
We sometimes switch from heat to air from day to day. Helpful tips, thx :)
I use a blanket in an evening if I'm watching TV rather than turning the heating up.
Soup or pie - I would take the soup :-))) Although I had a fabulous piece of pie today, well I shared it, the other half will be available tomorrow :-) and anyway, I think I eat healthy otherwise ... except for the small exceptions. So today I didn't have any soup, but tomorrow... thank you. I love your recipes... wonderful inspirations for me.
Kind regards from Viola
The soup looks delicious and I learned something new about heating my home. It's been warmer off and on for weeks now and I've been trying to keep the thermostat off as much as possible but can't completely turn it off because then it gets too cold. Enjoy your week.
We don't have any radiators. We do have cold and snow and propane! Thankfully. It's durn cold.
We had to turn our clocks back last weekend. I put on the fire on the weekend, as well.
It's possible building management here is already doing that. Much to my chagrin.
It's an absolute disgrace that in 2022 and in supposedly the 5th richest country in the world, old people are reduced to this. I have told my MP where to stick his 3.1% pension rise and I have told him I will never, ever vote for the "conservatives" again. The Tory Party need to be destroyed at the next election.
A real shame that you have to offer this now essential advice.
Are new houses in Britain heated with boilers and hot water or steam? I love such heat, but have only lived in one such house here in America. I have a heat pump and if I turn the temperature way down in the day (when the temperatures are often where the pump is most efficient) and turn it back up at night (when the temperature makes the heat pump less efficient and calls for the use of heating strips within the furnace) my energy use goes way up. It also goes way up if I turn it up by more than a few degrees at a time, as it calls for the supplemental heat and turns on the strips.
we don't have installed heating system here yet i enjoyed learning what steps are needed for turning it off in this particular season
thank you for sharing
What a delicious looking soup! Good tips on saving energy, we'll all need to cut back given the rising costs.xxx
Great info and delish soup ~ Xo
Wishing you lots of love and peace in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Muy interesante y esa sopa se ve muy bien. Besos.
We don't have a day that we shut it off, always goes by how the weather is. But spring is usually a good time of year when we save money because it is starting to get warmer so we don't need heat as much. Our time change was last week.
we have used both the heat and a/c in recent days!! it's been both hot and cold here!! tomato soup, served with grilled cheese, comfort food at it's finest!!
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