Is It More Economical To Leave Heating On Low?

It has happened to all of us…we come home on a freezing cold night, and find our home to be colder than it feels outside.

You turn on the heating and it seems to take forever to warm, making you wonder why you are supposedly trying to save money by leaving the heating off when you’re not home.

So…is it worth putting your heating on a timer, or should you leave it on low all day?

According to the Energy Saving trust, around 50% of UK homeowners believe it is better to leave their heating on low all day. Which camp are you in?

Yes, it is cheaper to leave my heating on low all day

● You may get better efficiency from your boiler by turning the heat right down low, and letting the thermostats in your rooms do the work for you. Your boiler may actually last longer by not having to kick in at a higher temperature.

● You may be able to achieve a more comfortable, ambient temperature-even a lower one if the heating is left on all day. This is especially the case if your home is well insulated, and might save money in the long run if you are able to keep it very low.

● Your boiler kicking in regularly can cost more than if it runs evenly-but this would have to happen regularly throughout the day.

● Leaving your heating on low can prevent frozen pipes, which can be devastating, (and expensive), for your home.

No, it is not cheaper to leave my heating on low all day

● Even well insulated homes will lose heat through the walls, and you lose more if it is warmer inside than it is outside. So, by having a very warm home, you could be losing more heat than allowing the home to become cold when you are not home.

● Most homes are designed well enough that they will heat up relatively quickly once the heating is turned on, and the presence of people will speed up that process.

● By using individual thermostats on your radiators in each room, you can actually set different temperatures, allowing you to only heat the rooms you are in-making it even more effective to only turn on your heating when required.

Final Thoughts

Overall, it is a fundamental principle that you should only heat your home when you are there.

Timers are designed to allow us to do this easily and will ensure you are using your energy wisely, and keeping your home extra cosy, right when you need it.