Is it More Expensive to Turn Heat On and Off?

The topic we are going to discuss in this article has caused much debate among homeowners, many of whom can’t agree on whether it is more expensive to turn heat on and off or not. We are going to explore this theory, providing reasons why you might want to turn it off or on, as well as other top tips when it comes to dealing with your heating supply and boiler.

So, is it more expensive to turn heat on and off? Let’s explore this topic in greater detail…

Start-up Times

If you’re asking ‘Is it more expensive to turn heat on and off?’ in a short term sense, the answer is a resounding yes. Consider this scenario: it’s Winter, it’s just a couple of degrees outdoors, and you want to turn your heat up. If you walk in the door, and your heating is already at 17 degrees, pushing it up to 22 degrees is not a huge leap, and won’t take too long to achieve.

But, if you walk in the door and it’s 7 or 8 degrees inside, because you haven’t had any heating on, it’s going to take longer, and more energy, to reach 22 degrees, meaning that having turned off your heater in the first place made this activity more expensive overall. Of course, many people don’t want to spend money to heat an empty house all day while they’re at work, so here’s what you can do instead…

Smart Energy Management

With the abundance of energy-related technology we have access to now, it’s not hard to set timers, either physically or through a Smart wall unit, or a mobile phone application. This means you can turn your heater on and off remotely, and time it for your arrival home, and for when you leave in the morning. Is it more expensive to turn heat on and off in this sense? It depends…

Hot Water

Your hot water is either provided by the boiler, or by an electric water heater system – you need to figure out if your systems are separate, or whether they work together (which is sometimes the case), before you make a decision.

Old boilers have a continuous pilot light underneath them, which is activated as and when you choose, but takes a bit of time to warm up. Modern boilers act a little differently, and warm up a lot quicker, and both should be treated accordingly. These modern boilers are often coated in polystyrene and other chemicals, in order for the cistern to do certain things, and so if this is the case for your boiler, we recommend not turning it off.

If you are considering turning your heating off for the Summer, you must consider your supply of hot water. If you have an electric shower, and are happy to go without taking baths, and if you can survive in the kitchen with manually boiling water on the hob or using a kettle, then this option will prove perfect for you and your needs.

Is it More Expensive to Turn Heat On and Off?

This question has so many facets that it can’t be wholly summarised. In the Summer, yes, you don’t need heating so much, and can probably make do without it. Heating your water can account for almost 20% of your bills for the year, so to be able to turn the heater off for three months would radically reduce your costs.

However, when Winter comes, you certainly don’t want to be turning your heater on and off, as this poses another risk. These machines are not perfect, and the more they get turned on and off, the more likely the machinery will become faulty, and, consequently, pose serious heating problems in your home.