Is it cheaper to keep the heating on all day?

This is a controversial topic within the heating industry and is widely debated by homeowners looking to cut down on monthly heating costs. At Paladin, we did some research to try and answer ‘Is it cheaper to keep the heating on all day?’ so that you can confidently make more informed decisions. 

Research by Energy Saving Trust highlights that nearly all UK homeowners are concerned about their home energy efficiency, yet one in five aren’t taking simple steps to improve it.

We’ve compiled research to create a guide on how to heat your home for less. However, we recommend that people conduct their own research and talk to their energy providers before making changes to how they heat their homes. 

Energy Saving Trust provides a high percentage of our guidance due to its knowledge and reputation. They believe the most economical way to heat your home is to install thermostatic radiator valves. These valves allow you to control the temperature of isolated rooms, ensuring you’re only heating the rooms you use to full capacity. 

They also recommend setting up a room thermostat, which keeps the heating on until the room reaches the temperature you’ve set. Once it reaches the set temperature, it turns the heating off until the temperature drops again. This stops your home from getting too hot and using unnecessary energy. 

Most people set their thermostat at 18-21C. If you want to save money, reducing the temperature by 1C will save you about £90 a year in Great Britain, according to the Energy Saving Trust, the social enterprise that offers advice on energy efficiency.

The Sun suggests that where you place your thermostat can impact your energy bills. This makes sense: If your thermostat is close to doors leading to outside, windows, or cooler rooms that don’t get much use, your heating may be turning on more frequently than needed. 

Move your thermostat to somewhere like the living room, where your radiators are likely to be turned up, and you’re away from drafty hallways (a common thermostat placement). Wireless thermostats are a great option as they allow you to move the thermostat around your home, depending on which room you’re using.

The Guardian emphasises that turning down the temperature of your combi boiler can make it work more efficiently, saving you up to £65 a year. Combi boilers work best when they heat the water that goes to the radiators at 60C or below (called the flow temperature) – but in most homes, they are set at 70-80C.

There is a step-by-step guide on how to adjust the temperature on the charity Nesta’s money-saving boiler challenge website.

Energy Saving Trust recommends insulating your home to ensure that when you turn on your heating, you don’t lose essential heat through uninsulated walls, lofts, and drafty doors and windows. 

Based on our research, we recommend not leaving your heating on all day and instead setting your thermostat to automatically turn on when your house gets below a comfortable temperature. 

In addition to ensuring your house is insulated, you could use thermal curtains and update your boiler and radiators. Cast Iron radiators retain heat for longer than standard radiators, making them a great choice for conserving energy. 

We hope our blog has helped you gain a comprehensive understanding of efficient home heating methods in the UK. For more information, contact a member of our team at 01205 280354.