Energy expert shares perfect time to switch heating on and save money | UK | News

An energy expert has revealed the time you should switch your heating on every day. While some Brits might be holding out until conditions get much colder, many households across the UK have been using their heating for a few weeks now.

Experts previously said that heating should be switched on when temperatures dip below 15C outside, which has happened for the entire country in the past few days.  However, many are concerned about energy bills after Ofgem announced an increase in the energy price cap back in August, which will take effect from Wednesday (October 1).

There are many ways to save money and pay less in your heating bills, from getting a boiler service to bleeding radiators before you start to regularly use them. Meanwhile, you can also optimise the time you switch your heating on to make sure you’re not being wasteful and therefore saving money on your bills. 

While some believe it is a good idea to keep your heating on a continuous low setting all day, this can increase your energy bills, resulting in higher costs.

Instead, the energy experts at Energy Saving Trust have advised Brits to time their heating to come on around half an hour before they get up in the morning, and half an hour before they go to bed. 

They said: “Generally, it’s useful to have your heating come on around half an hour before you get up in the morning. Then, turn it on again around half an hour before you go to bed.”

Meanwhile, if you want your home to be warm when you come home from work, you should time it to come on around an hour before you arrive back. 

Additionally, you should avoid your home falling below 16C as your body will have to work harder to stay warm. It is generally recommended to have your home around 21C to stay warm and healthy.

The experts revealed: “The main thing to get right is your room thermostat. Generally, you’ll want to set this somewhere between 18C and 21C, and this will make sure the heating doesn’t come on until you need it to. It also makes sure you’re not overheating your home over the winter.

“In fact, turning your thermostat down from 22C to 21C could save you £90 a year in Great Britain (GB) and £100 in Northern Ireland (NI).”