As the temperature drops, you’ll be wondering when is the best time to turn the heating on - and for some it may be this week.
If you’ve started reaching for that extra layer of clothing each morning, you’ll probably be thinking about when to turn the heating on.
As the weather becomes chillier, it’s one of the things that we keep putting off. Worries around how to save money on our energy bills can hold us back – but equally, not turning up the thermostat could have an impact on our comfort and health.
So we asked the experts when is the best time to switch your central heating on, and learned that in many parts of the UK you may be flicking the switch this week.
With an increasingly changeable weather pattern – cold one week and warm the next – it isn’t easy to know when to flick that switch. However, we can make a judgement based on the outside temperature.
While each person’s temperature comfort zone varies, Martyn Bridges of Worcester Bosch says: “Temperatures that are constantly below 15°C–16°C (59°F–61°F) throughout the day tend to make people feel cold.”
Heating experts at Vaillant have analysed Met Office data from the past five years to pinpoint the ideal date to turn your heating on this winter – and it’s earlier than expected.
They used temperature differences across ten cities to identify 3 October as the national average, but also revealed that you may be about to flick the switch this week.
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Apart from outside conditions, the temperature in your home will play a big part.
If it’s well insulated, with a good level of glazing and loft insulation, you can hold off from turning your heating on for a little while longer.
If you have draughts coming through your loft and windows, you can add insulation to prevent cold air coming in and hot air going out, which you’ll definitely want to avoid when you turn the heating on.
Check around doors and windows for any cracks where cold air might get in – you can easily seal small cracks with caulk.
If you’re unsure as to what temperature to set your thermostat, it’s worth knowing what the health experts advise.
The Energy Saving Trust says: “For most, the lowest comfortable temperature to set your heating to is between 18°C and 21°C (64°F and 70°F), as the World Health Organisation advises.”
The average thermostat setting in the UK is 20.8°C (69.4°F). However, 18°C (64°F) is warm enough to remain comfortable in winter.
To help find the perfect temperature, position the thermostat in a place that isn’t blocked by curtains or furniture, so air can flow around it and measure the temperature of the space properly.
We've got more advice on what temperature should your heating be, and the three common mistakes to avoid.
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