As energy prices rise and the cost of living continues to pinch, many households are seeking the most effective ways to cut down on their energy bills. A common question during the colder months is whether it’s more cost-effective to leave the heating on all day at a lower temperature, rather than turning it on and off as needed. The science behind this debate sheds light on what actually saves energy and money.
Heat Loss and Energy Efficiency
To understand the dynamics of heating your home, we need to consider the science of heat transfer. Your home loses heat throughout the day—primarily through the walls, windows, and roof. The rate of heat loss depends on the difference between the inside temperature and the outside temperature. When the heating is left on all day, even at a lower temperature, heat is constantly escaping, and the boiler has to work continuously to replace this lost heat.
If you turn the heating off when you're not home or not using certain rooms, you prevent this heat loss. This is why energy experts like Stephen Hankinson from Electric Radiators Direct recommend only turning on the heating when needed. He compares this to turning on an oven: "You wouldn’t turn the oven on when you’re not cooking food, so why would you keep the heating on when you’re not home?"
The Energy Spike Myth
One reason people believe in keeping the heating on all day is the idea that heating up a cold house is energy-intensive. It’s true that the boiler works harder initially to raise the temperature, but this short burst of energy use is still less expensive than the continuous heating required to maintain warmth when you're not home. The extra energy consumed during this startup phase is minimal compared to the waste from maintaining heat all day when it's unnecessary.
Smart Scheduling
For households that are out for most of the day, scheduling the heating to come on an hour before you return home can strike the perfect balance between comfort and cost. Many modern thermostats allow you to set specific times for the heating to switch on and off. This means you can enjoy a warm house when you need it without wasting energy heating an empty space. If you leave for a holiday or a long weekend, make sure to adjust your thermostat to avoid unnecessary energy use.
Targeting Efficiency: Heat the Person, Not the Space
Another smart approach is to focus on heating yourself rather than the entire home. While turning up the thermostat is tempting when you feel a chill, reaching for a hot water bottle or a heated blanket can be significantly more cost-effective. A heated blanket can cost as little as 9p for three hours of use, which is far cheaper than keeping the central heating running.
This tactic emphasizes localized heating over whole-house heating. Instead of wasting energy heating rooms that aren’t in use, consider using individual heaters or thermal insulation techniques to keep occupied spaces warm. Similarly, insulating yourself with warmer clothing can prevent the need to crank up the heating.
Thermostat Control
Lowering the thermostat by even a degree or two can also result in significant savings. Hankinson points out that dropping your thermostat from 21°C to 18°C could save you over £300 a year, depending on your energy usage and the size of your home. While it may not sound like much, these small changes add up, especially during the coldest months of the year.
Never Heat Unused Rooms
It’s also important to remember that heating unused rooms is another source of wasted energy. By adjusting the radiator valves in these areas, you can save money by focusing the heat on areas where it is actually needed. However, in homes with modern central heating systems, turning off radiators in unused rooms might reduce the efficiency of the system. In those cases, experts recommend adjusting the boiler’s flow temperature to strike a balance between efficiency and comfort.
Conclusion: Use Heating Strategically
Ultimately, the science supports the advice that turning your heating on only when needed is more efficient and cost-effective than leaving it on all day, even at lower temperatures. By using programmable thermostats, focusing on heating specific areas, and exploring alternative heat sources such as heated blankets, you can significantly reduce your energy bills while staying warm during the winter months. The key takeaway is to be strategic with your heating: use it when it’s necessary, and avoid wasting energy when it’s not.
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