Central heating: should I leave my heating on all day in freezing weather? The big mistake UK households make
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Small changes to your heating can make a big difference, without turning your home into an icebox ❄️
- Heating and hot water make up more than half of the average household energy bill
- Experts say leaving the heating on all day usually costs more than heating when needed
- Simple thermostat and timer changes can save around £100 a year
- Heating only the rooms you use can cut waste without reducing comfort
- Smart controls and regular servicing can also help keep heating costs down
When the temperature drops, one question reliably divides households: is it cheaper to leave the heating on all day at a low level, or turn it on only when you need it?
With heating and hot water making up more than half of the average energy bill, getting this wrong can be costly.
Energy experts are clear on one thing: most homes are wasting money not because they feel the cold, but because their heating controls aren’t being used properly.
The good news? Small tweaks to how you run your heating can save hundreds of pounds a year, without sacrificing comfort.
Is it cheaper to leave the heating on all day?
For the vast majority of UK homes, the answer is no. Leaving your heating on constantly means your boiler has to work throughout the day to replace heat escaping through walls, windows and roofs.
Turning it on only when you need it reduces that heat loss and lowers your overall energy use.
Modern central heating systems are designed to heat homes efficiently from cold. You don’t “use extra energy” reheating a cold house compared with maintaining warmth all day. What matters is how long the system is running, and that’s where controls come in.
Start with your thermostat
Your room thermostat is the boss of your heating system. It switches the heating on until the room reaches your chosen temperature, then turns it off again until the temperature drops.
Crucially, turning the thermostat up higher won’t heat your home any faster, it will only make it hotter than necessary. It’s recommended that you set it to the lowest temperature you find comfortable, typically between 18°C and 21°C.
Dropping the thermostat by just one degree - from 22°C to 21°C - can save around £90 a year. Make sure the thermostat isn’t blocked by furniture or curtains, and keep it away from radiators so it can read the room temperature accurately.
Use your timer or programmer properly
If you’re heating an empty home, you’re burning money. A timer or programmer allows you to heat your home only when it’s needed.
A good rule of thumb is to set the heating to come on around 30 minutes before you get up, and switch off around 30 minutes before you go to bed. If you’re out during the day, programme the heating to stay off until you return.
Always check the clock on your programmer, especially after the clocks change, as incorrect settings can quietly add to your bills.
Heat the rooms you use, not the ones you don’t
Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) let you control the temperature of individual rooms. This means you can keep living areas warm while turning down radiators in bedrooms, spare rooms or rooms you rarely use.
Most TRVs run from 0 to 6. Settings of 3 to 4 are usually comfortable for main rooms, while 2 to 3 is often enough for bedrooms. Adding TRVs to a system that already has a thermostat and timer can save around £35 a year.
Check your boiler settings
Your boiler has its own thermostat that controls the temperature of the water flowing to your radiators. If this is set too low during very cold weather, your home may struggle to reach the desired temperature, even if everything else is set correctly.
Heat pump users should follow manufacturer guidance, as these systems work most efficiently at lower, steady temperatures.
Smarter heating, less effort
Smart heating controls allow you to adjust your heating remotely via an app, so you’re not heating an empty house if plans change. Some systems even learn your habits and adjust automatically to reduce energy use.
Finally, make sure your boiler or heat pump is serviced annually. A well-maintained system runs more efficiently, and if you rent, your landlord is responsible for arranging this.
With household expenses continuing to rise and energy bills still higher than pre-crisis levels, more people are turning to Utility Warehouse (UW) to save money. UW lets you bundle services like broadband, mobile, energy and insurance into one streamlined account—reducing hassle while unlocking multi-service discounts. The more you bundle, the more you save.
Customers benefit from a single monthly bill, up to £400 towards early exit fees, and access to cashback on everyday spending. UW also offers the UK’s cheapest variable energy tariff when bundled, helping shield households from further price hikes.