Spring has sprung, or is, at the very least, in the process of springing. For many people this will cheer their spirits – the promise of warmer weather, longer days, blossom blooming, lambs frolicking... In our household, however, this new season brings something else – arguments about whether or not the central heating should still be on.
In all honesty, the central heating is one of the main causes of domestic disputes here. I live in an Edwardian cottage that is somehow perpetually cold, even in the middle of summer. If I had my way, the heating would be on pretty much permanently but, alas, the heating bills that would follow rule this out.
If, like me, you live with someone who is happy to just 'layer up' and are wondering how to navigate this time of fluctuating temperatures in terms of running your central heating I have been doing some investigating on your behalf. I asked a range of experts when the very best time to turn your central heating off at this time of year is to put an end to the thermostat battles.
Article continues belowWhen is the best time to turn off your central heating after winter?
Now that things are feeling a little less arctic, many people will be wondering whether they should be turning off their central heating – but when is the best time to do this?
"There are no strict rules for when homeowners should turn their heating off, although most people tend to do so around mid-April, once spring temperatures have started to increase and stabilise," advises Martin Garbutt, head of technical governance at home services platform Ding.
According to the experts I spoke to, rather than being a set date when everyone should shut down their central heating, it is more a case of being aware of how you home feels, how your boiler is running and the temperatures around you. Here are the three signs they said to look out for that indicate its time to turn off the heating and start saving energy.
Martin has more than 30 years' experience in the gas industry, so he knows a thing or two about boilers and heating systems. He worked for the gas regulator CORGI, before moving into the private sector in 2009 to oversee gas compliance matters on the Government’s flagship energy scheme, Warm Front.
He's recognised in the gas industry with an Incorporated Engineer status and he's currently a member of the Gas Utilisation Committee with the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM). Martin is a fully qualified gas incident investigator and has a proven track record of competence through the national Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS) in domestic, non-domestic and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) gas installations.
1. Outside temperatures are hotting up
One obvious sign that central heating season is over is when temperatures start rising outside.
"I’d say when it’s consistently reaching around 14 to 15°C during the day you can probably look at turning it off," says Martyn Fowler, founder of Elite Renewables. "At that point most homes hold enough warmth naturally and the heating doesn’t need to run continuously."
That said, Michael Zohouri, founder of Pyramid Eco, is also keen to point out the importance of looking at how you are using your heating right now.
"I would look at how often the system is actually running. By March or April, many types of boilers are still programmed with winter schedules that run several hours a day even though the house no longer needs that much heat," explains Michael. "In winter, many homes run heating cycles morning, afternoon and evening. In spring, you can normally remove the daytime cycle completely."
Founder of Elite Renewables, Martyn Fowler is one of the UK's leading renewable technology experts, working with heat pumps for the last two decades. His passion for decarbonisation matched with a deep technical experience of the technology make him one of the industry's go-to experts for all things renewable.
Michael Zohouri is the founder of Pyramid Eco, bringing over a decade of experience to the company. His expertise spans energy-efficient retrofitting projects, including insulation, solar and heat pump installations.
2. Your indoor temperatures are consistently warmer
This one might sound obvious, but it really is important to take a look at the ambient temperature inside your home if you want to gauge whether or not your central heating is still needed.
"What really matters is the indoor temperature and how well the house retains heat," says Martyn Fowler. "If the house is staying around 18°C without the heating running during the day, that’s a good sign you can begin reducing usage.
"Homes with good insulation will reach that point earlier than older or poorly insulated properties," points out Martyn.
"It’s also worth checking how quickly your home cools down overnight," adds Michael Zohouri. "If the indoor temperature only drops a couple of degrees by morning, that usually means the building is holding heat well and you can reduce heating hours further."
3. The heating isn't coming on during the day
If your central heating system runs on a thermostat, it is usually simple to see whether or not it needs to be on any longer.
"I encourage homeowners to pay attention to how often the boiler actually fires during the day," says Michael Zohouri. "If it hasn’t needed to come on for several afternoons in a row, that’s usually a clear sign the heating schedule can be cut back again."
Martyn Fowler agrees. "One simple sign is when the heating hasn’t turned on for several days in a row even though it’s still programmed. That usually means the house is staying warm enough on its own," says Martyn.
"The key is to let the thermostat do the work," he continues. "Set a sensible target ambient temperature and let the heating only come on when the house actually needs it. Many homes waste energy in spring simply because the winter schedule is still running even though the weather has improved."
What is the most efficient way to run your heating in spring?
The UK weather is notoriously unreliable meaning that even when spring arrives, just because we might enjoy glorious sun and warmer temperatures for a week, there is no guarantee that we won't be back to gloomy skies and a distinct chill in the air the next – so what is the most efficient way to use central heating in the UK in the springtime?
"Spring is really about tapering heating down gradually," advises Michael Zohouri. "Adjust the timer, shorten the heating cycles and let the house respond to the milder weather rather than keeping the winter settings running.
Martyn Fowler agrees. "Spring is about adjusting the schedule rather than switching the heating off completely. Instead of running the system throughout the day like in winter, it’s more efficient to use shorter heating periods," says Martyn. "A short run in the morning can take the chill out of the house, and sometimes a quick boost in the evening is enough if temperatures drop again."
"A smart thermostat can make it easier to deal with temperature fluctuations, as this can auto-adjust your heating based on different environmental factors and measured temperatures," points out Martin Garbutt. “If you pre-program what temperature you’d like the home to be, whenever it dips below that, the heating will auto-turn on. These settings can often be controlled by your smartphone, allowing you to regulate your home’s temperature wherever you are.
“In the warmer summer months, lowering a boiler’s flow temperature is a simple change that could help reduce energy bill costs by up to £65," adds Martin. "To do this, reduce the flow temperature using the buttons or dial on the control panel. If it’s not clear from looking at your boiler, check your manual for how to do this."
This smart thermostat kit has everything you need to start saving energy and money. Easy to install, it is suitable for use with all kinds of heating systems and allows you to adjust temperatures and set schedules all from your smart device via the app.
FAQS
How should you maintain your heating system over summer?
Once your heating is well and truly no longer needed, don't just forget about it. You need to ensure that when you do need it again, it won't let you down.
"The warmer months are a great time to make sure everything is working properly," explains Martin Garbutt. "Start by assessing your radiator's efficiency by checking for any cold spots at the top of the radiator. This means that air has collected in the radiator, preventing hot water from circulating and heating. This is when bleeding a radiator is required.
“The warmer spring and summer periods are usually the best time to have your boiler serviced, as demand for engineers tends to be lower," adds Martin. "This also means that any issues can be fixed while the use of the heating is low.”
If you are keen to turn off your central heating but are still feeling the cold at certain times of the day, it is well worth looking at other types of heat emitters to help bridge the gap. Oil-filled radiators and other types of electric heater can really come in handy for a quick heat boost.
