Is it Efficient to Leave Your Central Heating On all the Time?

Is it efficient to leave your central heating on?

  Here at Mr Central heating, we regularly get asked if it is efficient to leave your central heating on all the time. We often get questions such as:  

• Will my boiler run all the time if I leave heating running permanently?
• Will it cost me more money to leave my central heating on all day/night?
• Is it more eco-friendly to turn off my central heating system when not in use?

  The way we heat our houses is changing to reflect the way we live today. We are more environmental conscious about our impact we have on the earth. This is highlighted by the change in attitude towards baths and showers, with many of the population opting for quick showers rather than long luxurious baths. Showers use a lot less water than baths. Therefore, they use less energy, aren’t as wasteful and are more cost effective to run. We are breaking down some of the myths and misconceptions about if it is efficient to leave your central heating on all the time or not.

 

Heating Is Used Differently in Modern Homes.

The hot water that we require and the boilers that supply this, has changed. It simply is not necessary to have your boiler on for any longer that you need to. With the rise in showering frequency, it has caused boilers to be more reactive. It is unsurprisingly that combination boilers now account for 80% of all our sales. The amount of energy a modern combi boiler needs to run effectively is a lot less than a traditional boiler and it can make a big difference to your meter readings.   Previously, if you had a programmer it would come on irrespective of outside or inside temperature. Energy efficiency has become a priority for many people and this simply is not efficient. With new and improved insulation in our modern homes and an altered lifestyle, how we heat our homes has also changed in the last couple of decades.   So, if we do not need hot water all the time, do we need heat? In short, the answer is no. Due to busier lifestyles that may mean we are on different schedules, we need our heating schedule to be completely adaptable to our needs. With the warmer weather coming, we will not need to use the heating as often. With room thermostats becoming more commonplace, we are using temperature to create comfort any time, for as often (or not) as you would like.  

Modern Home Insulation and Smart Home Devices.

Gone are the days when all you would find in a home was the occasional draught excluder. Now modern homes tend to have double/triple glazing, draft proofing, loft insulation, and sometimes even cavity wall insulation. Because our homes and boilers are more energy efficient and our homes have better draught proofing, heat loss is lower. This means heating costs are cheaper since our heating systems do not have to work so hard to maintain a comfortable temperature.     If we go back to the original question; Is it efficient to leave your central heating on all day is down to the system you have and the type of heating controls you use. As suggested above, there are quite a few variables today that impact on your heating. If you do not have a room thermostat then we would suggest one. They are easy to install and having temperature control in your house will save you money. Check out our full range of thermostats here.   If you already have a room thermostat or temperature heating controls on your radiators, then setting an average temperature will give you flexibility to adapt to your current needs. Setting your room stat to a constant temperature of 18*c will allow your boiler to work more efficiently. When you require 20*C or above this will be an easier target temperature to reach and much quicker.  

TRVs for Heating Efficiency.

Having this kind of Thermostatic Radiator Valve (TRVs) on your radiators means you can control the amount of heat the radiators output, you can lower your heating bills by controlling the temperature in rooms that require more or less heat. So, you can have a toasty living room, but turn the radiator off in rooms that are barely used. Ultimately, for this low-cost investment, energy efficiency is greatly improved thus saving you money on your energy bills.  

Should You Leave Underfloor Heating Switched On?

There is one exception that does tend to be left on all day at a constant temperature, and that is underfloor heating. It can take a long time to heat up it is better to leave this on to maintain a good room temperature, keeping your socks warmer for longer.    

Smart Heating Controls Can Save You Money.

In nearly all instances, having a thermostat is the best way to control your heating and make sure it works for you and your schedule. More and more people are adapting to smart thermostats as they can learn from you and your needs and can generally be controlled from anywhere using a smart phone. Look at our range of smart thermostats now.  

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