Is it cheaper to keep the heating down all day or turn it on when needed?

Is it cheaper to keep the heating down all day or turn it on when needed?


Rising heating costs in the crisis: man controls the temperature at home with the heating thermostat to save energy, close-up with hand
With energy costs still high, how do you manage them efficiently? (Photo: Shutterstock/Frank Lambert)

The UK has seen more than a few cold snaps recently and, with energy takes what it doesmany households are looking for the most efficient way to turn on their heating.

But if the cost of living crisis continues, you may be wondering about the myth that it is cheaper to keep the heating down all day, rather than turning it up when needed.

So, is there any truth to that?

Here’s what you need to know.

Is it cheaper to leave the heating on low all day?

While it’s nice to think that keeping your heating on a low level throughout the day can save you some money, this doesn’t seem to be the case.

So says the money-saving maestro himself: Martin Lewis.

on Lewis’ Spaarexpert websiteexplains it: ‘Leaving the heating on only when needed is the best way to save energy, and therefore money, in the long run.’

According to the Confidence in energy savingsthe long-held belief that it is cheaper to leave the heating on low all day is indeed just a myth.


Woman with feet on radiator, reading
Focus on heating the rooms you use rather than the whole house (Picture: Getty)

Heating the house only when needed is the best way to save energy – and thus save money.

The other principle that many experts, including MoneySavingExpert, agree on is that you should “heat the person, not the house.”

This mainly means keeping yourself warm and focusing on heating the rooms you use.

For example, can you lower the heating elsewhere and settle down in your bedroom earlier?

How much does heating cost?

It is difficult to give a definitive answer to this.

There are several factors that affect heating bills, from your supplier to how well insulated your home is.

According to boiler plant.comthe following figures estimate how much heating costs per hour:

  • 11.51p per kWh (£2.76-£4.60) for a gas boiler (between 24kW and 40kW)
  • 11.35p per kWh (£2.72-£4.54) for an LPG boiler
  • 11.66p per kWh (£2.79-£4.66) for an oil fired boiler (between 24kW and 40kW)
  • 38.94p kWh (£9.34-£15.58) for an electric water heater

LAKE : When will government energy support end – and what will replace it?

LAKE : What is the Money Saving Boiler Challenge and can it help your energy bill?

LAKE : How this couple saved around £2,000 a year in energy bills by moving closer to work

Follow Metro on our social channels, at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Share your thoughts in the comments below