Turning up the thermostat does not heat a home any faster, and doing so only increases energy costs, according to the Energy Saving Trust. The organisation has also highlighted that lowering the thermostat setting from 22°C to 21°C can save £120 a year in Great Britain and £80 in Northern Ireland on energy bills.
As autumn brings cooler temperatures, a viral social media trend has encouraged people to "crank up the heating" and raise the thermostat setting in an attempt to warm the house more quickly. Energy experts have cautioned that this approach is ineffective and will cost more money.
How Thermostats Actually Work
The Energy Saving Trust explained: "A room thermostat stops your central heating system using more energy than it needs to. It turns the heating on until the room reaches the temperature you've set. Once it reaches the set temperature, it turns the heating off until the temperature drops again."
The organisation debunked the trend as a misconception, stating: "You don't need to turn your room thermostat up when it is colder outside. Your home will heat up to your chosen temperature whatever the weather, but it may take a little longer on colder days."
It added: "Remember: turning up your room thermostat won't make your home heat any faster! Also, bear in mind that room thermostats need a free flow of air to get a better sense of the temperature. Therefore, it's important to make sure they're not blocked by curtains or furniture and to keep them away from heat sources like radiators."
Ideal Temperature and Smart Timing
The organisation gave guidance on selecting the appropriate temperature, stating: "You should set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature for your needs." For most people, this is between 18°C and 21°C.
The Energy Saving Trust highlighted that a timer or programmer is beneficial as it allows you to manage when your heating and hot water activates and deactivates. It explained: "This is useful because it means you can programme your central heating based on when you need it. For example, you can programme the heating system for when you want warmth and switch off when you're not at home or at night."
The organisation recommended that generally, with a boiler, you should configure the central heating programme to turn on around half an hour before you get up, turn off around half an hour before you go to bed, and ensure the programmer's clock displays the correct time before establishing schedules. Numerous programmers adjust automatically during the spring and autumn clock changes; if yours doesn't, you'll need to update it manually.
Boiler Settings and Servicing
The Energy Saving Trust explained that a boiler typically features a dial or digital temperature control, occasionally labelled with numbers or ranging from minimum (min) to maximum (max). It recommended: "This sets the temperature of the water that's pumped from the boiler through the radiators to heat your home. This is known as the boiler flow temperature. If your boiler thermostat is set higher than needed, lowering it could save you money. This is because a lower flow temperature helps your boiler work more efficiently."
It added: "But if it's not set high enough when it's very cold outside, your home may not reach the temperature you need to be comfortable. Don't lower it below 65C if you have separate hot water cylinder, as lower temperatures can lead to the growth of harmful bacteria."
The organisation continued: "We recommend getting your boiler or heat pump serviced every year to make sure it's running properly. The cost of a service will vary depending on where you live and how much work is needed. This will help make sure your system is running at its most economical."
For renters, the Energy Saving Trust noted: "Renting your home? Your landlord should arrange and pay for the service. They also have to provide gas safety checks for your boiler and all other gas appliances."
