The best way to run your central heating to save money

The first cold snap of winter is here, and even the hardiest among us are eying the thermostat. But when it comes to keeping your home warm over winter, there’s a lot of confusion. What is the cheapest way to run your central heating? Is it cheaper to leave the heating on low all day? What is the lowest temperature you should have your heating on?

The most economical and efficient way to run central heating often involves a combination of strategy, smart thermostat use, and proper insulation. Here’s everything you need to know about running your central heating efficiently.

The ‘On-Off’ vs. ‘Constant’ Debate

A long-standing debate revolves around whether it’s more efficient to leave the heating on constantly at a low temperature or to only turn it on when needed.

Expert Recommendation: heating on demand is the better option

Energy experts generally agree that turning the heating on only when you need it is the most efficient approach for most modern, well-insulated homes.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, keeping your heating on all the time if you have a boiler will use more energy and cost you more money. It’s more energy efficient – and ultimately better for your bills – to have your boiler or heating come on when you need it.

When your heating is on constantly, your boiler is repeatedly topping up the heat lost through the walls, windows, and roof. Even at a low setting, the cumulative energy used to offset this consistent heat loss is often more than the energy used to warm your home to a decent baseline temperature.

However there’s always exceptions. If you have a heat pump, for example, you can save money by leaving the heating on all day, as they function differently to boilers and rely on good insulation to work efficiently.

For properties that are exceptionally old or poorly insulated, where the temperature drops very quickly when the heating is off, leaving the heating on low might prevent pipes from freezing or structural dampness. However, this is more about property maintenance than pure energy efficiency.

The Optimal Thermostat Temperature

Setting the correct temperature is critical for efficiency. Many homes are unnecessarily overheated, and you’d be surprised how much you could save by dropping the temperature by even a degree or so.

Expert Recommendation: the 18°C to 21°C sweet spot

Energy advisory bodies recommend a comfortable temperature range that balances warmth and cost-saving. The UK Health Security Agency and similar public health bodies advise maintaining a temperature of at least 18°C in the main living areas of the home to prevent poor health effects. 

For healthy adults, a setting between 18°C and 21°C is often cited as the ideal comfort and efficiency zone.

💡 ivie tip: For every degree you lower your thermostat, you can typically save between 4% and 8% on your heating bill.

However, it’s best not to rely solely on the main thermostat – your home’s temperature might vary a lot between rooms. Use thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) on individual radiators to adjust the temperature in different rooms based on usage. This way, you can turn down the TRVs in unused guest bedrooms, while keeping the main living areas and bedrooms at the desired temperature.

Utilising Smart Technology

Modern heating controls, particularly smart thermostats, offer significant efficiency thanks to precise scheduling and remote control.

Expert Recommendation: scheduling can save you money

A study by Tado, a smart heating provider, found that their users saved an average of 22% on their energy bills thanks to their scheduling features, like turning heating off when the last person leaves the house.

Instead of waiting until it’s already cold to start trying to heat up, using a programmer to set scheduled morning and evening heating times helps keep the home warm when you need it. It’s best to program your heating to turn off before you leave the house and to come on shortly before you return, so your home will cool down and pre-heat strategically.

💡 ivie tip: The free ivie app can help you save an average 18% on your energy bills, by helping you understand where you’re using the most energy around the home. Click here to find out how.

Boiler Maintenance

Even the best strategy fails if the equipment is not running correctly!

Expert Recommendation: annual servicing 

Adam Snook, a writer for Which?, says “Spending on a boiler service could potentially spare you huge repair costs in the future, by addressing minor faults early on, as well as giving you peace of mind.”

The Gas Safe Register and major boiler manufacturers strongly recommend an annual boiler service. A well-maintained boiler operates more efficiently, reducing the risk of costly breakdowns and ensuring optimal performance. They have a brilliant home boiler guide that has everything you need to know included, no matter what kind of boiler you have.

There’s no single solution to running your heating efficiently, but these tips will help you save money on central heating while staying warm this winter.

Find more energy-saving tips here