Winter can seem never-ending, especially with the continual cold snaps hitting the UK this year.
However, that’s not holding us back from looking towards warmer seasons, in fact, we here at 100Green have spotted a spike in people asking “when to turn off heating UK” as the term has seen a 5,000% increase in the past month alone.
The answer to the age-old question of “when should I turn my heating off” will be different for everyone, as our heating preferences come down to each individual.
But, there are some common signs to keep in mind when it comes to potentially turning off our heating in spring.
However, the team of green energy experts here at 100Green have shared their top 3 things to keep in mind for those seeking guidance on when to turn their heating off:
When Should I Turn My Heating Off?
1. The average daily temperature
So, when is a good time to turn off the heat? A good general rule of thumb is that you should turn off your heating when the average daily temperature hits 15°C. This can happen as soon as March in the UK.
But as we all know, the UK weather is temperamental, so this will vary year by year and from region to region, so don’t stick to what you did in the years before.
Because of the (mostly) unpredictable weather conditions, it’s important to keep an eye on your local weather reports and work out when your own home reaches a comfortable internal temperature before turning the heating off.
2. What month should I turn my heat off?
There is no correct answer to this, but some of us may start to turn down the heat when the
clocks go forward. Others will start turning the heating off in summer, as they feel that more daylight will equal warmer weather.
However, this isn’t always the case, and it’s better to be flexible with your heating than choose a set date in the calendar to simply switch everything off.
3. Your home’s temperature
Another way to decide whether you should start turning the heating off or not is to use a room thermostat to keep an eye on your home’s internal temperature. The ideal home temperature is between 18 and 21°C.
However, during seasonal changes, manually monitoring your home temperature can be a tedious task, so opting for a smart heating system can help you avoid having to manually adjust your heating every day, as the system will automatically do this for you.
You can also measure your energy consumption on your smart meter if you have one.
4. Your home’s features
When it comes to heating a home, it goes without saying that some houses will retain heat better than others.
Features such as your home’s level of insulation, and the direction your windows face will have an impact on when you turn your heating off in the year.
Ensuring your windows are properly insulated can be one of the cheapest ways to heat a home.
South facing rooms will get more sunlight and naturally heat up more than homes with northern facing windows, so if the room you spend the most time in is located in this position, you’re guaranteed more natural warmth.
Those with conservatories may also find that they can turn their heating off earlier than others, as the sun can warm your home throughout the day.