During the colder months, many may be bleeding their radiators in preparation for reaching for that thermostat. Ensuring that the central heating system is working as efficiently as possible is one thing but how you use it also matters.
As the costs of energy become a more prevalent issue, along with climate change, many are looking for ways to save money and energy while keeping warm.
One of the queries is whether it is better to have the heating on at a consistent temperature all day or whether you should turn them on and then off intermittently.
Energy efficiency is important and understanding how to get the most out of your central heating system should save you money.
In this guide, we will look at whether turning off the radiators saves you money and the smarter way of heating your home.
Does Turning Off Radiators Save Money?
While you may want to return to a cosily warm home after a long day at work, you should still not leave the radiators on all day.
Having the heating on when you are not present to enjoy it is typically going to waste money and you should invest in a timer or a smart thermostat to ensure that your home is cosy when you get there.
This is where technology comes in as you could even use the WundaSmart app to set the heating on before your arrival so it gets a head start and has enough time to sufficiently warm up the home.
Keeping the doors closed and eliminating draughts to prevent cold air coming in are typically the ideal conditions for having the radiators turned off in the unused rooms of your home.
By preventing the water in the central heating system from heating up the radiators you are not using, your boiler should work more efficiently and the house will warm up sooner. With fewer radiators being used, the boiler should switch off sooner which uses up less energy and saves you money.
When you do turn the radiators off in your home for a prolonged period of time, you do risk the possibility of damp in certain rooms.
Particularly in north-facing rooms, there is a susceptibility to damp which you should be concerned about. If you do have the radiators off you may be saving money yet all that could be wasted when you have to sort out the damp.
If you do want to turn the radiators off, you should do so intermittently so the room does not smell fusty which could be a precursor to the damp appearing. You may also want to air out certain rooms by leaving the door open.
The Smarter Way Of Heating Your Home
If you are using a traditional thermostat that is set to a specific temperature, the radiators may not rest until the temperature is reached in that room.
Should you plan not to be in that room, you should turn the radiator off, not just turn it down. However, there is a smarter way to do this that does not mean physically touching the radiators.
With a smart heating control system like Wundasmart, each room can have its temperature controlled accordingly and remotely.
Being able to control the temperature in each room becomes crucial in the colder months. There is an assumption that keeping the heating on low for the entire day can save you money but this is largely a myth.
Whenever the heating is on, typically some of it is gone to heat loss (no matter how well insulated your home is) and the more energy you use, the more you are set to lose.
With a smart heating control system such as WundaSmart, you could use the app to set the heating to come on shortly before you get home.
With so many people working from home, you could get even smarter with your heating. A garden room could be easily built so you can have the heating off throughout the home as only a room outside will be occupied.
Keeping warm in a garden room is also relatively straightforward as you can easily install an underfloor heating system such as Wundatherm’s Premium+ Overfloor boards.
The hot water feed could come from the home, if it is close enough, or use a small electric stick boiler could heat the water instead.
Final Thoughts
Turning off the radiators in a room when it is not required will certainly save you money as having the heating on when no one is there to enjoy it is simply wasteful.
By using a smart heating control system such as WundaSmart, you can zone your home by each individual room.
You can even control each radiator and turn them off, except the crucial one in the room you are currently occupying and want to keep warm.
A smart system like WundaSmart can also allow you to remotely control the thermostat so you can return home with the heating already having been turned on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Turning Off The Heating At Nighttime Save Money?
Before you go to bed, you may be tempted to turn the heating off. As long as you have a cosy duvet, you can do without hearing the hum of your central heating system as you try to sleep.
However, this may not be a viable option as during the coldest nights you could risk the pipes freezing over which could then burst and result in significant water damage.
With a huge temperature difference, you could also overwork the heating system to reach the ideal temperature which could cost you money.
What Temperature Should The Thermostat Be Set To In Winter?
To save money during winter, you should set the thermostat to 20°C (68°F). This is an ideal room temperature across the home for comfort and energy efficiency.
