The Best Time to Put Your Heating On

Every autumn the same question comes up: do you switch the heating on early and stay cosy or wait as long as you can to save money? With energy bills still high, timing can make a big difference to your wallet and your wellbeing.

The truth is, there isn’t a magic date when everyone should turn on their heating. The best guide is simple: switch it on when you start to feel cold. If your home is too chilly, it can damage your health, especially if you’re older or unwell. Infants and toddlers can also suffer. Staying warm isn’t just about comfort, it’s about staying well.

How to stretch the pennies before you switch on

If you’re worried about costs, there are easy steps to help keep the chill out for longer:

• Layer up first: a jumper, socks or even a blanket can make a real difference. Heating a person is cheaper than heating a whole house.
• Keep heat in: close curtains before it gets dark, block draughts around doors and windows, move furniture away from radiators so heat can circulate and shut internal doors to keep warmth where you need it.
• Use your rooms wisely: focus on heating the spaces you spend the most time in, not the whole property.

Smarter heating habits

When the heating does go on, how you run it matters:

• Set the thermostat sensibly: around 18–21°C is enough for most homes. Each extra degree adds unnecessary cost
• Time it right: aim for the heating to come on shortly before you get up or get home and switch it off when you don’t need it. Constant low-level heating wastes more money than it saves.
• ‘Set and Forget’ is a myth: heating your home only when required is the best way to save money. Leaving the heating on constantly means you’re paying to replace heat that escapes, no matter how well-insulated your home is.
• Check your system now: don’t wait for a frosty night to discover a problem with your boiler or radiators. A quick test run now could prevent a bigger bill later.

The bottom line

The “best time” to turn the heating on isn’t about a date on the calendar, it’s about how you feel in your home. Use layers and draught-proofing to delay it if you can, and when heating does go on, run it smartly - not earlier, not all day, but timed around your schedule - to keep bills as low as possible.

If you’re struggling to pay for energy this winter, check what support might be available, from Warm Home Discount to local council schemes. Staying warm and well doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank.