With temperatures dropping and just a matter of days to go before the clocks go back, people across the UK will soon be engaging in the annual debate on when to switch on the central heating — if they haven’t already turned it on, that is. Ofgem’s energy price cap went up on October 1, raising bills from £1,663 to £1,723 per year for a household using the typical amount of gas and electricity.
With a further increase predicted in January, people will be looking for ways to keep central heating costs as low as possible this autumn and winter. To help prepare for the colder seasons, I asked several energy and plumbing experts for advice on the best temperatures to keep your thermostat at for both comfort and cost, and the general consensus might come as a surprise to some.
Many households will be looking for ways to reduce their gas and electric bills this winter (Image: Getty)
George Penny, energy expert at The Solar Co, said: “The sweet spot for most UK households is 20°C when you are at home and active. It is warm enough for the vast majority of people to feel comfortable, but it stops your heating system from running longer than it needs to.
“If you set it higher than that, you are effectively telling your boiler to keep working until it reaches a temperature you are unlikely to need to feel comfortable. In practice, that means setting your heating to come on around 30 minutes before you get up, so your home is already at a comfortable temperature when you wake, rather than having to wait for the radiators to warm up.”
One size does not fit all, however, with the expert adding: “Comfort is personal, and different household members have different needs. For elderly people, those with health conditions such as heart or lung disease, or anyone who is not very mobile, the NHS recommends heating your home to at least 18°C.
“If you are under 65, healthy and active, you can safely have your home cooler than that, as long as you feel comfortable. The key is not to drop below 16°C for extended periods, as that can encourage damp and make the environment feel genuinely unpleasant.
“For households with babies, the guidance is slightly different. The Lullaby Trust recommends keeping a baby’s room between 16°C and 20°C, with 18°C being the sweet spot. Babies are less able to regulate their own body temperature, and overheating is a known risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome, so it is safer for them to be a little cooler rather than too hot.
“For toddlers and young children, the advice is more flexible – as long as they are dressed appropriately, they can sleep at similar temperatures to adults. Check the back of their neck or chest rather than their hands or feet, which often feel cool even when a child is perfectly comfortable, and adjust layers rather than relying on a very warm room.”
Patrick Garner, gas safe engineer at Heatable, agreed, explaining: “For most people, 19°C to 20°C is a good starting place for a thermostat. While some people will prefer it a little warmer, it’s best to begin with a lower baseline and increase the temperature as you need it, so you’re not paying more than you have to. A couple of degrees doesn’t feel like much, but it can really add to your heating bill.”
Stephen Hankinson, energy efficiency expert at Electric Radiators Direct, advised: “Once temperatures fall below 15°C, it’s a good idea to start heating your home. Ideally, aim to keep your living spaces at a minimum of 18°C (65°F), although many people prefer their living rooms to be a bit warmer.
“As we approach the autumn months, even those who are usually resilient to the cold will likely need to start heating their homes, as temperatures are expected to drop even further in the weeks to come.
“Before the cold weather sets in, it’s a good idea to run a few quick checks on your heating system. Turn it on for a few hours to test, whether that means switching on your boiler or using electric radiators. This will give you plenty of time to identify any issues and have them repaired well before winter arrives.”
Lee Saunders, Plumbing and Heating expert at Toasty.co.uk, said: “It may sound counterintuitive, but turn down the thermostat on the boiler; you won’t notice the difference in warmth, but your bank account will. Turning down the heat by just one degree can save you up to 10% on your heating bills. To keep your spaces inviting and comfortable I recommend keeping your rooms in the 18ºC-21ºC range, this way you will still be cosy without the added cost.”
Nick Duggan, Director, The Radiator Centre also weighed in, explaining: “Efficiency comes down to smart habits and control. Use thermostatic radiator valves to heat only the rooms you use regularly and keep your thermostat at a sensible level – usually 18–20°C in living spaces.
“Pair that with simple tricks like closing curtains at dusk and shutting internal doors to keep warmth in. If you can, invest in a smart thermostat, which fine-tunes your heating to your lifestyle, avoiding energy waste while keeping you perfectly comfortable.”