Why not putting the heating can cost you in the long run

The clocks have gone back, the temperatures are falling and the annual conversation about when to put the heating on has started. 

When money’s tight, deciding when to switch on the central heating, or if you should even put it on at all, can be a big decision.

Do you keep it off to try to save money, or just accept that staying warm at winter can be a bit pricy?

Not using central heating can be a false economy

Many of us will, rightly, start from the premise that we should heat people instead of the entire house.

For instance, you can turn radiators off in rooms you’re not using, wear extra layers or use hot water bottles.

And these are really effective ways to keep your energy bills down during winter.

But your house can suffer in the cold too, so it shouldn’t be neglected.

Burst pipes can cause expensive damage

Water expands when it freezes.

So if there’s a cold snap and the temperature plummets, the water inside your plumbing can freeze, expand and burst the pipes.

And that could lead to thousands of pounds worth of damage to your home and possessions.

On top of that, your home insurance might not pay out if this happens, as not having the heating on in cold weather could invalidate your policy.

So try to keep your heating above a minimum temperature, even if you’re away from home for a few days.

But I can’t afford to pay for heating this winter

With energy costs soaring, many households are genuinely worried about how they’ll be able to pay for heating in the winter months.

So if you’re among them, speak to your energy supplier as soon as you can.

You may be able to apply for a grant or hardship fund, or get emergency credit if you’re on a prepayment meter.

It could also be worth joining the Priority Services Register for extra support.

You can find more information about what help you can get with your energy bills here.

For more information on steps to take if you’ve fallen behind with your gas and electricity bill payments, read our guide on what to do about energy arrears.

We’ve also put together some tips on keeping costs down when temperatures drop, such as insulating your home, sealing draughts and bleeding your radiators.

What temperature should my home be?

The Energy Saving Trust estimates a 10% saving on heating bills for each degree reduced, though it’s recommended that people do not set them lower than 18°C. 

Instead, the advice is to heat your home to between 18°C and 21°C during winter.