The exact date you should be turning your heating on this October – but you need to rearrange your living room first
AUTUMN is well and truly upon us as temperatures overnight are getting closer to zero.
If you live in the UK, the chances are you’re thinking about the damp, chilly reality of British winter, and the cost of living crisis isn’t helping matters. So choosing when to switch the heating on is a difficult decision for many.
Heating specialists at BestHeating have analysed Met Office data from the past five years to work out the exact date you should stick your radiators on - and the best date is based on NHS advice and Met Office stats.
Jess Steele, a heating technology expert said: “Whilst there isn’t an optimum time to switch heating on, our research shows that once temperatures are below 15°C, usually in the middle of October, it is best to turn the heating on as we feel the chill more.
“By the end of the month, even the hardiest among us will have our heating on to keep warm as temperatures are predicted to drop further.”
The exact date the experts suggest households should get radiators pumping hot water is October 20.
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After that date, temperatures outside aren’t expected to rise above 15°C for the rest of the year ― but we did see temperatures of 23°C on the 29th of October last year.
So if similar weather patterns occur, the experts reckon the switch-on date will be delayed to November 2.
Jess added: “If it is below 13°C outside then serious health issues can arise, especially in vulnerable people.
“With many worried about their finances, it can be tempting to hold off putting the heating on but be careful delaying this too long as this can hurt your body,” she told.
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But before turning your heating on, you should have a look around your house and make sure nothing is blocking the radiators.
It sounds basic, but many households place large, bulky items in front of radiators - especially sofas.
This is a waste of energy, as the heat projecting from the radiator goes straight into the furniture, instead of circulating around the room.
If you have tables over radiators, move them forward a couple of inches so the heat emits from the top of the radiator too.
To add to this, if your radiators are under windows, it’s important your curtains don’t cover the radiators when they’re shut at night.
Utility Bidder experts said if curtains cover the radiators, it “directs the heat towards the window” and then outside.
Instead, place your curtains behind your radiator to distribute the heat across the room.
You might also think leaving your curtains closed during the day will keep the heat inside, but we’re still getting an impressive amount of sunlight in the daytime in the UK, so leave your curtains and blinds open.
This way, every last available sun ray will hit the room and can increase the inside temperature by a small, but humble amount of degrees.
As for what temperature your thermostat should be set to, Martin Lewis urges households to take the ‘Thermostat Challenge’ where you turn your heating down by 1° if you can.
In turn, this could save you roughly 10 per cent on your heating bill.
He previously explained: “The World Health Organisation says 18° is fine for healthy adults. Younger, older, or ill, you might need more.
“It’s not for me to tell you what to do but I’d like you to try reducing one degree. So say you’re at 21°, try reducing to 20°.”
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If you're looking for other heating hacks, a money saving guru has revealed why you should be placing a sheet of tin foil behind your radiators.
Meanwhile, one mum tested how much it costs to leave the heating on all day - and whether it's more efficient than short burst of heating throughout the day.