Do you need to leave the heating on when your away?

black-saturn

I was away last week on a short break in Germany for 3 nights. As you know in the UK there has been loads of snow. I've just found out that while I was away my parents came round at 9am every day and switched the heating on and then back at 3.30pm to switch it off. They said they were worrying about the pipes freezing and costing a lot of money. I was hoping to save on electric and gas etc while I was away and I always switch everything off when I leave, even the fridge!!

So my question is is there really a need to have the heating on all the time when the weather is cold? Surely the pipes indoors wont freeze anyway and the pipes outside will freeze whether you have the heating on or not. I wish I could put a stop to this annoying practice my parents have of coming in when your not there and putting your heating on. My heating is on more when I'm not in than when I'm in!! It's costing me a fortune.

zincoxide

During cold spells you should have the heating on, however I wouldn't put it on for that length of time!! Just an hour or so to keep the chill out of the air - it's cheaper to pay for the heating than having a burst pipe!

black-saturn

Thanks. How cold do you call a cold spell? I went away in october and they did the same to me then and it wasnt all that cold. So how cold do you think would warrant the heating being on when your not there?

ariba10

If you have a timer set it to come on for about an hour a day, about 2 to 3 AM (When it is coldest) and that should cover it.

zincoxide

I'd say when the temperature is dropping to freezing or maybe just above. Like ariba10 has said, set it to come on for about an hour a day.

tigger2

About right anything below freezing should be looked at. Remember if you have a header tank in the loft if gets very cold. Always worth keeping a bit of insulation taken away underneath to let the warm up. Turn the water down low and the boiler down low but 1hr at nite and 1 very early morning should not take to much money! but give you peace of mind

c_smith

The easiest and safest way to ensure that your pipes don't freeze is to leave the heating on the constant setting, but turn the room thermostat down to somewhere between 5 and 10 degrees. I would err on the side of caution and opt for the 10, but if you're a skinflint then you will probably get away with 5.

Poppy9

I've just come back after 2 weeks away and our heating and water was turned off completely for the 2 weeks. Apparently it was very cold here too with snow etc.

rsvtoddy

Solution to OP - change the locks and set the heating as YOU want it!

Really you should leav a bit of background heating on - turn the thermostat down as suggested and turn the hot water off.

YKIMS!

f107btx

Turn stoptap off and drain system.Result no water in pipes to freeze