When are you putting the heating on this year and what temperature and general heating advice

Time2Go_25

It normally goes on at the end of October and off at the end of May. Probably do the same this year, 16 overnight, never kicks in, 19 during the day as there's nearly always someone in and then 21 between about 6pm and 9pm

ariarnia

we put the heating on when the house (walls) feel cold which means it varies year to year. last year it was around the middle of october but before now it's been november or september. it normally goes off in February or march (one year we turned it off in feb then back on because we had snow in march!) we keep the thermostat at 16 but it doesn't click on very often.

the house has thick walls and we've got good insulation and double glazing. we also have a wood stove in the lounge and thick curtains on the lounge windows and door (can't have an actual door on the lounge as the dog and cat then drive us batty wanting to come in and out and one of the kids will always forget to close it!) and if anyone is cold in the evening they have to come into the lounge for sociable family time. this means for us the house is plenty warm enough during the day when we're all doing things and the lounge is cosy and warm during the evening. and it encourages us to do family game and movie nights (teaching the kids how to play poker!) which is a nice way to pass the winter. 

separate to this I also have a mini radiator in my office room that runs on a theromostat and the door is kept closed to keep the heat in this room (this year i am weighing up the cost of travel to work and not being here when the kids come home from school, so after school clubs with travel to the office to use their electricity)

Jyana

I'm not sure how long the oil I have managed to buy will last, so the heating is only going to go on when the temperature really drops. I usually have it at about 16c during the day and then turn it down to 12c at night, but am planning to try and turn it off for part of the day and then down to maybe 10c or lower overnight this winter as I have new double glazing and the outer walls reinsulated. (It has certainly helped during the recent heatwave as it didn't get above 24c at any point, so if it does even half as good at keeping the heat in as it did at keeping the summer sun out, I will be happy).

Ally_E.

When the temperature in the living room or the office drops to 18C. Last year that was around 23rd of September.

Sea_Shell

Same as last year TBH.

However, this was already only on (timer) from 7am to 9pm with the thermostat set at 16⁰ (hall), which keeps the lounge at about 18.

Will probably be ad-hoc during October, but moved to "on" from November.

We already wear jumpers and have blankets for snuggling under whilst watching TV, plus HWB for really cold nights when even the 15 tog quilt doesn't feel enough.

We've never had the heating on overnight.

griffb

Ultrasonic said:

griffb said:

Woke up this morning to find the CH had switched on. I know we have the thermostat set high (18 overnight, 24 daytime) but still a bit of a surprise. Think I might try dialing it down to 23 to see if anyone (ie wife) notices

I'd switch it OFF until anyone notices. 23 still seems very high, although you may have health issues that dictate this. Do you have warm clothes on at this temperature? 

No health issues, and no I don't "layer up" to stay warm - short sleeve polo all year round. Tried running the house cooler and wearing a jumper once and just felt so uncomfortable. My daughter always complains that we have the house too warm, and tbh I would prefer a few degrees cooler, but wife will start complaining if the temperature drops below 23.9999

TheBanker

I normally start using mine in late September/October, but I don't set the timer, I just use the boost button for an hour when I'm chilly (after putting on jumpers). I tend to use the timer from mid-October when I want the house warm for when I wake up, and in the evening.

I think this year I'll stick to turning it on manually as required. I've got an app so if I need to I can turn it on before I leave work so the house is warm when I get home.

I've also got a smart meter this year so I can track how bad my bills will be easily. 

luvchocolate

Ultrasonic said:

I actually don't use my heating the way the question was posed but rather rely principally on turning my heating on and off manually. For me relying on a thermostat wastes energy and money, as I've never been able to find a setting that comes on when I want it but then doesn't result in it being on too long so that I end up warmer than necessary. In part I suspect this is because what room temperature I'll be comfortable at will vary with activity levels. Always having to make a conscious decision to turn the heating on in itself will tend to reduce usage a bit, as well as avoiding things like it coming on unnecessarily just before I know I'm going out or going to bed. 

So what I do with my thermostat is toggle it between off (frost protection mode) and on (with a set temp of 18 degrees usually and the portable thermostat in my lounge) as needed.

I would recommend others at least give this approach a try to see if it helps them use less energy too.

Exactly What I do 

rp1974

My heating is always on as such,controlled by the Drayton Wiser system as and when it needs heated.Mostly off overnight and when not at home with a 15 degree minimum,and set to 19 degrees at other times,very rarely 21 degrees if I've gotten particularly cold or wet travelling home.
Never have used,nor grasped the whole heating "season" stuff,if it's too cold heating goes on,if it's not cold enough it doesn't in essence,living in south west Scotland cold weather can occur at almost any time with little warning.
My now late grandparents did have a heating season whereupon they chose to be cold on occasion between April and September because it wasn't "time" for the heating to be on despite being well able to afford it,not such a practical option now though for many.

Trynsave2

I worry that too many people are following the media's headline 'heating or eating'. I understand that heating is a seasonal cost and that other energy usage, apart from extra lighting perhaps, is pretty constant throughout the year. However, as electricity is way more expensive than gas, people should be being encouraged to switch off appliances, especially the energy hungry ones, as a priority before being frightened to not put on the heating when it gets cold.

The narrative needs to change.