Overview
- Set thermostats to 18–21°C and do not crank them up to heat faster, as higher settings only keep systems running longer.
- Use a programmer so heating starts about 30 minutes before waking and switches off about 30 minutes before bedtime, and turn it off when the house is empty.
- Cut heat loss by sealing gaps, using heavy or thermal-lined curtains, and blocking keyholes or letterboxes, with 10–20% of heat escaping via windows and doors.
- Manage radiators by turning them down—not off—in unused rooms, while homes with heat pumps often perform best at a steady temperature.
- For freeze protection, enable frost settings or set the thermostat near 13°C when away, and consider efficiency and costs, from A-rated boilers to heat pumps with grants and typical outlays of about £3,700 for a gas boiler and £7,000–£12,000 for a pump.