Central Heating Tips

Your heating and hot water accounts for over half of what you spend on energy bills. That’s why it’s important to get the most out of your central heating system.

Read on below for the latest tips on using your central heating during the colder months of the year.

Set your room thermostat

A room thermostat prevents your heating system from using more fuel than necessary. It will turn the heating on to reach the temperature you’ve set and then switch off until the temperature drops below your programmed temperature setting.

The thermostat should be set to the lowest comfortable temperature for you, which for most is between 18°C and 21°C. With your temperature set, you don’t need to turn your room thermostat up when it is colder outside as your house will heat up to the set temperature whatever the weather – however, it can take a little longer on colder days.

Turning your thermostat higher than your comfortable temperature setting won’t make your home heat faster; it will only waste fuel and increase your bills.

To get the best out of your thermostat, you need to make sure it has a free flow of air to sense the room’s temperature accurately. Make sure it’s not blocked by curtains or furniture and keep it away from heat sources.

Seal any leaks and draughts

Since thermostats work by sensing the room’s temperature, it’s important to keep warm air locked inside your home. If there are leaks or draughts, your heating system will use more energy to maintain a comfortable temperature.

By sealing leaks and draughts, commonly found around windows, doors, and lofts, you can ensure your system performs efficiently.

Use your timer/programmer

A timer or programmer allows you to control when your heating and hot water turns on and off.

This is a useful feature because it lets you schedule your heating to fit your household routine. For instance, you can set it to switch off when you’re not at home or during the night when heating isn’t needed.

Programmers also allow you to set specific on and off time periods. It’s best to set your heating to come on around half an hour before you get up and turn off half an hour before you go to bed. If your house is empty during the day, you can program the heating to switch off during this time.

Make sure the clock on your programmer is correct before setting any schedules and adjust it when clocks also change.

Use thermostatic radiator valves

Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) allow you to control the temperature of individual radiators, letting you turn down the heat in rooms you aren’t using.

They work by sensing the air temperature around them. If the room is warmer than the set temperature, the valve will close slightly to reduce the flow of hot water going into the radiator. If the room temperature drops below the set level, the valve will then open to increase the flow of hot water.

TRVs are usually marked on a scale from 0-6, where 0 being off and 6 is fully open. Aim for the lowest setting that keeps a room comfortable, which will help save energy and reduce your bills.

Check your boiler thermostat

Your boiler will have a dial or digital setting to control the temperature of the water pumped through your radiators. If the setting is too low when it’s cold outside, your home may not reach the desired temperature. However, if you turn the boiler thermostat temperature down on a combi boiler to 60 degrees, it can improve your boiler’s efficiency by nearly 4%, saving you money in the process.

Shut your curtains and consider thermal alternatives

Glass isn’t great for retaining heat, so it’s important to cover your windows with curtains or blinds when it’s cold. This helps insulate your home and prevent heat from escaping.

On sunny days, windows can let in natural light and warmth, but at night, keeping your curtains closed is essential for retaining heat.

Buy smart heating controls

Controlling your heating system is easier than ever with smart boiler controls. These advanced controls connect to your boiler and the internet, allowing you to access and adjust them remotely.

With a smart heating system, you can make changes via a mobile app. For example, if you’re running late, you can delay the heating, or if you’re coming home earlier than expected, you can adjust it accordingly.

Once set up, smart controls can learn your habits and adjust automatically to minimise energy use.

Find out more in our Smart Boiler Guide.

To complement your smart heating controls, get a smart meter from your energy supplier. A smart meter automatically sends your energy readings to your supplier without the need for you to send them yourself.

By having a physical meter where you can view your energy usage by the hour, you can take more control of your heating habits to save energy and money off your bills.

Close your doors to keep the heat in one room

If you’re spending a cold day in just one room, you can reduce the amount of space that needs heating. Close the doors to keep the heat contained in that room. Just be sure to turn off radiators in rooms you’re not using or use a smart thermostat to control this.

At the same time, keep the doors to any unused box room or office closed, so heat isn’t wasted in spaces you rarely use.

Regularly service your boiler to keep it efficient

Your central heating system is only as good as its boiler, so keeping it efficient is key for any homeowner. A well-maintained system will reduce your energy costs and lower greenhouse emissions.

Book a service at least once a year to catch any faults early, as you don’t want to be left with a house without heating during colder months.

Find out more about how often your boiler should be serviced in our guide.

Bleed your radiators

Trapped air in radiators can cause several issues in boilers, such as strange noises, but also it hinders performance. To keep your central heating system running efficiently, bleed your radiators to release trapped air.

If you’re unsure how to bleed a radiator, check out our helpful guide to find out more.

Replace your boiler

If you’re following all the above tips but still not getting the desired performance or your bills are exceptionally high, then it may be time to replace your boiler.

Choosing the right boiler isn’t the easiest decision, but Navien UK makes it easy for you. Our Find a Boiler tool will help you determine whether a Combi Boiler or a System Boiler is the best for your home.For more information about Navien boilers, get in touch with us today.