British Gas, Ovo, Octopus, EDF customers 'keeping heating on low' warned

UK households have been warned AGAINST keeping the heating on low all day - ahead of the new energy price cap. Danielle Michalska-Morris, Group Technical Innovation Manager at David Wilson Homes, has spoken out over the myth.

“There’s a common belief that leaving your heating on all day uses less energy than turning it on and off as needed. This isn’t usually the case; regularly turning heating on and off typically conserves more energy than keeping it running all day. When the heating is constantly on, your system works to maintain a set temperature, leading to ongoing energy consumption," she said, in a warning to British Gas, OVO, EDF, E ON Next, Octopus customers.

"However, the energy efficiency of this approach can vary depending on the type of heating system used. For example with a traditional gas boiler, intermittent heating (turning it on when you need it) usually conserves more energy than continuous operation, as gas boilers consume more energy trying to maintain a constant temperature throughout the day."

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She said: "For air source heat pumps, which work more gradually to heat spaces, keeping them on at a low level for extended periods may be more efficient than cycling them on and off. This is due to the nature of heat pumps, which function optimally when maintaining a steady temperature rather than heating from cold each time.”

Martin Lewis advised: "They say it's better to only put the heating on when you need it. You pay to pump energy in as and when is needed, and to keep pumping it in constantly isn't efficient. Using a timer's best, because your thermostat is designed to turn your heating on and off to keep your home at the temperature you set it at. So in general I'd stick with that."

"There are some engineers who argue that keeping the heating on low with all the radiators on and the boiler down can work as it reduces condensation," he said. The 52 year old cautioned: "When the heating is turned off it collects within the walls, and can help conduct heat outside the home.

"This means you lose heat more quickly and will use more energy as a result. So if your house is prone to that you may want to think about it."