Should you leave your heating on or switched on/off this winter? You might be surprised by the answer

For immediate release

Dwellow, a leading provider of renewable heating and home upgrade solutions, today publishes expert advice aimed at helping UK households make smarter decisions about their winter heating strategy.

With UK government pressure to shift to low-carbon heating systems (including heat pumps) and homeowners facing volatile energy costs, understanding how to use home heating systems efficiently is critical - especially in cold weather.

However, the question of whether to leave heating on constantly or to use an on/off/cycle approach doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer.

Instead, Dwellow says the right approach hinges on three key factors: the type of heating system (traditional boiler versus heat pump), the insulation quality of the home, and the weather/usage pattern.

Dwellow co-founder Ian McLaren, explains “Many homeowners hear conflicting advice about whether to leave their heating on or switch it on and off. With energy bills at record levels, getting the approach right matters more than ever.

“What our guidance shows is that the best strategy depends largely on your system type and insulation level - not just habit or assumptions. For heat-pumps in particular, many homes will see better efficiency from steady, low-temperature operation rather than repeated switching on and off.”

Dwellow advises;

• For homes with traditional boilers, especially those in well-insulated buildings, turning the heating on only when required (i.e., on/off cycles) is generally more efficient. Modern condensing boilers are designed to work efficiently in short bursts.
  
  
• For homes with air-source heat pumps, the opposite trend often applies: maintaining a consistent temperature - leaving heating running at a low level - tends to deliver better performance. Heat pumps consume the largest amount of power during startup and are more efficient when running steadily rather than repeatedly cycling.
  
  
• Home insulation matters hugely. “Homes with excellent insulation are better suited for on/off heating cycles,” says McLaren. Conversely, poorly insulated homes might benefit from constant low-level heating to avoid excessive losses.
  
  
• Smart thermostats can also optimise performance because heating can be tailored more precisely according to the homeowner needs, room usage and outside conditions.

McLaren also said homeowners with condensing boilers (most combi boilers are condensing) could improve their system efficiency by around 4% by turning down the flow temperature to around 50C. It can then be increased or decreased depending on comfort levels. Boiler flow temperature is the temperature your boiler heats water to before it gets sent to your radiators.  

He explained, “Many boiler engineers set flow temperatures at 70–75°C when they install them, but most homes don’t actually need heat this high. Condensing boilers stop condensing above 70°C, which can reduce efficiency by around 10%. Lowering the flow temperature to the lowest comfortable level helps the boiler operate more efficiently, uses less gas, reduces running costs, and still keeps your home warm and comfortable.”

If you’ve got a conventional boiler you can still lower your flow temperature, but only to 65C. This keeps your hot water supply safe and prevents legionella bacteria growing in the cylinder.

The UK government is actively promoting heat pumps as the primary technology to decarbonise home heating, with a target of 600,000 installations per year by 2028.

Heat pumps are three times more energy efficient than traditional gas boilers, meaning they will substantially reduce the carbon footprint of a home. Savings of around £100 per year can be achieved by using smart tariffs, according to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Get an instant heat pump quote at www.dwellow.co.uk

About dwellow

dwellow is a leading UK-based home energy specialist offering nationwide installation of heat pumps, solar panels, and battery storage. With decades of combined industry experience, they support homeowners in making the switch to renewables and accessing government grants. They are accredited by the MCS, TrustMark, HIES, and Which. ‍

Contact

Emily Allen

07468 416945

‍emily@dwellow.co.uk