Is it cheaper to have the heating on LOW all the time or on a timer set for mornings and evenings?

[milkybarsrus]

some have said its a false economy to have the heating on a timer as the house gets cold then needs to warm up for a few hours, and that its better to have it on low 24/7. What do you think please?

[Orinoco]

Message withdrawn

[RGPargy]

I'd like to know this too please!

[KatyMac]

It depends upon your type of boiler & your level of insulation tbh

what do you have?

[Flossish]

gulp.

I have mine on at 21 degress.

[Kewcumber]

I'm never sure but unless its exceptionally cold I find it gets too warm having the heating on all night - even at the lowest temperature.

[Lilyloo]

I was told it's cheaper to have it around 15 constantly rather than set times too!

[KatyMac]

oh & your method of heat dispersal

[balismum]

me too, i keep it on low (16 or 17) and turn the thermostat down if we are out all day. someone told me this was more economical but not based on any hard facts at all...

[milkybarsrus]

I have a 4 year old combi boiler, and double rads everywhere. (feel cold now i've just typed that brrr brrr).

[milkybarsrus]

A question to all you 'constants', does your house feel cozy and warm or is there still a nip in the air?

[KatyMac]

OK

Small double glazed windows cavity wall insulation 8 inches of insulation in the roof then maybe

Underfloor heating (with well insulated base) the probably

Combi boiler - possibly not

There are way too many variables to make absolute answers

[ScareyBitchFeast]

but if you have it set at say 15 - if no heating was required,it wouldnt come on though, and once the air was colder, it would fire up the boiler - ok.?
so isnt that the same as putting in on yourself?

[balismum]

milky - small house well insulated feels fine. small consolation for not having a big period house with high ceilings!!

[NotAnOtterinaPoolOfSpew]

hmm i often wonder this
my house is a shudder ( sorry that was my teeth chattering) victorian end terrace ( Old Vicarage) with 6-8 bedrooms huge cellars and los of big cold rooms with draughts and high ceiings

bolier is small

[milkybarsrus]

I've got a 4 bed semi on a hill (very exposed) reckon on paying appx £80 a month with heating on in the morning and from 4 - 10pm? But I feel cold during the day as soon as heating goes off so was wondering about trying the low constant method?

[milkybarsrus]

p.s haven't got it on yet and my nose is cold!

[horsemadgal]

I was told if you had an old house with high ceilings etc then to keep it on constantly, working from the thermostat to suit.
But if newish house then to put it on as and when required as better insulation etc so easier to heat.

[ScareyBitchFeast]

i was told to keep it on low - the reason was gas is so cheap - obviously not now. so perhaps it is all changed?

[milkybarsrus]

Have got a sixties house with double glazing but no cavity wall insulation. Do you think that will help with costs?

[NotAnOtterinaPoolOfSpew]

thanks horsemadgal

[InTheDollshouse]

I wondered this recently too. I found this from the Energy Saving Trust website:

FAQ

Is it more economical to leave my heating on 24hrs in the winter?

Answer

No. It is a common misconception that it is cheaper to leave your hot water and heating on all the time. Boilers use more power initially to heat water from cold, however the cost of this is greatly exceeded by the cost of keeping the boiler running all of the time.
The best solution is to programme your heating system so that it comes on when you need it most (possibly early morning and in the evening), and goes off when you don't need it (when you are out of the house or asleep). There are a range of controls that can be used and your heating engineer will be able to provide you with the most appropriate solution.
Depending on your circumstances it may be necessary to keep the heating on all day during winter but it will cost more than if you turn the heating off when you don't need it.