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Original poster

Overnight heating

18 replies

Actionacteon · 04/12/2022 22:13

Hello!
Conscious of energy bill but also worried about pipes freezing overnight as temperature drops. What’s the minimum I should set the heating to? Is it 12 degrees?

Hope someone can shed light, info online varies a lot

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 04/12/2022 22:17

Mine is off overnight. Think it has a frost setting so it would come on if it gets really cold anyway

beccahamlet · 04/12/2022 22:19

We don't have heating on overnight. Most heating systems have a froststat. Your heating will come on briefly if it's really cold.

beccahamlet · 04/12/2022 22:19

Cross Post @dementedpixie

purpleme12 · 04/12/2022 22:20

7
If mine gets below 7 it will come on

CombatBarbie · 04/12/2022 22:21

Needs to be set to 10 if you don't have a freeze function.

DinkyDaisy · 04/12/2022 22:23

My heating does not come on automatically. Hope for the best overnight...
Have held off with central heating and just occasionally used an oil heater downstairs. Relented today as temp dropping below zero. Hot water on twice a day...old system...

Anjo2011 · 04/12/2022 22:25

Mine comes on if it hits 7 or lower.

mrsfollowill · 04/12/2022 22:28

Ours is always off overnight- I turned the thermostat down to 10 around 15 mins ago so the house cools down for overnight. Will drop to 14 ish by 3 am which is fine as we will all be tucked up in bed! There is a frost thing that automatically puts the heating on if it gets a low as 5 degrees which it never has. The only time I had the heating on overnight was when we had -15 temps overnight for about 3 weeks 15/16 years ago- was brutal and water supplies into homes froze so some had no water supply much of the time. This was in Yorkshire UK not the North Pole!
We had a new boiler 2017 (our previous one was from the 1960's- plumber was mystified with how long it had kept going!) Soon warms up when we get up in the morning.

Tumbleweed101 · 04/12/2022 22:33

Not sure what min is but my radiators have a frost symbol so I leave them on that rather than turn right off in rooms I don't need full heating in. However I leave my thermostat at 15 overnight so heating will kick in if house goes below that.

Original poster

Actionacteon · 04/12/2022 23:02

Very helpful, thanks everyone! I’m maybe overthinking it, but will set to ten just in case 👍🏼

OP posts:

AlanDavidson · 05/12/2022 19:41

If you've had heating on in the day / evening and been cooking / bathing / living and breathing, it's very unlikely to drop below about about 10 of 12 in an ordinary house, even with no heating at all on at night. There is a lot of residual heat in everything in your home, bricks, furniture and fittings.

I have an unheated conservatory on my house, single brick walls and a polycarbonate roof; more a lean to really. We keep the door out there firmly shut from October onwards, but it's never dropped below 3c even in the depths of winter.

Fleabigg · 05/12/2022 19:43

I think ours is at 10. It’s never got below 12 or 13 overnight anyway if the heating has been on at any point during the day, and it’s a big old draughty house in the north east.

MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel · 05/12/2022 19:49

Ours has a frost setting for 7 degrees but I dont think it has even come on, ever!

Our heating is off overnight, no need to waste money having heating on when you're sleeping.

user7845209 · 05/12/2022 19:58

Frost setting of 7, pipes will not freeze yet, it has to be a bit colder yet for that

TwoBlueFish · 05/12/2022 20:34

I set mine to 12 for overnight. It very very rarely comes on.

Original poster

Actionacteon · 05/12/2022 23:58

Appreciate all the advice, thanks for taking the time, I was getting worried as I’m trying to minimise using the heating, but then started panicking about damp and burst pipes! All the tips have helped me get a bit more perspective and stop worrying as much 💐

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but if I invest in some rugs and more soft furnishings, will the house retain heat better? Currently it’s all hard floors etc.

OP posts:

mrsfollowill · 06/12/2022 00:11

Just my experience but we are a bit 'old fashioned' aka can't be bothered to do the house up! we have carpets in all rooms except bathroom & kitchen - bedroom windows have thermal blackout curtains which make a difference for sure. My sister and mum just have blinds up and most of their floors are wood and it feels much cooler- might just be me but I think the soft furnishings and carpets/rugs make a difference- even if it is all just the power of suggestion? soft lighting and candles help as well and a few cosy throws and cushions.

OnNaturesCourse · 07/12/2022 02:36

Glad I found this as was about to ask the same question. I usually set mine at 10 overnight, about 13 if we are out during the day. But it's starting to take ages to heat up esp in the mornings, had temps reading as low as 12 lately. Brr. Awake just now as was cold so got up and made up hot water bottles for everyone and tucked them in while they slept.

Does everyone switch the heating completely off when out during the day?

I have been known to just flip the heating off at the boiler when I've forgetten to turn the thermostat down before heading upstairs but coming to the realisation that might not be the best idea incase of frozen pipes etc?

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