Does Turning Off Radiators Save Money?
With energy prices having skyrocketed in recent years, and the cost of living crisis also impacting people’s finances, it is perhaps no surprise that people are seeking ways to minimise their outgoings.
With energy and utility bills often being among one of the biggest things that people spend their money on, on a monthly basis, tips and hacks to lower these bills have become more and more.
Perhaps the most obvious way to try and save money is by turning off your radiators and central heating system. It makes sense, right?
By not using the thing that uses the energy, it should mean that money is saved. In particular, people will often turn off the radiators in rooms they are not using or currently spending time in, instead focusing the energy on the rooms they are using and want to heat.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the question ‘does turning off radiators save money?’ providing you with everything you need to know on the topic.
Read on to learn more.
Does turning a radiator off save money?
While it might seem obvious, turning off your radiators is not a guaranteed way to save money on your energy bills.
Many people will keep radiators turned off all day, only turning them on in the room they need to use. Often this is bedrooms or living rooms.
This is often the case for those who do not work from home, and who only return to their property in the evening. However, you might be surprised to learn that turning off your radiator does not always save you money. The main factor has to do with your boiler.
If you have a non condensing boiler, then you will likely save money by following this technique, especially if you’re turning off the radiator in unused rooms. However, these types of boilers are now pretty old. In fact, non condensing boilers have not been in use since around 2005. If you’ve purchased a property, or a boiler, since then it is likely it is either a condensing boiler or, in very modern examples, a heat pump.
Both condensing boilers and heat pumps are designed to be more energy efficient than non condensing boilers. What this means is that they work far more efficiently at lower flow temperatures.
Flow temperature refers to the temperature of the water in the flow pipe of the heating system. If you only have one, or few, radiators switched on, then the flow temperature is likely to be higher which might be using up more energy.
Instead, you should consider keeping all of your radiators on, but at a lower flow temperature. This is so the energy can be spread out and provide a more efficient and consistent heating system for your home. You will be able to regulate the flow temperature on thermostats or even mobile apps in some cases.
This is a far better way of minimising heating bills compared to simply not using certain radiators.
To summarise, make sure to check what type of boiler you have before deciding what approach to take. If you have a condensing boiler or heat pump, you should always keep every radiator in the system switched on but at a low flow temperature.
Other disadvantages of switching off radiators
In addition to not actually saving you money on energy bills (depending on the boiler you have), switching off radiators can result in other negative consequences.
First and foremost, it can make your house colder overall. While you might be toasty and warm in the room where you are using the radiator, the temperature of the entire property is still going to be cold. This can make it uncomfortable when moving from room to room, especially during the winter months.
As well as this, the cold temperatures can cause mould and damp in rooms that are consistently being neglected. Not only does this look unsightly, but it can also result in a wide range of adverse health conditions for those living in the property.
Smart ways to heat your home
If you’re looking for other ways to heat your home efficiently or maintain heat during the colder weather, there are several things you can do.
Some of the smart ways to heat your home include:
Upgrade your insulation: Proper insulation is essential for retaining heat within your home. Assess what insulation you currently have in place and consider upgrading insulation in walls, floors and lofts to prevent heart loss and improve the overall energy efficiency of the property. This will help to reduce the amount of energy needed to heat your home and save you money on bills.
Seal air leaks: Air can escape a property in a number of ways, but gaps in doors windows and other openings are the biggest causes of this problem. Known as air leaks, you should consider sealing them with weatherstripping, caulking or expanding foam. This will help to prevent warm air from escaping and cold air from entering your property.
Install a programmable thermostat: These days, utilising technology is a great way to control the heat of your home. Smart meters and mobile phone apps can help provide you with information regarding how much energy you’re using, and programmable thermostats provide you with a way to set heating schedules based on your daily routine. You can program it to lower the temperature when you’re not at home or sleeping, and raise it when you’re in the property. This will help you save energy without sacrificing comfort.
Maximise natural sunlight: While we may not get much of it during the winter, it’s always worth maximising the natural sunlight your home receives. Take advantage of this wherever possible during the day by opening curtains or blinds on your windows to allow the sunlight to enter and warm up interior spaces. While it might not help loads, even a little bit of extra heat is worth it. Remember to close them again at night time to ensure the heat is maintained.
