You should stop heating your house when it consistently stays warm enough for comfort (around 18°C/64°F is often recommended for health) without the system running, typically as spring arrives and outside temperatures rise above 14°C (57°F), though turning it off overnight or when away saves energy, keeping it at a lower "setback" temp (like 10-15°C) prevents frozen pipes in winter.
We recommend turning off your heating system whenever the temperature consistently reaches 50° F outdoors. This doesn't mean you must shut off your heating system entirely. Instead, it simply means that you should be able to at least shut it off throughout the daytime hours to help save money on your energy bills.
Ideally you should heat your home to a temperature of at least 18 °C. This is particularly important if you have reduced mobility, are 65 or over, or have a health condition, such as heart or lung disease.
We all know that freezing begins at 32° F or 0° C, but at what point do pipes freeze within our own homes? Temperatures only need to drop to about 20° F for a few hours to put exposed pipes at risk. So, your best bet is to insulate your exposed pipes to keep that temperature well above the freezing point.
As a rule of thumb, if your home is feeling comfortable without the heating on throughout the day, and is regularly reaching over 15°C, it could be time.
Depending on the model, heat pumps tend to be less efficient as temperatures dip below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. At approximately 25 degrees, most heat pumps will still be more efficient than traditional furnaces or boilers. The break-even point is usually around 15 degrees.
Here's what uses the most energy in your home:
To effectively protect your plumbing, you need to know the ideal temperature for dripping faucets. It's recommended to drip your indoor faucets when outside temperatures are expected to fall below 20°F for 3 hours or more. This proactive measure helps mitigate the risk of frozen pipes significantly.
Will my pipes freeze if my heat is on 65? Keeping your home heated to at least 65°F (18°C) should generally prevent pipes from freezing, as the temperature inside the walls where pipes are located will be warmer than the outside air.
Applications of Removable Insulation Blankets
Designed for easy maintenance and efficient temperature control, these blankets offer protection for essential components like pipes, valves, and flanges, ensuring reliable performance in both high and low-temperature environments.
Cold homes contribute to excess winter mortality and morbidity. Most of the health burden can be attributed to both respiratory and cardiovascular disease, especially for older people.
Cold Walls, Floors, and Corners
If you keep asking yourself why is my house so cold even though the heat is on, the answer might be hiding in your walls, floors, or attic—not your furnace. When walls or ceilings feel cold to the touch, it's a classic sign of conductive heat loss.
What's the best temperature to set my central heating to? You should set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature for your needs. For most people, this is between 18°C and 21°C. If you can, turning down your thermostat from 22°C to 21°C can save £90 a year in GB and £80 in NI on energy bills.
We think it's most efficient to turn it on only when needed, instead of keeping it on low all the time. We also think this is more cost effective too. We'd recommend using a heating timer and your thermostat to do this.
The cold temperature in your home is classed as 16 °C or less; this will not be a comfortable house temperature. You would be uncomfortable trying to get warm, and restless and you will more than likely struggle to get to sleep, leaving you tired, not refreshed, and grumpy the next day.
There are no strict rules about temperature settings, but once the outside temperature reaches more than 14 °C it is generally warm enough to turn the heating off. This usually happens at the beginning of spring and last year the switch off date was around April 1st.
Why Do Pipes Freeze? It might seem clear that pipes freeze when temperatures drop below freezing, but it's more complex than that. Water freezes at 32°F, but pipes usually don't freeze unless the temperature dips to 20°F or lower. As mentioned earlier, pipes in unheated or uninsulated areas are the first to freeze.
Hot water placed in a refrigerator will freeze faster than cold water, but it's not really a fair race. The hot water will freeze faster for two reasons: While the hot water is cooling down, some of it evaporates and this creates a small cooling breeze, like blowing on a spoonful of soup.
Keep the heat on in your home even if you are on vacation or away for an extended time. Frequently pipes freeze and burst while homeowners are away on vacation and have turned off their heat. No one wants to come home to frozen pipes and potential water damage.
When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
A common misconception is that the drip prevents water from freezing because it stays in motion when it's running through the pipes. Although this helps, the truth is that at extreme temperatures water can freeze even while it is flowing.
Even with the heat on, these vulnerable areas may not get enough warmth to prevent freezing. How do I know if my pipes froze or burst? If no water comes out when you turn on a faucet, the pipe is likely frozen. If you see water stains, hear running water, or notice water where it shouldn't be, a pipe may have burst.
Did you know that when your appliances or electronic devices are plugged in, they're draining energy – even if they're not in use? Phantom power, also called standby power, refers to the energy that's wasted around your home when devices are plugged in and using power, but you're not actively using them.
Heating and cooling (HVAC) typically runs up an electric bill the most, often accounting for around 40% of energy usage, followed by water heating, large appliances like refrigerators and clothes dryers, and lighting. The biggest energy drains are systems that change air temperature (furnaces, air conditioners) and appliances that heat water (showers, dishwashers) or run for extended periods (dryers, fridges).
Microwaves, coffeemakers, toasters, and electric kettles often have clocks, digital displays, or sensors that remain active even when the appliances aren't being used. These features, while handy, drain energy continuously.