Common heating mistake is 'major drain on energy' and could be sending your bills soaring

Ewan Mowat
·3-min read
Common misconceptions about heating your home could be costing you dearly
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


As we edge closer to the heart of winter, temperatures across Scotland continue to drop. While there have been a few milder days, many of us are braced for freezing winds and icy conditions in the run up to Christmas.

Across the country, people are starting to put their boiler to work in a bid to heat their homes and keep out the bitter winter chill. Last week, we told how cranking up the thermostat might not be as beneficial as you think.

Not only does it not heat your home any quicker, it is likely to cost you more in the long run. And now, energy firm YourNRG have revealed another common heating myth that is a "major drain on energy" and might send your bills soaring.

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Starting off a cold winter's morning with a hot shower can set you up perfectly for the day ahead. But many people don't realise that you don't need to keep your boiler throughout the day to ensure you always have hot water.

Gordon Wallis, energy expert at fuel supply and distribution business YourNRG, has revealed that you only need to run your boiler for a couple of hours a day to supply enough hot water for your home. Setting your boiler to run only when you need it can "cut costs significantly" while still ensuring you are well heated.

He explained: "Keeping your boiler running to heat water all day is not only unnecessary but also a major drain on energy. It’s much more efficient to set your boiler to heat water shortly before you need it – whether that’s for a morning shower or evening dishes.

There is nothing quite like a hot shower on a cold winter's morning
There is nothing quite like a hot shower on a cold winter's morning -Credit:Getty Images

"Boilers are designed to heat water quickly, so a couple of hours a day is usually sufficient. By tailoring your heating schedule to your actual usage, you can cut costs significantly without sacrificing comfort or convenience."

Gordon was also on hand to bust some other misconceptions about heating your home, including the myth that it is cheaper to have your heating on at all times but on a lower setting.

He said: "There’s a persistent belief that it’s cheaper to leave your heating on all day, even at a low setting, but this is rarely true. Heat continually escapes from your home, especially if insulation is poor, meaning your system has to work harder to maintain a constant temperature.

"The most efficient approach is to use a timer to heat your home only when it’s occupied or needed. Improving your insulation will keep the warmth in, which will make your heating efforts much more effective."

And following on from our previous story, Gordon confirms that there is no speed benefit to turning your thermostat up high. He said: "Many people believe that setting the thermostat to its maximum will warm their home more quickly, but this isn’t how heating systems work.

"Your boiler operates at a consistent rate to bring your home to the desired temperature, regardless of how high you set the thermostat. Increasing the temperature setting only tells the system to aim for a higher final temperature, not to heat the space faster. If you’re looking to improve efficiency and comfort, consider using a programmable thermostat to preheat your home at times when you need it most."

Gordon also said that painting radiators black in a bid to absorb and radiate heat better "has little practical impact in a home setting" and the idea that leaving lights on uses less energy than turning them off and on when needed "is outdated and simply incorrect".

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