Experts have analysed UK weather data to reveal the ideal date to turn on the heating – and it’s earlier than you might think. The national average is October 3, and here’s why.
Autumn has arrived, and the weather has turned chilly following sweltering summer temperatures.
Naturally, Brits will be wondering when they’ll switch on their central heating for the first time since the start of the year after months without it. Experts at Vaillant, a boiler and heat pump company based in Derbyshire, have examined UK weather data to unveil the optimal, and “earlier than expected”, date to take the plunge.
October 3 is the national average they settled upon, which varies from the usual recommendation of mid-month, typically around the 13th. Specialists said: “With October temperatures dipping below 15.5C, it might be time for Brits to give their heating systems some extra attention before switching them on October 3.”
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They added: “With temperatures expected to drop around this time, and the possibility of colder weather arriving even earlier, now is the ideal moment to check your boiler and heating system to ensure everything is in working order. Doing so can help keep you warmer, improve energy efficiency, and potentially save money on your energy bills.”
Average dates around the country
Despite the suggested mean date, experts added that regional variations across the UK are “stark” when it comes to turning the heating on, reports the Express.
In Bradford, for instance, households typically switch the heating on by September 24, the earliest average turn-on date in the latest data. In Sheffield, locals are known to act swiftly.
The average date for switching on the heating is around September 29, closely mirroring the national average of October 3.
Neighbouring cities such as Nottingham and Birmingham aren’t far behind, with average switch-on dates September 29 and September 30, respectively. This indicates that “households in the Midlands begin to feel the seasonal drop in temperature by the final week of September”.
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Meanwhile, in cities like Liverpool and Manchester, a similar trend has been observed, experts noted. Manchester homes typically flick the heating on by September 26, while in Liverpool, the average date is slightly later, on October 2.
Glasgow and Newcastle also hover around September 25 and September 26, showing a consistent pattern across northern cities where the cold snap arrives earlier. However, at the other end of the scale, London and Southampton stand out as “clear outliers”.
Londoners typically delay switching the heating on until October 23, and in Southampton, the average turn-on date is even later, October 26. This ensures that the city holds the record for the latest heating switch-on in the dataset.
“These later dates are likely influenced by milder southern climates, as well as possibly higher energy costs influencing behaviour,” experts suggested.
