Heating expert shares March 20 target date to switch off your heating and save up to £300 a year, but timing depends on consistent temperatures reaching 12°C
Freezing temperatures can trigger numerous problems for households across the UK, including frozen pipes, boiler breakdowns, condensation, and eventually, mould. To reduce the likelihood of sustaining costly damage to your property, it’s recommended to maintain warmth in your home throughout the winter months.
However, with the energy price cap rising in April, many people will be hunting for ways to cut their heating bills – including working out the ideal moment to switch off the thermostat for spring and summer.
Turn it off too soon, and you’re stuck with chilly evenings and the boiler kicking back in anyway.
Keep it running too long, and you’re wasting money heating a home that doesn’t require it. Fortunately, heating and roofing specialist Alex Morrisey at Best Roofers has revealed the optimal spring cut-off period.
So, when is the correct time to turn off your heating? Alex suggests that March 20th represents a sensible target date for numerous households in the UK this year, though there’s an “important caveat” to bear in mind.
He said: “Even though the days are getting sunnier by mid-March, overnight temperatures can still drop considerably.
“A good rule of thumb is to wait until daytime temperatures are consistently sitting around 12°C before turning the boiler off, and even then, be ready to switch it back on for colder evenings.”
For most homes, that moment comes around late March, when the clocks spring forward and evenings begin to brighten.
Holding off until you genuinely don’t require it, rather than making an early switch based on one sunny afternoon, is where the genuine savings on energy bills begin.
Alex highlighted that the figures present a strong argument for getting the timing correct. Heating typically represents over 50% of a household’s yearly energy consumption, meaning it’s the single largest factor you can control when attempting to cut bills.
He explained: “Turn your heating off just 10 days earlier than usual, and you could reduce your monthly spring energy bills by 10 to 15%. Over the course of a year, that translates to a potential saving of between £100 and £300, depending on the size of your property and your energy tariff.”
People underestimate how much those extra days of unnecessary heating add up.
“If you’re running your boiler out of habit rather than actual need, you’re paying for warmth your home doesn’t require. Small timing adjustments can make a big difference to your annual bills.”
The specialist emphasised that consistency is crucial. One mild week in March doesn’t indicate spring has permanently arrived.
Tracking temperatures across several days, rather than responding to a single pleasant afternoon, positions you far better to make the switch at the optimal time.
