Saving money is a priority for most homeowners. Therefore, it’s no wonder why many are debating whether or not they should turn their boiler off during periods of infrequent use, such as overnight, in the summer, or whilst away on holiday.
If you’d like to find out whether it’s worth switching your boiler off when it’s out of use, this guide will explain everything that you need to know.
Top tip: It’s important to understand how your boiler and heating system functions by reading the manufacturer’s user instructions before deciding if you want to turn your boiler off.
Should I turn my boiler off whilst away on holiday?
Turning your boiler off whilst you’re away from home can actually prove to be effective. You won’t be needing access to your hot-water whilst you’re having fun in the sun, so you could switch your boiler off until your return.
One thing to note however, is that it’s typically recommended that you do not switch your boiler off if you go on holiday during winter or cold spells, as your pipes could freeze and you could risk being faced with central heating issues when you get back.
Instead, you could leave your boiler on and set the room thermostat to a lower temperature to help ensure that the system is in working order when you return. Alternatively, you could set your timer to make the boiler come on for around an hour a day to help prevent frost.
Additionally, if you invest in a smart thermostat, you could set your heating to come back on just before you arrive home, helping you ensure that your rooms are warm and toasty for when you get back.
Should I switch off my boiler overnight?
It may be more effective for you to consider using your room thermostat to set your temperature lower if less heat is needed.
Should I turn my boiler off in the summer?
This may seem like a fairly plausible thing to do as boilers are typically used less in the warmer months. However, presuming that you and your family will still require access to hot-water, it may be more suitable for you to simply set the boiler to hot-water only mode; alternatively, if you have a combi boiler installed, these tend to stay in standby mode until hot-water is requested.
Will turning my boiler off cause problems with my central heating?
Some boiler systems may be more temperamental than others, so switching it off for a longer time than usual could trigger an issue with your central heating. Having your boiler switched off for a prolonged period of time could also cause elements such as your valves and pump to seize up.
To help prevent such issues from occurring and to give you peace of mind that your boiler is in working order, we recommend that you book an annual boiler service either before or after you decide to turn your boiler off. This could potentially alert you to any issues that could cause a problem when you return or reassure you that your system is functioning properly.
All in all, there’s no definitive answer as to whether switching your boiler off is best or not, there are pros and cons for both options, so it’s ultimately reliant upon preference and what you are most comfortable with.
If you’d like to discuss this topic further or if you’d like to arrange a boiler service appointment with one of our Gas Safe registered engineers, get in touch with us today.
