Cranking up the thermostat in freezing weather won’t help your home warm faster, heating experts warn
Rare cold snaps have brought snow and ice to much of the UK; With sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall predicted to continue into the weekend, experts are advising people on how to stay warm without wasting money.
The Met Office has issued a new yellow weather warning for snow across much of the country from Thursday evening to Friday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow cold health warnings for the whole of England until 10am on Friday; It warned there could be significant impacts on health and social care services, including an increase in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with existing health conditions.
In short, it will be cold. But experts say despite the temperatures, now is not the time to adjust the dial on your thermostat.
During may be tempting To turn the dial to heat your home faster, thermostats only control the final temperature the room reaches, not the heating rate; so turning up the thermostat won’t heat rooms any faster, and it’s unlikely to make any difference beyond causing your energy bills to go up.
Emily Seymour, Which? magazine’s energy editor said: Independent: “It may seem like a good idea, but raising your thermostat won’t make your home heat faster. Hot water moves through your home at the same rate, but when your thermostat is set higher, it won’t stop until the air around the thermostat reaches that temperature.”
“If you find that your radiators can never bring your home to the desired temperature, it may be necessary to increase the flow temperature of your boiler during the cooling period. This will ensure that the hot water coming from your boiler is warmer.”
To make home heating more targeted and effective, he also recommends taking advantage of radiator valves “to turn down radiators in rooms you’re not using and keep doors closed to keep warm air where you want it most.”
Other tips to maximize efficiency include using scheduling settings to ensure the heating is only on when you need it.
It is also vital to know the location and proximity of the radiators to the thermostat.
“Use radiator valves to turn down the heat in rooms you’re not using and direct hot water to the radiators where you need it. But always keep the radiator valves fully open closest to the thermostat,” Ms Seymour said. “This is because if your thermostat is set to 20°C but the nearest radiator is turned off or switched off, your thermostat will continue to want your boiler to run while the radiators reject the hot water circulating through your home.”
Ms Seymour advised using central heating wisely, as well as making sure there were no large pieces of furniture blocking the radiators; This will prevent warm air from properly circulating around the room.
“If there are cold spots in the radiators, bleeding them can help them work more efficiently. Don’t forget to re-pressurize your boiler afterwards,” he said.
“Check for obvious gaps where cold air is leaking into your home. Draft blockers, rugs and curtains can make a big difference. For gaps in your window fittings, loft or exterior doors, you can buy relatively inexpensive draft-free tapes, strips and seals from most DIY stores that can be used to seal any holes,” he added.
The UK Health Safety Agency has advised people most at risk from cold weather to check on friends, neighbors and family.
The organization’s head of extreme events and health protection, Dr. Agostinho Sousa said on Tuesday: “As colder weather begins to arrive, it is vital to check on your friends, family and neighbors who are most vulnerable.
“Predicted temperatures could have a serious impact on some people’s health, leading to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and chest infection, especially for those over 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.”
