Expert shares best time to turn your heating off this year as spring looms

08 March 2024 , 05:00

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It's nearly time to turn the heating off (stock image) (Image: Getty Images)

Although spring is fast approaching, many Brits still have their heating on as temperatures are still relatively low.

The first day of spring occurs on the vernal equinox, which this year takes place on March 20, despite what the rainy UK weather is currently pointing to. Temperatures will slowly be creeping up over the next few weeks, which means many will be wondering when they should turn their heating off.

Although it's nice to have homes toasty and warm, it can cause our heating bills to skyrocket, so turning them off will be a nice reprieve for many wallets. However, no one wants to be cold at home - so when is the right time to do it?

Experts at online heating specialists BestHeating analysed Met Office data over the past five years to reveal the exact date Brits should turn their heating off. It may come as a surprise, but this year experts believe the correct date to turn heating off is 10 days earlier than last year.

Many people assume that you can turn your heating off around the time the clocks go forward, which this year takes place on March 31, but that isn't always the case. Last year experts recommended turning their heating off on April 1, but with spring feeling like it's coming around much faster than previous years, experts say we can turn off the heating even earlier.

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While temperatures are still quite low at this time of year, from March 7 temperatures generally rise above 10C. The exact date Brits should be looking to turn their heating off is March 22, which is 10 days earlier than last year's April 1 date, due to warmer temperatures. That means many will be saving more money on their energy bills this year.

Jess Steele, heating technology expert at BestHeating, said: "There is a common misconception that when the clocks go forwards that is the time when heating is used less, but that is not the case in Britain where warmer temperatures occur very gradually.

"There isn't a specific temperature that heating should be turned off, but once the outside temperature reaches more than 14C it is generally warm enough to do so. Research shows that this usually happens at the beginning of spring and with the rise in warmer temperatures this year, we can expect to have our heating turned off earlier than usual.

"With Brits looking to make savings where possible it can be tempting to turn heating off early but be careful of the health impacts this can have. The chance of increased blood pressure or cardiovascular disease rises significantly for a home that is below 13C, when the body is also more susceptible to respiratory diseases, therefore it's vital to check your properties temperature before making a decision."

Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz