Energy experts give date households should switch off their heating

Every autumn, the battle rages in every household as the thermostat wars begin, with some trying to last as long as possible without heating, and some nudging the temperature up as soon as the clocks change.

And in spring, the same arguments are scrapped out in reverse: with some rushing to turn the heating off as soon as it stops snowing, while others insist on having the boiler whirring even by Easter.

Now, a heating specialist has confirmed when households should be turning their heating off with an exact date.

Gordon Wallis, Renewable Heating Specialist at Your NRG, says the best time to turn off your heating is March 30.

He said: “This date, coupled with rising spring temperatures, strikes the perfect balance between comfort and cost savings.

“With energy prices remaining a concern for many households, knowing when to turn off your heating can make a big difference to your bills. While the exact date may vary for each household, a sensible guideline is to consider switching off around the time the clocks go forward at the end of March. 

“This transition to British Summer Time often signals the start of warmer days, reducing the need for central heating.”

But rather than a cliff edge, he recommends households slowly wean themselves off heating as the spring approaches.

He added: “Rather than turning your heating off all at once, I suggest gradually lowering your thermostat by 1°C each week as temperatures improve. Not only does this help ease the transition to warmer weather, but it can also reduce your heating costs by up to 10% for every degree lowered.”

The end of heating could not come at a better time, as energy bills rise again from April.

Current forecasts show that energy prices are set to increase again from April 1, with Ofgem’s next energy cap set to be 3-6% higher than it is now.

Those not currently on a fixed rate tariff are being urged to grab a cheap fix as soon as possible to avoid the rise.