Energy bills remain high, with the average household paying around £1,849 a year after Ofgem’s latest price cap rise, which came into force this week.
With temperatures rising following the start of British Summer Time, many homes are now warm enough to go without heating for much of the day — yet millions are expected to keep systems running out of habit.
Shay Ramani, of Free Price Compare, said households that act now could save more than £100 before the end of the month.
Ramani said: “Running your central heating when temperatures are already hitting 15 or 16 degrees is genuinely wasteful.
“Every week you leave it on unnecessarily is costing around £20 to £30 — and with prices where they are, that is money nobody can afford to waste.”
Under the current cap, gas costs about 5.93p per kWh, with a typical household using roughly 31.5 kWh per day during the heating season — meaning bills can quickly mount up if systems are left running longer than needed.
Rather than switching off abruptly, experts recommend a gradual approach. Cutting out daytime heating cycles while keeping morning and evening use can deliver savings without affecting comfort.
Mr Ramani said most households should aim to turn off heating entirely by April 14, based on long-term temperature data, though this will vary by location. Warmer regions in the south may be ready sooner, while colder parts of the north may need heating for longer.
He stressed that comfort should not be sacrificed, warning that overly cold homes can lead to damp and mould — potentially creating far higher costs in the long run.
Households are also being advised to prepare for the transition by bleeding radiators, lowering thermostats gradually, and booking boiler servicing for later in the spring when demand eases.
With energy costs still elevated and wider cost-of-living pressures mounting, experts say small changes such as adjusting heating use could make a meaningful difference to household finances in the weeks ahead.
Leave a Comment