Last updated: January 2026

Can You Save Money By Leaving The Heat On?

Can you save money by leaving the heat on all day? It's a question many UK homeowners ask as they try to stretch their monthly energy budget. While turning down the thermostat can reduce your bill, there are several factors worth considering before making any changes. This article covers the key things to weigh up when managing the temperature in your home.

Factors to Consider When Deciding Whether or Not to Turn Down the Heat

Let's take a closer look at each of these factors to help you make an informed decision.

  1. The climate

If you live in an area with a cold climate, turning the heat down may not be the best idea — lower temperatures can quickly make your home uncomfortable. In areas with a milder climate, lowering the thermostat is a practical way to save on your energy bill.

  1. Your comfort levels

If you're not comfortable at a lower temperature, it's probably not worth the saving. If you can comfortably live at a cooler temperature, turning the heat down can make a real difference to your energy bill.

  1. The age of your home

Older properties tend to be less energy-efficient than newer builds, meaning you may need a higher thermostat setting to stay warm. Modern homes with good insulation can often maintain comfort at a lower heating temperature.

  1. The size of your home

The larger your home, the more energy it takes to heat it. If you have a large property, reducing the thermostat — or zoning your heating — can deliver meaningful savings on your energy bill.

  1. The time of year

In the depths of winter, lowering the heat too far may leave your home uncomfortably cold. In spring or autumn, you can often reduce the thermostat noticeably and still feel warm enough.

Can You Save Money by Keeping the Heat Low?

It depends. If you're comfortable at a lower temperature, turning the thermostat down will save you money. But if you're constantly adjusting it upwards or find yourself cold, the saving may not be worth the discomfort.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, reducing your thermostat by just 1°C can save a typical UK household around £80 per year. At the current rate of 24.67p per kWh (from April 2026), even small adjustments to your heating routine add up over the course of a year.

Tips for Keeping Your Home Warmer Without Turning Up the Heat

If you decide that lowering the heat is right for you, here are a few practical ways to stay comfortable without extra cost:

  • Make sure your home is properly insulated — heat lost through walls, ceilings, or floors is money wasted.
  • Use a heated towel rail or panel heater in the rooms you use most, so you only heat the space you're in.
  • Wear warm clothing indoors. Dressing for a cooler temperature lets you lower the thermostat without noticing.
  • Use curtains or blinds to block draughts and retain heat — especially on north-facing windows.
  • Use a humidifier. Moist air retains warmth better than dry air at the same temperature.
  • Keep throw blankets handy in the evenings to reduce how often you turn the heating up.

A well-chosen heated towel rail in the bathroom can also supplement your central heating efficiently, keeping one room warm and dry at low running cost. Use our free BTU calculator to find the right output for any room.

FAQs: Keeping the Heat Low

  1. How much can you save by turning down the heat?

The amount depends on the efficiency of your radiators and towel rails, the size of your home, and how far you lower the thermostat. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that turning your thermostat down by 1°C saves a typical UK household around £80 per year.

  1. Is it better to turn down the heat at night?

Turning the heat down at night — or using a timer — is one of the most effective ways to reduce your bill. Most people sleep more comfortably at a slightly cooler temperature (around 16–18°C), so a night setback makes sense for both comfort and savings.

Lowering your heating can save money, but it is not right for every household. Take into account your comfort levels, the age and size of your property, and the time of year. Small changes — better insulation, a programmable thermostat, and the right mix of radiators and towel rails — can make a bigger difference than simply turning the dial down.

Ibrahim Kalay - Founder of Elegant Radiators

Ibrahim Kalay

Founder, Elegant Radiators

Heating specialist since 2014. Ibrahim founded Elegant Radiators from our Coventry warehouse (CV7 9NH), supplying thousands of UK homes with quality designer radiators and towel rails. His hands-on experience with BTU calculations, installation requirements, and product specifications informs every article on this blog.