What is the most economical way to run your heating? HVAC experts reveal how to cut costs without compromising on comfort

As temperatures continue to plummet, keeping the heating running affordably without compromising on comfort is a near-constant battle.

I spoke to HVAC experts to find out how to run your heating to keep your home cozy without compromising on cost, and prevent damp, mold, and mildew in the process.

Here, our panel of professionals reveal their tips to cut energy bills, and all agree that smart thermostats are the key to home-heating happiness.

What is the most economical way to run your heating?

Using a digital thermostat and running it at the correct temperature is your winning formula for economical but comfortable home heating.

Nick Barber, manager at Utilities Now, advises, 'The most cost-effective way to heat your home is hinged on being smart with how you heat.'

Start with knowing the best temperature for a thermostat in winter, and setting your thermostat accordingly. This should be around 68°F (20°C), which is a comfortable temperature to keep a home warm all day.

'When sleeping, or out the house for an extended period, drop that by 7–10°F,' says Barber, keeping in mind the ideal temperature to set your thermostat on when on winter vacation. 'This simple adjustment can save you as much as 10% on your heating bills over the course of a year.'

Setting your thermostat to a consistent temperature in winter, between 68°F to 72°F, will also keep the air in your home fresh while preventing mold and mildew growth, points out Max Veggeberg, CEO and founder of Tetra.

An easy and efficient way to keep track of this is by investing in a smart thermostat, such as the Google Nest Thermostat available at Amazon, which is a smart home must-have our pros always recommend.

'These will do a lot of the thinking for you,' says Barber, 'learning your schedule, automatically adjusting temperature, and even allowing you to control your heating remotely through your phone. They also give insights into your energy usage, which can help you spot where you might be wasting money.'

While this may seem like a hefty price to pay, the total investment will depend on which model you choose, as there are plenty of more affordable options, and the fees the technician in your area charges for the installation service, if applicable.

But, as Richie Drew, VP of Operations at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, the number one HVAC service provider in the United States, assures, 'The value of a smart thermostat comes not only from energy and utility bill savings, but also from the convenience it offers.' It's a surefire win-win, and helps homeowners save up to 15% on their monthly energy bills, says Veggeberg.

Head of Solved, Punteha van Terheyden, had a digital thermostat installed in September, replacing her old analogue one and found her heating bills dropped by 50%. She says, 'The accuracy and level of control the digital thermostat brought into our home was profound. I couldn't believe the reduction in energy bills. Plus, our home was comfortably day and night.'

All prices correct at time of publication.

And, whether you call in a pro or get clued up yourself, maintaining your system, whatever the heating type, is also a major money-saver, says Josh Mitchell, HVAC expert at AirConditionerLab.

He advises, 'Regularly servicing your furnace or heat pump can significantly enhance its efficiency. A well-maintained system uses less energy to heat your home effectively,' and makes the most economical way to run your heating even more thrifty, helping you to save money at home with ease.

'Systems that are not maintained can accumulate dirt and wear out components, which forces them to work harder and consume more energy,' he continues. 'Therefore, I highly recommend setting up an annual maintenance check with a certified HVAC technician.'

Regular maintenance is also vital if you have an Air Source Heat Pump system, adds Punteha van Terheyden. She explains, 'Ours wasn't maintained properly before we moved in and that led to the anti-freeze and anti-corrosion liquid levels not being adequate. This had left our system wide open to the risk of catastrophic and irreversible failures when the temperatures dropped in winter. We were lucky it didn't permanently damage our system.'

FAQs

Is it cheaper to turn off radiators in unused rooms?

It may seem self-explanatory, but leaving radiators on in unused rooms is a heating system mistake that's making your energy bills more expensive.

If you don't use a room at all, or just pop in a few times a day, turning the heating off will save you money to spend on heating where it really matters – kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms.

However, where radiators can be switched off without issue, you always should leave heating vents open in unused rooms as closing them could cause unnecessary wear and tear on your AC system.

What temperature should unused rooms be?

Unlike the rest of your home, unused rooms should be kept at temperatures between 59°F-65°F (15-18°C), and residual heat from the rest of your home should maintain this without the need for radiators.

However, it's important to not fall foul to heating mistakes making your house colder, too, so keep an eye on temperatures and be prepared to turn the heating on or up if necessary.

Closing internal doors can help keep the heat in where needed.

So, is it cheaper to leave the heating on all day? Once again, the answer lies with a smart thermostat – so if you haven't been convinced to invest yet, now is the time to make the change.