Should You Turn Your Boiler Off When You Go On Holiday?

Should you turn your boiler off when you go on holiday?

This is a question that homeowners will ask themselves regularly. Many people are not quite sure what to do with their boilers when they go on holiday.

This mainly depends on the time of year you go on holiday. If you’re planning to go away in the Summer, where temperatures are warm and the heating is very rarely on.

If the temperature is warm then it’s fine to turn your boiler off before you go away on holiday.

It is not advised if you are going away in winter!

But if you’re jetting off on holiday during the winter months whilst the UK is cold we recommend leaving your boiler switched on.

If you leave the boiler running throughout these months whilst the temperatures are low, it will stop the pipes from freezing.

And won’t be causing damage to your plumbing and up with the cost of a new boiler looming when you get home. 

Use your thermostat wisely

Keeping your boiler on and your thermostat at a low temperature constantly will ensure that your house is warm when you return. If you have a smart thermostat, even better. 

Most boilers have a frost or antifreeze setting for when you go away on holiday. This setting allows you to set a temperature below which the heating will come on automatically.

If you feel unsure about leaving your boiler on all the time when you aren’t at home then you can set a timer for the boiler to switch itself on for only one hour a day.

Try and do this at the coldest hour of the day. This will ensure the water in the system won’t get cold and freeze.

Is it cheaper to switch my boiler off when I’m on holiday?

This is a question people ask frequently. People think that switching your boiler back on after a length of time will use up more energy.

Rather than leaving it at a low temperature. However, this isn’t the case, turning off your boiler saves more energy than leaving it on at a lower setting.

How do I switch off my boiler if I go on holiday?

If you are wanting to switch off your boiler when you go on holiday you can do this by using your thermostat. This will let you set times and days that the boiler will be in operation, therefore if you set it to not be on, your boiler will stay turned off.

It is important however that you do keep some function on your boiler whilst on holiday especially if it is in winter.

This is because pipes can freeze in the winter and cause you issues when you turn your boiler back on when you get back from vacation.

Whether you have a system boiler, best combi boiler or a regular heat-only boiler, you can be sure to turn any off if required.

Should I leave my boiler on or turn it off while I’m away?

It can be very effective to turn off your boiler when you are away from home. Your hot-water won’t be needed while you’re out enjoying the sun. You can switch off your boiler until you return.

It is important to remember that your boiler should not be turned off when you are on holiday in winter or cold spells. Your pipes could freeze, and you may face central heating problems upon your return.

You could instead leave the boiler on, but set the thermostat to a lower temperature so that it is working when you return. To prevent frost, you can set your timer so that the boiler is on for approximately an hour per day.

You can also set your heating to turn back on when you return home by purchasing a smart thermostat. This will ensure that your rooms stay warm and toasty until you return.

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