Leave CH on all the time or just twice a day?

[taz777]

Should my central heating be left on all the time (but at reduced thermostat temperatures for parts of the day and night) or should it just be switched on twice a day (morning and evening) and remain switched off completely at all other times?

I keep hearing conflicting arguments on this question.

The question is in relation to a modern combi-boiler based central heating system.

 

[Gavin77]

Depends on what you want. If you want your house warm at all times, then yes leave it on...

OR if you are asking "Is it cheaper to just have it on when needed and switch it off when out/overnight" then the answer is yes it is definately cheaper to just use it when needed.

If anyone tells you its more economical to leave the house at a set temperature 24/7 rather than simply when you are in the house, then tell them to go back to school and pay attention in physics class.

Of course there are other things to consider with a cold house, condensation, damp, frozen pipes etc.

 

[spraggo]

It depends on how well your house is insulated.

 

[ChrisOxford]

If anyone tells you its more economical to leave the house at a set temperature 24/7 rather than simply when you are in the house, then tell them to go back to school and pay attention in physics class.

True, but I thought the OP was talking about turning stat down when out and about, rather than running the house at a constant temp all the time.

 

[D_Hailsham]

It depends on how well your house is insulated.

and the house occupancy pattern.

If your house is poorly insulated and you are out most of the day it will probably be more economical to turn the heating off when you are out. Or, probably better, set the room temperature to a low setting (say 5C) to prevent any freezing.

But if you live in a well insulated house, where the temperature only drops a few degrees while you are out, leaving the heat on all the time will use op more gas than turning it on half an hour before you get home.