As the UK welcomes autumn, the weather is set to turn colder and millions of households will soon face the annual debate of when is the right time to switch on the heating. According to the NHS, indoor temperatures below 15C can pose health risks, especially for older or vulnerable people.
To put an end to the guesswork, energy experts at Construction Megastore analysed Met Office data (combining historical records with current forecasts) to calculate the official “switch-on” dates for every major UK city. Robert Quinton, energy, construction and insulation expert, said: “The best time to switch your heating on is when temperatures consistently fail to reach 15C during the day. Waiting until it’s much colder can risk both your health and your boiler, especially if it hasn’t been used since spring.
“Having a clear ‘switch-on’ date helps couples and families settle the debate at home, while recognising that insulation levels and micro-climates mean some households may choose to act sooner.”
The UK’s ‘Big Central Heating Switch-on’ Dates
| City | Switch-On Date |
|---|---|
| Glasgow | 23rd September |
| Cardiff | 6th October |
| Newcastle-upon-Tyne | 7th October |
| Nottingham | 9th October |
| Hull | 9th October |
| Stoke-on-Trent | 9th October |
| Plymouth | 9th October |
| Leeds | 10th October |
| Edinburgh | 10th October |
| Southampton | 10th October |
| Sheffield | 11th October |
| Bradford | 11th October |
| Birmingham | 15th October |
| Liverpool | 15th October |
| Manchester | 15th October |
| Bristol | 19th October |
| Leicester | 19th October |
| Coventry | 19th October |
| London | 20th October |
Robert’s top tips for keeping heating bills down
Seal drafts early
“One of the simplest and cheapest fixes is sealing up any gaps around windows, doors and skirting boards. A small draft might not seem like much, but across a whole winter, it can waste a huge amount of heat and money. A tube of caulk or some weatherstripping is a very low-cost solution.”
Turn the thermostat down slightly
“You don’t need to have the house tropical. Reducing your thermostat by just one or two degrees can save a household up to 10% on their heating bill without a noticeable change in comfort.”
Make the most of curtains and blinds
“Heat escapes fastest through glass. Keeping curtains and blinds closed at night is like adding an extra layer of insulation, helping to trap warmth in the room. During the day, open them wide on sunny days to let the natural heat in.”
Maintain your boiler and radiators
“Regular boiler servicing keeps your system running efficiently and can extend its lifespan. Bleeding radiators is another small job that makes sure every radiator is heating evenly, so you’re not wasting energy.”
Use rooms wisely
“If there are parts of your home you rarely use, turn the radiators down in those rooms and close the doors. That way, you’re not paying to heat unused space, and the warmth stays where you need it.”
