If you are not using the smart controls on your combi boiler to manage your boiler and have turned your boiler off over the summer, you should make sure to test it every few weeks and switch it on completely in autumn before the temperatures plummet.
One of the great debates when it comes to boiler maintenance is switching your boiler off to save money on energy bills, and almost everyone in the field will have a different opinion on what you should do.
Whilst not inherently foolhardy, most homeowners who turn their boiler off over the summer get no benefit from it, and those who do are uncertain about when to turn it back on later.
To explain both, here is a guide to turning your boiler off, when it is a good idea, why it might not be a good idea for you, and when to turn it back on to maximise the benefits whilst minimising potential breakdowns.
Should You Turn Your Boiler Off In The Summer?
Ultimately, whether you should turn your boiler off in summer at all will mostly depend on the type of boiler you have, how old it is, and whether you have properly taken advantage of your boiler’s smart thermostat controls.
Historically, the most common boilers used were conventional boilers, which used a storage cylinder to store hot water.
This meant that your boiler only needed to be on if you needed to regularly replenish your hot water, and if you were only using hot water for washing dishes and had a separate shower unit, you might not run out of hot water all summer.
However, most modern boiler systems use a combination boiler, which only heats water as and when it is required and uses very little energy when the hot water tap is not turned on.
Turning your boiler off provides no noticeable benefit, but risks the internal components seizing up and breaking, potentially risking a costly repair bill when you need your boiler most.
When Should You Turn Your Boiler On Fully?
If you turn your boiler off in summer, make a habit of turning it on for 15-30 minutes every two or three weeks. Many modern boilers have an automatic summer mode which does this for you and means you do not have to touch the power button of your boiler at all.
Failing that, switching your thermostat to frost protection mode has the same result.
However, if you have an older boiler and would get a tangible financial benefit from turning your boiler off, strategically choosing the right time to turn it back on is key.
Typically, the best time to turn your heating on fully is when the temperature consistently cools down, you feel like you need your central heating in order to stay warm, and blankets and hot drinks are not enough to keep you feeling comfortable at night.
One rule of thumb is to wait until the end of Daylight Saving Time when the clocks go back an hour, which is typically the last Sunday in October.
