According to Wired, leaving your heat running constantly at a low temperature is best. However, they warn that keeping specific rooms in your home very cold can “reduce the overall efficiency of your heating since those rooms will soak up warmth and make your boiler or heat pump work harder.”
Ultimately then, the key to cost effective home heating isn't to leave the system on all day every day. It will save you money in the long run to properly insulate your home, ensuring you won't need to use as much energy to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.
Never leave a space heater running for long periods of time, and especially not overnight; it is best to use them intermittently; depending on your situation, a suggested practice would be to turn it off/unplug it for 10 minutes every hour if you depend on its use for longer periods.
So long as it's powerful enough to keep the house at the right temperature on the most extreme days of the year, running for longer periods of time is a good thing.
If you are using your home's furnace, no matter the type, keeping it running throughout the day and night is fully safe to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.
Most of the time, maintaining a comfortable temperature all day in the winter will cost more money than raising it a few degrees when you get home. You don't have to shut it down altogether, but can set it to a low temperature like 58 or 60 degrees.
There have been many reports from doctors that sleeping with the heating on all night can cause your body to overheat much more quickly. The Sleep Charity advises that an ideal bedroom temperature is 16-18 degrees celsius. Temperatures over 24 degrees celsius can impact your sleep and cause restlessness.
In general, your pace and fitness will take a hit while running in high temperatures. This is a natural response your body uses to protect itself from overheating and dehydrating. If you are planning to run in the heat, focus on your perceived effort rather than the pace or mileage.
As long as the furnace is running efficiently and not making strange noises, the constant operation is likely nothing to worry about. But in general, your furnace should not constantly be running. Otherwise, it could indicate a problem with your heating system.
Symptoms of heat-related illness include muscle cramps, weakness, nausea, and vomiting. If you have any of these, stop your workout right away, cool off, and hydrate. If you're an outdoor person in warmer climates, your best bet is to run in the morning or evening, when temperatures are cooler.
Overusing the heater or using an oversized heater can result in elevated levels of carbon monoxide or nitrogen dioxide fumes in the air. These fumes can cause cold or flu-like symptoms, headaches, and eye, nose and throat irritation.
The most economical way to manage your central heating is to turn it on for 8 to 10 hours per day. Program thermostatic radiator valves to come on about half an hour before you wake up and switch off a half hour after you go to bed.
During the Day: It's safe to leave your heater on for 6-8 hours if you're in the room. If you're busy or moving between rooms, consider using a timer to automatically shut it off after a few hours.
Heat-related illnesses include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion involve an abnormally high body temperature (hyperthermia) and need immediate treatment. You can lower your risk of heat illness by staying hydrated and limiting physical activity in hot weather.
You should never turn your heat completely off in the winter, as you'll risk sustaining plumbing damage and uncomfortable temperatures for your pets. Leaving your heat down has clear advantages, from saving money to a longer-lasting heating system. Reasons to leave the heat down include: Higher energy savings.
To save money, aim to have your temperature set around 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home and awake. This is a comfortable temperature for most with the help of a light sweater. Overnight and when you're out, around 64 degrees Fahrenheit will keep your home at a good temperature.
It isn't bad to run your heating system on a 24/7 basis if outdoor weather conditions demand indoor warmth. For many households, maintaining a constant indoor temperature is the only way to survive the winter. Just be aware that this is likely to cause additional wear and tear on your heating system.
When a furnace runs constantly, it probably means that something is dirty or clogged.
The Advantages of “Auto”
Lower Utility Bills — Since the blower only runs when heat is needed when your heater is set to “AUTO,” it requires less energy than if it were set to “ON.” This can lead to lower utility bills if you can put up with slightly cooler temperatures.
Many of us wonder if it is cheaper to leave the heating on all day, however, our pros advise you to heat your home for around eight to 10 hours per day.
Understand heat index dangers: Avoid running outside if the heat is above 98.6 degrees and the humidity is above 70-80%. If the humidity in the air is so high that it prevents the process of evaporation of sweat from the skin, you can quickly overheat and literally cook your insides from an elevated body temperature.
However, there's one easy way to slash your bills: set your thermostat to the best temperature for the appropriate amount of time. To save money on heating, the Department of Energy recommends turning your thermostat from 68°F to 70°F while you're awake and even lower when you're sleeping or away from home.
Drawbacks of Leaving Heat On All Day
The longer you keep your furnace on, the more fuel you will use. If you have poor insulation, the furnace will have to work more energy to maintain the inside temperature. The greater the heat loss, the more energy used and the higher your energy bill will be.
Keeping your heating at a low temperature all day long is an oft-cited approach, but unless your house is very well insulated or particularly prone to condensation, it's not a method we recommend.
Insulation. Well-insulated homes may only need heating for 6-8 hours even in winter, as they retain heat better. Poorly insulated homes might require 10-12 hours or more of heating to maintain comfortable temperatures.