Wait until spring, when there is consistent warm weather, to turn off the furnace. Begin by turning off the pilot light by switching the knob to the off position. Next, shut off the main gas supply. However, be careful to avoid cutting off the gas supply to your water heater or stoves that use natural gas.
Typically, you'll want to monitor nighttime temperatures and only turn off the furnace when these are comfortable to you. That doesn't mean outdoor temperatures have to be 20 degrees. Your home will retain daytime heat through most of the night.
Our best recommendation is to shut your heating system off when the temperature outside stays at a consistent 50° Fahrenheit. While this might sound a little cold, it will actually take a couple of days until the temperature inside your home drops back down to that level.
We recommend turning off your heating system whenever the temperature consistently reaches 50° F outdoors. This doesn't mean you must shut off your heating system entirely. Instead, it simply means that you should be able to at least shut it off throughout the daytime hours to help save money on your energy bills.
So you have the option to turn off your furnace but should you? The main reason for shutting down your furnace in the summer is to save money. With older furnaces that may be worth it but your best bet is to compare previous summer heating bills to see how much you could save.
The main risks of turning off your furnace include: Frozen or burst pipes. Structural damage to your home from contraction and expansion. Health adversities from decreasing indoor temperatures.
Although you may be saving money by switching your boiler off, over time it may lead to problems. Your central heating system is complex and you will have several valves and pumps that are not designed to stay idle for long. Lack of usage might lead them to seize up and get stuck.
Heating experts in the UK often weigh in on the ideal time to switch off heating systems. One commonly suggested date is around the end of March, a period that aligns with the changing clocks and the promise of warmer weather.
With that said, there are some general guidelines you can follow. If the outside temperature is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, it is probably time to start thinking about turning on the heat. Once the temperature drops below 50 degrees, you will probably want to turn on the heat.
Turn Your Thermostat Down Before You Leave for Vacation
Although it's important to keep your home semi-warm while you're away, you don't want your furnace heating an empty house and increasing utility bills. We recommend turning your thermostat down to 60 degrees.
In general, 80 degrees is too hot for a house if people are inside. However, if people aren't home during the day or for vacation during the summer, an indoor temperature of 80 degrees can save energy until you return and lower the temperature.
When you get home, the most energy efficient thermostat setting for summer is around 72-76°. Don't drop the temperature lower than that, expecting the house to cool off faster.
Thermostat settings play a pivotal role in managing your heating system's efficiency. It's a common misconception that leaving your heating on at a constant temperature is more energy-efficient than turning it on and off. Does turning the heat on and off raise the bill each month? The answer is no.
At Night – Close windows as the temperatures drop. Unless it gets considerably colder overnight, your home should retain much of the heat of the day without getting uncomfortably cold. When temperatures are above 60 degrees consistently, it's usually time to turn off your heating system for the season.
Find the switch mounted on or near the furnace and turn the power off. If you can't find a switch at the furnace you can turn off the circuit breaker to the furnace at the main circuit breaker box. Wait about 10 seconds. Turn the switch or breaker back on and check the furnace to see that it has power again.
It's More Advisable to Turn the Heat Down, Not Off
HVAC replacement companies recommend turning the temperature down by at least eight degrees before you go to sleep for eight hours or more, depending on how long you sleep at night.
Energy Efficiency: Setting the thermostat to 78-80 degrees can help save energy and reduce utility bills. Raising the thermostat during extremely hot days can save you up to 10-15% on your cooling costs, depending on factors like your home's insulation and your AC's efficiency level.
Experts have found that the human body has an “upper critical temperature” of between 40C and 50C, a limit which, if surpassed, can cause it to start malfunctioning.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends setting your thermostat no lower than 64 degrees (F) in the Winter months while people are in the home. If there are infants or elderly individuals, they recommend keeping the temperature at 70 degrees at a minimum.
When you turn off the air conditioner in the heat of summer, you allow humidity to creep inside, and with it, mold and bugs creep in, too. That's why it is always best to turn the thermostat up instead of turning it completely off because air conditioners act like dehumidifiers, cooling and circulating the air.
The best way to avoid damp and mould is by keeping your room temperature and humidity at the optimum levels. Try to maintain a consistent room temperature of around 20 °C, and avoid letting it drop below 16 °C. The humidity should be between 30 and 60%, any higher and there is too much moisture in the air.
Is turning your boiler off during the summer efficient? Turning your boiler off may seem a good way to protect your home, especially from a potential gas leak. However, contrary to popular belief, there's no need to turn your heating off during summer or when you are away on holiday.
Yes, by turning off your furnace in the summer you will reduce energy costs and decrease your utility payments. If left on, it will continue to consume energy.
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.
Turn Heat Down FAQ
Yes, homeowners can save money on their energy and heating bills by turning the thermostat down. You can save almost 15 percent of your total heating bill by lowering your heat by seven degrees overnight (or for any other eight hour period).