Going on holiday is never really simple. You may find that you end up forgetting things, or that you simply end up experiencing stress because you end up rushing around at the last minute. One question that a lot of people ask when going on holiday is if they should turn their boiler off or not. That’s why in this article, we’re going to answer the question- “should I turn my boiler off when I go on holiday?”.
It All Depends on When you Plan to Go Away
Whether or not you turn your boiler off will depend on when you go away. If you have planned a holiday during summer, where the heating is rarely on because it’s consistently warm then it’s fine for you to turn off your boiler. If you are going on holiday during the winter months and the UK is experiencing a chill, then it’s recommended that you keep your boiler switched on.
Freezing Temperatures
It makes sense for you to leave your boiler turned on when the temperatures in the UK plummet. The main reason for this is because it stops the pipes from freezing and it also stops damage from being caused to the plumbing. If you keep your boiler turned on and if you keep the thermostat at a low temperature then this will help you to make sure that your house is nice and warm when you get back from your travels. Most modern boilers come with an antifreeze setting, which is great if you’re planning a vacation. This means that the heating will turn on automatically should the temperatures plummet to below a certain amount, so you don’t have anything to worry about there.
Setting a Timer is a Good Idea
If you feel somewhat uncomfortable about leaving your boiler on all the time when you are not in the country, then you can in fact set a timer. This will mean that the boiler turns on for an hour every day. The best time for you to switch on the heating is between 3am and 4am. This is usually the coldest time in the day, and if you do this then you can make sure that the water in the system is not getting cold enough to freeze. If you have a combination boiler then you may be wondering- should I turn my combi boiler off when I go on holiday? This is understandable, but sometimes you may find that your boiler just doesn’t turn off. Take a look below to find out why.
Why Won’t my Boiler Turn Off?
As mentioned above, some boilers have an antifreeze setting. They won’t turn off because of this. The setting is used to protect your system so when you go on holiday, you can stop your pipes from freezing. It keeps your bills as low as possible too, so you don’t need to worry about your system being left on.
Cash Savings: Should you Turn off your Boiler?
So should you turn off your boiler when you go on holiday? This is a very popular question that so many homeowners ask. There’s a common myth that is circulating, which claims that if you switch your boiler back on after a very long period of time, then you will use up more energy when compared to leaving it turned on at a low temperature. This is not the case at all. Turning off your boiler saves money when compared to leaving it turned on, at a lower setting. If when you return from holiday, your boiler isn’t working as it should then don’t panic. Contact a gas engineer, as they will be able to reset your boiler or find out the source of the issue. This is a fantastic way for you to make sure that you are not tampering with the device yourself and potentially voiding your warranty.
Conclusion
So a lot of people believe that you should turn off your boiler when you go on holiday. In summer, this would be wise so you can easily enjoy your vacation without having to worry about your energy bills building up for when you return. If you are going away in winter to escape the bitterly cold weather, then it would be wise to leave your boiler turned on, as there’s an anti-freeze setting on most modern boilers. If your boiler does not have this setting, then it’s wise for you to try and program your thermostat so that your boiler turns on around 3 am. If you don’t have a thermostat, then leave your boiler turned on at a low temperature as this can stop your pipes from freezing over and it will also make it way easier for you to stop any issues from arising in the future with your heating system.
