As the cost of living crisis continues and energy bills soar, many people will be looking at ways to save some extra cash. Experts are urging Britons to turn on their heating now in a bid to save money.
Ofgem has warned that households face a “very challenging winter” as energy bills could hit over £3,000 this October, so any extra cash could be vital for families on low incomes, who are feeling the squeeze.
While it may seem counterintuitive, experts have stated that turning on the boiler in summer could actually save money in the long term.
Leaving a boiler off for months at a time could leave people with hefty repair bills in months to come, according to specialists at Boiler Central.
As a result, turning off boilers for extended periods of time could result in it seizing up and the hot water stopping.
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A spokesperson from Boiler Central told Edinburgh Live: “Most homeowners believe turning their boiler off as soon as summertime hits should be a given, but this is far from the case.
“Turning your boiler off for long periods can cause more harm than good, which is why it is important to turn your heating on now and again.
“This will protect the internal workings of older and modern boilers and prevent them from seizing up.
“If you turn your boiler off at the beginning of May and don’t turn the central heating on again until the months of autumn, you may have trouble bringing your boiler completely back to life.
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“This will affect appliances such as your central heating, hot water for your mains shower, and some washing machines that can take hot water from the boiler.
“In the worst-case scenario, parts may need to be replaced, which will cost both time and money – especially if you need to hire a central heating specialist for the job.”
Tips to take care of your boiler this summer
To maximise savings, people should turn on their boiler once every few weeks for around an hour during summer.
This will make it less likely to develop a fault that will require costly repairs by the time autumn comes around.
For Britons using their boiler for water, combi boilers can be left on over the summer and do not use any gas unless hot water is needed.
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Boilers need regular maintenance. This is particularly true if the boiler is old and people rely on it for hot water.
If someone leaves their boiler on the side lines for over the summer, they risk ruining the pipes through corrosion and lack of use.
Therefore, people should have it serviced during the summer months — ideally between July and September.
Energy consultancy Cornwall Insight forecast that the energy price cap would hit £3,359 per year from October for the average household, and not fall below that level until at least the end of next year.
The price cap on energy bills, which regulates what 24 million British households pay, will hit £3,616 from January and rise further to £3,729 from April, it said.
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