Summer Heating Advice: How To Set Central Heating In Summer

During a UK winter, it’s easy to assume that your central heating system will be running continuously from mid-October until spring arrives. The UK’s seasonal changes make maintaining a comfortable home temperature unpredictable, especially since our houses are typically designed to retain heat and block out the cold. While this setup works well for autumn and winter, it can become problematic when temperatures rise.

Properly preparing your heating system for summer ensures your home stays cool and your heating functions efficiently year-round. This will help you save energy, reduce costs, and avoid unnecessary thermostat disputes!

In this guide to summer heating, you’ll learn how to best manage your heating system when the sun comes out.

When In Spring Should I Turn My Heating Off?

The best time to turn off your central heating in the spring will depend on a variety of things including your personal needs and comfort levels, the insulation present within your house, and the temperature outside. However, we typically recommend that a suitable time to consider turning your heating off is when daytime temperatures consistently stay above 15°C (59°F) and nighttime temperatures are comfortably mild (above 10°C or 50°F), ensuring stable warmth without heating.

Monitoring the weather forecast for no expected cold snaps, noticing that the home remains comfortable without additional heating, and aiming to save on energy costs are key factors. Additionally, longer daylight hours and proper ventilation reducing dampness further indicate it’s time to turn off the heating.

Practical steps to transition:

Gradually reduce heating time

Start by lowering the thermostat and reducing the heating hours gradually.

Monitor indoor temperature

Use a thermometer to ensure indoor temperatures remain comfortable.

Alternative heating options

On particularly chilly spring nights, consider using a portable heater in key rooms rather than the central heating system.

Should I Turn My Boiler Off In The Summer?

Whether to turn off your boiler completely in the summer will depend on the type, age, and condition of your boiler, as well as what you use the boiler for.

For instance, if your boiler is old or has not been serviced by a professional heating engineer regularly during its lifetime, turning it off for an extended period may well cause more harm than good. In this scenario, we would suggest leaving your boiler turned on but setting your thermostat to an extremely low temperature and turning off any heating schedules you may have put in place over the winter. Inside the boiler there are some moving parts and, if the boiler is not being used for a lengthy period, those moving parts could possibly jam. Similarly, this advice would apply if you were planning on going away on holiday during the winter.

If you do decide to turn an older boiler off completely to help save energy and money, it is a clever idea to turn it on a few times during the summer (or turn it on slightly earlier than needed) just to check it is all working as it should. That way, if the boiler fails to turn back on, the knock-on consequences to your household (in terms of heat and hot water) are unlikely to cause major disruption while you are getting the issue fixed. There will be no cold spells to freeze the pipes, and the internal elements are unlikely to become stuck.

Luckily, most modern combination boilers will have a “summer mode,” which turns off the central heating system and provides hot water on demand. This allows for the best of both worlds by saving energy and maximising comfort without affecting your supply of hot water. Again, it is recommended to switch the combination of for 20 minutes every few weeks to prevent the system sticking due to inactivity.

Should I Drain My Boiler For The Summer?

Draining your boiler for the summer is not recommended. Refilling it with fresh water introduces dissolved salts like magnesium and calcium, which can lead to limescale buildup and damage the boiler.

Professional Tips For Managing Your Gas Boiler During Summer

It may seem strange to think about maintaining your boiler right after turning it off for the season, especially when you won’t need it for the next three or four months. However, being proactive with summer maintenance ensures your heating system remains efficient and functional, so it’s ready to go when you need to switch it back on in the colder months:

Service your boiler: Annual boiler maintenance ensures efficient operation and reduces the risk of breakdowns. Servicing your boiler during the summer allows you to address any issues early, preventing the unpleasant surprise of a malfunction when you need heat and hot water the most in winter. Scheduling an annual service with a qualified heating engineer in the summer, when demand is lower, is a smart and proactive choice.
Bleed your radiators: After being in constant use over the winter, air can get trapped in your radiators, affecting efficiency. Bleeding the radiators during summer will release the trapped air, ensuring they work properly when you need them again.
Insulate pipes: Insulated pipes reduce heat loss, keeping your system efficient and preventing condensation. Use the warmer months to apply pipe insulation to any exposed pipes, especially those in cooler areas like the garage or basement.
Check for leaks: Leaks can cause water damage and reduce how well the system operates. Use the summertime to inspect your boiler and heating system for any signs of leaks and address them promptly.
Monitor the pressure: The boiler’s pressure can fluctuate, especially if not used frequently. It is worth checking the boiler’s pressure a couple of times in the summer and adjust if necessary, referring to your boiler’s manual for the correct pressure range. Alternatively, if you are not confident doing it yourself, your heating engineer will check this as standard during a boiler service.
Turn off radiator valves: This small task can make a significant impact on energy saving. Adjusting the thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) to the lowest setting or turning off radiator valves completely in rooms that don’t need heating really can make a difference.
Consider a Smart Thermostat: A smart thermostat can help you manage your heating more efficiently, even in the summer. This is where you can control your heating on the go from your phone, tablet, or other device. By installing a smart thermostat, you can better control your heating system remotely and optimise energy usage.

Turning Your Boiler Back On After Summer

If you’ve switched your combi boiler off for summer, it is crucial to switch it back on in the correct manner to avoid shocking the system. Here are some tips to manage this effectively:

Inspect your boiler for issues

Long periods of inactivity can lead to common boiler problems like low pressure or limescale buildup. Before turning it on, give your boiler a thorough once-over to spot any potential faults.

Ease it back into action

Prevent system sticking and catch any issues early by gradually reintroducing your boiler to regular use. in the weeks leading up to winter, switch your boiler on once a week for about 15-20 minutes. This gentle wake-up routine helps ensure everything is running smoothly before you need it full-time.

Increase the temperature gradually:

Finding the perfect heat without wasting energy or money is key. Turn up the thermostat one degree at a time to reach your desired comfort level. Avoid cranking it up too quickly, as this can lead to overheating and unnecessary energy consumption.

Can I Turn Off Underfloor Heating In Summer?

Yes, you can definitely turn off underfloor heating in the summer. Since underfloor heating systems are designed to provide warmth during colder months, it’s customary practice to switch them off during warmer seasons when heating isn’t necessary. Turning off the underfloor heating during summer helps conserve energy and prevents unnecessary heating of the space, keeping you comfortable without overheating your home.

However, if you have a water-based underfloor heating system, it’s advisable to periodically turn it on for 15-20 minutes every few weeks. This helps in detecting any potential faults and prevents the system from becoming inactive or “sticking”.

Can Heat Pumps Be Switched Off In Summer

Yes, heat pumps can be switched off in the summer. Heat pumps are designed to provide both heating and cooling functions, but they can be turned off during seasons when heating or cooling isn’t needed. In the summer, when temperatures are warmer, you can switch off the heat pump’s heating function and rely on other cooling methods like fans or air conditioning if necessary. Turning off the heat pump when it’s not needed helps conserve energy and reduces operating costs.

Most heat pumps come with a summer mode feature, automatically adapting to warmer weather conditions without requiring additional adjustments. Alternatively, you can manually lower the room thermostat setting to prevent the heating function from activating, while ensuring continuous hot water flow.

Direct Heating Systems In Summer

The primary distinction between a central heating system and a direct heating system lies in their activation methods. In a direct heating system, you must manually initiate the heating process for it to operate. This manual activation gives you the flexibility to choose when to use the heating system. For instance, during warmer months or periods of milder weather, you can opt not to activate the direct heating system, effectively avoiding unnecessary heating of your home.

Going on holiday soon? Check out the blog written by our sister company, about what to do with your heating while you are away on a summer or winter holiday.

If you would like help with any plumbing or heating maintenance or repairs at any time of the year, our team at Happy Dog Plumbing would love to help. Whenever you need us, give us a call.