(Image: Getty Images)
Bradford households should wait until outdoor temperatures consistently drop below a critical threshold before switching on their central heating, specialists advise.
The annual heating milestone comes amid intense financial pressure on family budgets following recent changes to utility charges.
More than four million households on standard tariffs saw energy costs climb after Ofgem increased the energy price cap by 4% on October 1, 2026.
While energy analysts caution that far steeper bill rises are already building on the horizon for the new year.
Cornwall Insight forecasts that the price cap will jump by a further 16% on January 1, 2027.
The predicted rise would add another £276 to annual costs, taking the benchmark household bill to £1,999 a year.
When is the right time to put the heating on?
Official NHS guidance recommends turning radiators on once outside temperatures fall below 15°C to protect against seasonal illnesses.
Health officials state that living spaces should be kept at a minimum temperature of 18°C for anyone aged 65 and over, individuals with pre-existing conditions, and those with limited mobility.
For households with infants, doctors advise that rooms where babies sleep should remain between 16°C and 20°C.
Analysis of long-term Met Office climate data by specialists BestHeating reveals that October 20 is the exact date Britain typically reaches that sustained chill.
From October 20 onwards, average outdoor temperatures across the country are not expected to rise above 15°C for the rest of the year.
The only recent exception occurred in 2022, when an unseasonable autumn heatwave with highs of 23°C delayed heavy heating use until November 2.
Medical experts warn that when outdoor readings fall below 13°C, the risk of severe health complications, including respiratory infections and cardiovascular strain, increases significantly.
Should you leave your heating on low all the time?
Addressing the belief that it is more cost efficient to leave your heating on all day than turning it on when you need it, Stephen Hankinson, energy efficiency expert at Electric Radiators Direct, said: “Firing up your boiler and the initial stage of heating your home is the most energy-intense, and costly, period of the process. That has led some to speculate whether doing away with this and keeping the heating on all day – at lower temperatures – can reduce this cost.
“But – and there are a good few buts – it’s not recommended.
“Having your heating set to a low temperature – say 14o-16o – means it is not set to a level that you are likely to be comfortable in, so you’ll be turning it up at some point and spending more money.
“Plus having your heating on when you're not in the home is a complete waste of money. You don’t put the oven on when you’re not cooking food, so why would you turn on the appliance designed to keep you warm when you’re not there?”
He also looked at four other ways you could save money on your energy bills this winter.
How to save money on energy bills
Turn your thermostat down
Stephen explained the easiest way to cut money off your bill is to turn your thermostat down.
He said: “If your thermostat is attempting to reach a temperature of 22-23o each day, you’re unlikely to notice the effect of dropping it a degree or two. In the coldest depths of winter, it may not even be possible for temperatures to get that high if your home has large, airy rooms.
“You’ll save more for each degree you can withstand taking it down by. Going by the latest average usage figures, dropping from 21o to 18o could save over £300 a year.”
Never heat empty rooms
“In a home with central heating, this is very easy to overlook if you have rooms that are not used regularly, as switching the heating on will activate every radiator around the house,” Stephen explained.
He added: “Turning radiator valves down will stop them from producing heat – and this can lower your bill if you live in an older property with an older boiler. But for newer homes and systems, this is counterproductive as the inefficiencies it causes in the system can actually increase your bill.
“In these cases, you’re better off trying to make your system more efficient by reducing the flow temperature of your boiler – but this is a tricky balance to strike as going too low can cause big problems for your boiler.”
Schedule your heating
Stephen said: ““Those who don’t work from home at all during the week should pay close attention to this one as there will be large parts of the day where you simply do not need the heating on.
“An hour or so in the morning, starting shortly before you typically wake up, should have you in comfort as you go about getting ready for the day. And keeping the heating off while you’re out for the day means you can set it to have the house nice and warm for you when you get back.
“Similarly, if you’re going away for an evening or a few days, make sure to change your thermostat to reflect this and ensure you’re not wasting money.”
Heat the person, not the space
This isn’t as simple as sticking a jumper on, Stephen said. Instead, he recommends that rather than reaching for the thermostat when you start feeling chilly, you can instead reach for a hot water bottle.
Boiling the kettle for a hot water bottle will cost around 6p, and be significantly cheaper than turning up the heating.
Stephen added: “If temperatures have really plummeted, or you just want more of a technological option, then a heated blanket is also great. If you spend three hours of an evening relaxed under one, the electricity will set you back about 9p even at full blast.”