Heating expert reveals the best time to switch heating on

The UK is still settling into autumn but for some it feels like we have already reached winter's peak leading to more and more households cranking up the heating. However, as homes warm up, the concerns of energy bills also sweep in, especially as heating contributes to a siginificant amount of energy usage.

Fortunately, a heating expert revealed a certain time that households should switch their heating on that will both set up your home for the day and save you a bit of money on those bills. Stephen Hankinson, heating expert at Electric Radiators Direct, recommends switching it on between 6.30am and 7.30 am.

He said: "The coldest time of the day is typically shortly after sunrise, when the rays are weak. I recommend switching your heating on for a short burst between 6:30 am and 7:30 am. This takes the edge off the chill as you get out of bed and sets your home up for the day without wasting energy by running it for too long."

Doing this will help ensure that your home feels warm during the coldest hours of the day and is convenient for keeping you warm during those chilly mornings.

For those who have work varying shifts, wake up earlier or later in the day, Ideal Home revealed that you can turn on your heating 30 minutes before you wake up instead.

The idea behind switching on your heating before you wake up rather than afterwards is that it prevents you from being "tempted to crank it up to warm the house quickly", Stephen Day, a heating engineer from iHeat, explained.

It is a solution that is both comforting and cost-effective. However, it works best if it is done shortly before you get up.

Mr Day explained: "If you put it on too early, you'll end up heating a space no one is using, which isn't efficient either. Plus, overheating can actually disrupt your sleep in the early hours, especially if your bedroom gets too warm.

"A lot of people don't realise that their home doesn't need to be roasting, and a temperature of around 18 - 20C is ideal for the morning, and if you've got a well insulate properly, it won't take long to reach that, even on the chilliest mornings."