Are you wondering how to use your central heating thermostat and which settings are the best to maximise savings and comfort? In this guide, we provide the need to know info.
Are you wondering how to use your thermostat? And which settings you should really take advantage of to maximise energy savings?
In this guide, we'll explain where to place your thermostat, how to set up your thermostat, how to operate one and which settings you should be aware of.
Let's dive in...
Please note that this guide offers generic guidance and is designed to provide basic instructions for all types of thermostats commonly used in the UK.
What Is A Thermostat?
A thermostat is a device that controls the temperature of the room. It is an integral part of a heating system that reads the room temperature.
It turns the heating system off when the desired temperature is achieved and on when the temperature falls below the required limit.
The term “thermostat” is derived from two Greek words, “thermo” refers to heat while “static” indicates standing or staying the same. So, a thermostat essentially maintains the temperature it is set at.
How Does A Thermostat Work?
There are different types of thermostats, and although they achieve the same result, they work very differently.
You can find thermostats in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and styles, but they are broadly classified into two categories — mechanical and digital.
There are also smart thermostats, which themselves are in the digital category.
Smart thermostats include Google's Nest and British Gas's Hive and they include more innovative features designed to improve convenience and further the potential energy savings you can make.
Mechanical Thermostats
Mechanical thermostats are the traditional and standard type of thermostat, typically found mounted to an internal wall.
Mechanical thermostats help regulate the temperature using two pieces of different metals laminated together to form a bimetallic strip.
The strip is a part of the electrical circuit that switches the heating system on when completed and switches it off when broken.
The two metals forming the strip have different expanding and contracting temperatures.
So, at a given temperature, one of the metals will start expanding and the other will not.
This slightly bends the strip and breaks the electrical circuit. When this happens, the electricity switches off. There is no more heating, so the room starts to cool down.
As the temperature decreases, the strip cools and returns to its original shape to complete the circuit. This turns the electricity back on along with the heating.
Digital Thermostats (Including Smart Thermostats)
Most homes today have digital or electronic thermostats.
They are easy to operate and provide more efficient heating where you can get the heating within 1 degree of your chosen setting.
Digital thermostats are equipped with sensors that accurately read the room temperature and almost immediately correct the heating accordingly.
They respond quickly to any changes in a room’s temperature, as opposed to mechanical thermostats that are slower and deliver a temperature that may vary 5 degrees from the setting.
You can also find digital thermostats with advanced settings that allow you to program the thermostat at different settings on certain days or program different day and night temperatures.
You do not have to worry about manually changing the setting every time.
Some thermostats also have WiFi connectivity, so you can change the heating of your house with a touch of a button.
There are also smart thermostats available that learn and adapt to your routine, understanding your heating requirement and adjusting the temperature accordingly.
Related thermostat guides:
What About Thermostatic Radiator Valves?
Thermostatic Radiator Valves, or TRVs, are regulating valves that work at individual radiators allowing you to control the temperature in each room, allowing you to take advantage of the concept of "zonal heating".
A TRV is essentially a cylindrical gauge that sits at the side of the radiator and has numbers ranging from 0 to 6. It controls the temperature of the radiator they are fitted to.
TRVs give you control over the heating of different areas in a home that run on the same central heating system.
For example, you can switch off the radiator for rooms that are not in use and switch it on for rooms that you use.
They allow an extra step in controlling the room temperature and make the space more comfortable and the heating more cost-effective and convenient.
PS you can now read our complete review of the best thermostatic radiator valves in the UK.
How To Operate/Work A Thermostat
When installing a new device, it’s a good idea to always read the instructions in the manual and follow them accordingly.
To get you started, here are a few tips that will help you install a thermostat.
Where Should You Place/Install Your Thermostat?
As a thermostat detects air temperature, it must be placed in an area with good airflow and away from heat sources e.g. radiators.
Avoid places like behind curtains or places with constant sunlight because such areas will have temperatures lower or higher than the entire house.
A hallway, for example, is a good place for installing and setting the thermostat.
What Temperature Should You Set Your Thermostat?
Set the thermostat to the lowest temperature that you are comfortable at, bear in mind that this will likely change depending on the season/and or time of year.
It will fall anywhere between 18-21℃, which is considered an ambient or comfortable temperature.
Remember every 1℃ rise in temperature will increase your heating bill by 3%.
Once you have set the temperature, you are done. No more messing with the dial.
It can be tempting to just change a few degrees here and there, especially during colder days but don’t.
The thermostat will automatically read the room temperature and adjust the heating according to your setting.
Note: if you have a smart thermostat, like the Nest by Google, they have integrated features that help you save even more.
Don't Forget the Thermostat's Timer
If you have a programmable thermostat, you can not only set the temperature but the time as well.
You can set it at a lower temperature when you are not at home, which will save energy, and at the desired temperature when you are home.
Related thermostat reading:
Operating a Mechanical Thermostat
Adjusting a mechanical thermostat is easy as it already has a temperature dial.
All you have to do is set the dial at the temperature you are comfortable at.
However, as we have learned earlier, mechanical thermostats function according to the expansion and contraction of the metals in the bimetallic strip.
The process takes time, so the heating adjustment is rather gradual and not very accurate.
How To Set Your Temperature To Save Energy
Here are a few tips that will help you save some money on your heating bills:
Consider the Outdoor Temperature
Your thermostat works to adjust your indoor temperature to offset the outdoor temperature.
The greater the difference, the harder the heating system will have to work to achieve the set temperature.
This will increase energy usage. To lower this, set your thermostat at a comfortable temperature that is closer to the outdoor temperature.
Give Your Thermostat Some Time To Adjust The Heat
It is tempting to tamper with the dial when it is freezing cold or blazing hot. But remember, your system can only take so much load.
The heating will take time and may not heat or cool faster if you set the temperature too high or too low.
Avoid excessive heating and cooling and focus on setting the temperature right initially.
Consider Upgrading to a Smart Thermostat
If you don't already own one, consider upgrading your heating with a smart thermostat, such as Google's Nest, Tado or Hive.
Smart thermostats learn and adapt to your lifestyle.
For example, they are able to detect when you are home and turn the heating off, referred to as Geo-Fencing capability.
They also include OpenTherm technology. This is an advanced algorithm that can modulate your boiler’s heating temperature, allowing your greener boiler to use less gas to reach the temperature set by the thermostat.
According to the Energy Saving Trust installing a smart thermostat could save you as much as £75 a year.
Use Programmable Features
If you have a programmable thermostat, use it.
Set the temperature closer to the outside temperature when you are off to work and closer to the temperature you find most comfortable when you are back home.
You can set the thermostat to adjust the temperature after you leave and before you return, helping you save energy without compromising your comfort.
If you have a Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat, you can access your house’s heating via your phone or computer. You will also receive intelligent alerts that notify you if your space needs heating or cooling down.
Use Energy-Saving Alternatives
There are many energy-saving alternatives that can give your heating/cooling system a rest and save you lots of money.
There are chilly days when you cannot live without your heating system, but for days when the cold is bearable, use heating blankets, fireplaces, etc. as warming alternatives to your heating system.
How To Use A Thermostat Conclusion
Thermostats are energy savers and help you to achieve a comfortable living environment throughout the year.
They help regulate the temperature in your home, keeping you warm or cool as needed.
And while some thermostats may look complex, they are quite easy to operate, with the newer digitized thermostats also offering many amazing features that take comfort to the next level!
If you are deciding on what thermostat to choose, make sure to check our comprehensive review of the UK's most popular smart thermostats.
