How to use your heating controls

Understanding how your heating controls work can help you heat your home comfortably without wasting energy. Installing and correctly using a thermostat, timer and thermostatic radiator valves can save energy – and save you money.

How do I use a room thermostat?

A thermostat controls the overall temperature in your home. It turns your boiler on and off automatically when the room temperature reaches the level you’ve chosen. It may take some trial and error having a go with the thermostat to find a temperature that’s comfortable for you.

How do I use a timer?

A timer lets you control when your heating or hot water turns on and off each day, so that you can programme your central heating to suit your routine. For example, you could set the timer to come on half an hour before you get up or come home, and to turn off half an hour before you no longer need it. It's a good idea to experiment to work out what suits you.

How do I use thermostatic radiator valves?

Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) control the temperature in a room by reducing the amount of water pumped through the radiators when the temperature goes above a certain level. TRVs can be fitted to your radiators if you don’t already have them – the cost will depend on the size of your home.

An example of how TRVs can be helpful is if you spend most of your time downstairs during the day, you could set the TRVs on your downstairs radiators to medium or high, and leave the upstairs ones on low.

How do I use a hot water cylinder thermostat?

If your hot water is stored in a cylinder, a thermostat will stop it being hotter than it needs to be. A temperature of 60°C (140°F) is fine for most people – but make sure it doesn’t drop below this as it can cause bacteria to grow in the tank.

How do I use a boiler thermostat?

Boilers usually have a dial marked with numbers or from ‘min’ to ‘max’. This sets the temperature of the water being pumped through to heat your radiators. The higher it is, the quicker the system will heat your home. But it’s worth thinking about any particularly hot radiators and pipes if you have grandchildren around, or if there’s someone in the house with mobility issues or a cognitive impairment.

For advice on setting the controls for your boiler, take a look at advice on setting its manual. If you don’t have the manual anymore, contact the manufacturer for a copy or search online using the full name of your model.

What do the settings on my central heating controls mean?

Below, we've explained the more common settings on central heating controls:

• 'Auto' or 'Twice' means the heating will go on and off during
  the day at the times it’s been programmed to do so.
• '24hrs' or 'On' means the heating will stay on all the time.
• 'Off' means the heating will stay off all the time.
• 'All day' or 'Once' means the heating will switch on at the first 'On' setting you’ve programmed and then stay on until the last 'Off' setting of the day.

Where can I get help with my heating controls?

If you’re not sure how to check if your heating controls are set properly, ask a local handyperson to help. Over 70 local Age UKs operate handyperson services across much of the country.These are usually charged-for services, and the cost depends on the nature of the work required.

You could also contact Foundations, the body for handyperson services in England. 

Find out more on the Foundations website