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Writer's pictureTerry Matthews

Why You Should Set Your Thermostat to a Setback Temperature During Winter

Winter can be a challenging season for homeowners in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, especially when it comes to keeping your home warm without facing a hefty energy bill. At Matthews Plumbing and Maintenance, we understand the importance of balancing comfort with efficiency. If you're planning on going away for the holidays, spending long hours at work, or simply trying to keep your home efficient during the cold months, setting your thermostat to a setback temperature could be the perfect solution. Let’s explore why this simple adjustment can make such a big difference for homes across Haywards Heath and surrounding areas.


Heating engineer haywards heath

What Is a Setback Temperature?

A setback temperature is a lower temperature setting on your thermostat used when your home doesn’t need to be fully heated, like when you’re away or asleep. Typically, this means setting your thermostat to around 8-12°C. This range keeps your home at a stable temperature that prevents freezing while reducing energy consumption.

Why Not Just Turn Off the Heating?

It's tempting to think turning off your heating completely when you're away would be the best energy-saving option, but it can lead to unintended problems. During winter, pipes are highly susceptible to freezing, and frozen pipes can lead to bursts and costly repairs. If your heating is off, your home's internal temperature can drop low enough for this to happen, especially if there is an unexpected cold snap.

By keeping the thermostat set to a low temperature, you maintain enough warmth to prevent pipes from freezing, which is key to avoiding bigger, more expensive problems down the road. Think of it as a little insurance policy that keeps things running smoothly while you're not there.


Energy Efficiency Benefits

Heating an entirely cold house from scratch takes more energy than maintaining it at a slightly reduced temperature. By setting a setback temperature between 8-12°C, you allow your heating system to work smarter, not harder. When you return home and turn the heating up, your boiler won’t need to overexert itself to reach your desired temperature because the house is already partially warm. This translates to better energy efficiency and lower heating bills for homeowners in West Sussex.

Practical Scenarios for Using Setback Temperatures

  • Away on Holiday: If you're going away for the holidays, a setback temperature can keep your home frost-free without wasting too much energy. This is especially important for homes in Haywards Heath, where winter temperatures can dip unexpectedly.

  • While at Work: If your home will be empty throughout the day, setting a setback temperature ensures it's not fully heated when no one is there but also doesn't get so cold that it causes issues.

  • Overnight: Using a setback temperature while sleeping can also be effective if you prefer a cooler sleeping environment but still want to avoid freezing pipes.

How to Set Your Thermostat

Most modern thermostats have a programmable feature that allows you to schedule different temperatures for different times of day. This is ideal for setting a setback temperature during the hours you know you’ll be away or asleep. If you’re using a smart thermostat, you can even make adjustments remotely, giving you control wherever you are — perfect for those times when your plans change while you're out and about in West Sussex.

Peace of Mind During Winter

Winter often brings unexpected cold spells, and the last thing you want to deal with is an emergency plumbing repair while you’re supposed to be relaxing on holiday or focusing on work. At Matthews Plumbing and Maintenance, we see how often frozen pipes can lead to significant damage in homes across Haywards Heath. By setting your thermostat to a setback temperature, you give yourself peace of mind, knowing your home is protected from the worst of winter's effects, even when you’re not there to keep an eye on it.

Conclusion

Setting your thermostat to a setback temperature during the colder months is a simple yet highly effective way to protect your home, reduce energy consumption, and maintain efficiency. It ensures your home stays warm enough to avoid the risks of frozen pipes without unnecessarily driving up your energy bills. So, before you leave for your next winter getaway, remember to set it low but keep it on — your home (and your wallet) will thank you!

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