In recent years, heating bills have risen astronomically. Frequently a topic on the news, people are struggling across the country to bring down their heating bills, often looking to increasingly complex strategies in order to do so – one of which is to switch the boiler off at the mains.
Whether you’re just curious about what would happen, or you want to try to save some money, a lot of people wonder what happens if they turn their boiler off. Let’s take a closer look.
The boiler Will Turn Off
With all modern or even semi-modern boilers, one of the first things that will happen if you turn the boiler off at the mains is that it’ll stop working. There are countless sensors in boilers nowadays that are designed to prevent the boiler from overheating or otherwise breaking.
Turning the water off at the mains, with non-closed loop heating systems, that is, will activate one of these sensors. You will essentially just be turning the whole thing off, not just the water.
Potential Complications
That being said, it’s not always a good idea to leave boilers switched off for long periods of time. Some of the internal parts, like pumps and valves, can seize up if not used for long enough, resulting in expensive repairs that outweigh the savings you made.
Still, a lot of modern boilers will automatically run the valve and pump even when switched off, to prevent just this. If you’re unsure whether yours does this, then it’s worth getting it serviced by an engineer from somewhere like Able Plumbers.
A Better Solution
If you’re trying to save money, the better solution is to leave the water on, and turn the boiler itself off. By leaving both connected, it can automatically run through some regular maintenance cycles, avoiding those potentially costly repairs.
You could also just set the thermostat low, so that it still kicks in if there’s a cold spell. Other cost-saving options that can leave you with a more comfortable home include upgrading your insulation, or investing in more efficient forms of heating.
In the Winter Months
If you’re considering turning off the boiler over the winter months, for example, if you’re going travelling, it could potentially be unwise to do so. Even if the pipes don’t freeze and eventually burst, leaving a house too cold for prolonged periods of time will allow condensation to build up.
After not so very long, that condensation will lead to the growth of mould, resulting in potentially significant amounts of damage being done to your home. It’s a much better idea to leave your thermostat low – around 14 degrees Celsius is best – so that you don’t have to deal with various damp-related issues when you finally return home.
Turning off your boiler can sometimes be a good idea, but there are often better alternatives if you’re just looking to save money. It’s important to be aware of the potential complications, or you could end up spending a lot more than you saved to rectify the various issues.
Check out these other home maintenance articles while you are here:
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