A room thermostat is one of the simplest tools for controlling your heating—but it’s often misunderstood or used inefficiently. At Trusted Boilers Ltd., we want you to get the most comfort for the least cost. Here’s our best advice on how to use your room thermostat for maximum efficiency and savings.
What Does a Room Thermostat Do?
A room thermostat monitors the temperature in your home and tells your boiler when to turn the heating on or off. Set it to your preferred comfort level, and it will help keep your home at a steady temperature.
Best Practice for Setting Your Thermostat
- Recommended setting: 18–21°C (most households are comfortable here)
- Don’t keep turning it up: Setting the thermostat higher won’t heat your home faster. The boiler will work at the same rate until the chosen temperature is reached.
- Avoid constant adjustments: Find your ideal temperature and leave it—frequent changes can waste energy.
- Only heat occupied rooms: Use thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) to control temperatures in individual rooms.
Where Should I Place My Thermostat?
- Keep it in a living area: Avoid hallways, kitchens, or near doors and windows.
- Don’t cover it: Curtains, furniture, or heat sources (like radiators or sunlight) can give false readings.
- Smart thermostats: Can be placed almost anywhere and controlled remotely for even more flexibility.
Tips for Getting the Most from Your Thermostat
- Lower by 1°C: Reducing your thermostat by just one degree can cut heating bills by up to 10%.
- Don’t turn it off completely: Letting your home get too cold can cause damp and make the boiler work harder to heat up again.
- Use a timer/programmer: Schedule heating to match your lifestyle- warm when you need it, off when you don’t.
- Consider smart controls: Modern smart thermostats can learn your habits, adjust for weather, and save even more energy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Setting the thermostat too high and opening windows to cool down.
- Placing the thermostat in a cold spot (like an unheated hallway) so the boiler runs longer than needed.
- Ignoring regular servicing—an efficient boiler and a well-placed thermostat go hand-in-hand.
Need Help with Your Heating Controls?
Trusted Boilers Ltd. can advise on the best thermostat for your home, install new smart controls, or help you get the most from your current system.
