After soaring energy prices last year, homeowners are more likely to wait as long as possible before having to turn their central heating on to save money on gas bills.
So, when are most people expected to succumb to the autumn weather and switch their heating on?
Recent hot weather delays heating switch on
The recent heatwave many areas of the UK have experienced this September has come as a relief to bill payers, as the surge in temperature could delay when they heat up their radiators.
Temperatures even hit 33.2C over the weekend, so it is extremely unlikely people will be desperate to put their heating on just yet.
However, after a week-long Indian summer, temperatures are expected to cool down now. Heavy, stormy showers will take the humidity out of the air before temperatures drop so they are closer to normal for this time of the year, according to the Met Office.
This could mean that despite the sky-high temperatures experienced over the last few days, average temperatures of between 9C and 17C will become the norm again.
Therefore, if the central heating has not been put on yet, or did not go on at times over the dismal, dreary summer, homeowners are likely to turn it on at the same time as they do most years.
When temperatures fall below 15C
Most people need more than a dressing gown in the evenings to keep themselves warm when the outside temperature dips below 15C.
This is why when the weather is consistently this mild or cooler homeowners start considering turning up their thermostat.
For this season, late September or early October is usually when the central heating goes on. However, there may be days when it is not needed and days when it feels a lot colder outside.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, it is cheaper to put the heating on only when it is required, as opposed to having it on a consistent temperature every day.
For instance, bill payers could begin by only putting it on when they are at home in the daytime, keeping it off at night and when they are out. It is the coldest first thing in the morning and in the evening, so these are the optimum times to have your heating on when it begins to get colder outside.
Could you last till November?
Some Brits might be tempted to wait as long as possible to turn on their heating so they can save money on their energy bills, particularly as these have been so high over the last year.
Last year when bills were particularly steep, heating expert Jordan Chance told The Mirror: “Many [people] aim for the time when the clocks go back.”
This will fall on Sunday October 29th this year, which means homeowners could wait until it is nearly November before they turn their heating on.
There are different ways to heat up the house without relying on the boiler, such as having curtains as well as blinds, draught-proofing, and wearing layers.
Once the boiler is on, make it more efficient by having central heating cleaning, bleeding radiators, and only turning it on when needed.
However, it is important not to put up with freezing conditions as this could have a negative impact on your health.
The Met Office recommends homes to be at least 18C, especially for those who are 65 or older, have health conditions or reduced mobility.
So if we’re in for a freezing October, it is important to keep your home warm and turn on the central heating, even if it is earlier than you had wanted to.