Winter puts your heating system under the most pressure, so getting your thermostat settings right really matters. Set it too high and you’ll burn through gas fast. Set it too low and your home never quite feels comfortable — especially first thing in the morning or late evening.
For most UK homes, the sweet spot in winter is consistency, not cranking the heat up and down.
The Best Winter Thermostat Temperature for UK Homes
As a general guide, most households are comfortable with a thermostat setting between 18–21°C in winter.
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18–19°C works well for bedrooms, kitchens, and homes with good insulation
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20–21°C is often better for living rooms, older properties, or households with young children or elderly occupants
Anything higher than this usually brings diminishing returns — rooms don’t feel much warmer, but energy use climbs quickly.
Should You Turn the Thermostat Down at Night in Winter?
Yes — but not too much.
At night, most people sleep better in a slightly cooler environment. Lowering the thermostat by 2–3°C overnight can save energy without making the house uncomfortably cold by morning.
For example, if your daytime setting is 20°C, dropping to 17–18°C overnight is usually enough to protect comfort and prevent pipes from getting too cold.
A Recommended Winter Thermostat Schedule (UK)
Whether you use a programmable thermostat or a smart one, this is a sensible winter setup that works for most households:
| Time of Day | Recommended Setting | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| 06:00 – 08:30 | 20–21°C | Warms the house for waking, washing, and breakfast |
| 08:30 – 16:30 | 16–18°C | Maintains background warmth while out or inactive |
| 16:30 – 22:30 | 20–21°C | Comfort during evenings and family time |
| 22:30 – 06:00 | 17–18°C | Cooler for sleep while preventing excessive heat loss |
This approach avoids big temperature swings, which actually use more energy than gentle, steady heating.
How Smart Thermostats Improve Winter Heating
Smart thermostats take this a step further by learning how your home heats up and cools down. Instead of heating at fixed times, they can:
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Start warming the house earlier on colder mornings
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Reduce heat automatically if the home retains warmth
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Adjust temperatures based on outdoor conditions
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Lower settings when you’re out, without letting the house go cold
In winter, this often leads to better comfort with lower overall gas use, especially in homes that heat unevenly.
Is It Cheaper to Leave Heating On Low All Winter?
This depends on the property, but in most UK homes it’s better to use scheduled heating rather than leaving the system on constantly.
Keeping heating on all day at a low temperature can still waste energy, particularly in draughty or poorly insulated homes. A controlled schedule that matches your daily routine usually delivers better results and avoids the boiler working unnecessarily.
A Simple Winter Heating Tip That’s Often Overlooked
Before adjusting your thermostat, make sure radiators can actually deliver the heat. Trapped air, poor balancing, or closed valves can make rooms feel cold even when the thermostat is set correctly.
If some rooms are warm and others struggle, the issue is often the system setup — not the thermostat setting itself.
The Winter Takeaway
In winter, the goal isn’t to run your heating hotter — it’s to run it smarter. A thermostat set between 18–21°C, combined with a sensible daily schedule, keeps homes comfortable while controlling costs.
If you’re constantly adjusting the thermostat or still feeling cold, it may be time to review your system setup, controls, or boiler efficiency. Winter is when heating problems show themselves most clearly — and when getting things right makes the biggest difference.
I’m Penny North, a home energy heating expert. My mission is to demystify new boilers and complex heating systems to help you achieve a warm, cosy home with lower energy bills and a smaller environmental footprint.