As the days grow longer and temperatures finally begin to climb in Derbyshire and South Yorkshire, many of our customers start asking whether they should turn their boilers off for summer. It’s a great question – after all, why waste energy and money keeping a heating system running when you’re more likely to reach for a cold drink than turn up the thermostat?
For years, Alpha Heating’s heating specialists have advised homeowners in Chesterfield, Sheffield, and beyond on seasonal boiler maintenance. While it might seem straightforward, deciding to turn off your boiler during the summer isn’t always as clear-cut as you might think.
Understanding Your Boiler’s Summer Functions
Before making any decisions about turning your boiler off for summer, it’s important to understand what your boiler actually does during the warmer months:
Hot Water Production
If you have a combi or system boiler, it heats your radiators and provides hot water for showers, baths, and washing up. Unless you fancy cold showers all summer (which, let’s be honest, even in a British heatwave isn’t appealing for most!), you’ll need to consider this essential function.
Occasional Heating Requirements
Even during summer, we all know the British weather can be unpredictable. Those unexpected chilly evenings in June or rainy August days might have you reaching for the heating controls, especially in areas like Matlock or Buxton, where temperatures can drop quickly after sunset.
Preventing System Issues
Regular operation helps prevent certain issues, such as seized pump components or stuck valves. These problems are often encountered during autumn, when systems that have been completely dormant suddenly need to spring back to life.
The Case for Turning Your Boiler Off
There are certainly some good arguments for switching your boiler off during summer:
Energy Savings
Your boiler consumes energy even in standby mode. For a typical household in Chesterfield or Sheffield, completely turning off an efficiently functioning boiler when it’s not needed for hot water could save around £30 over the summer months.
Reducing Wear and Tear
Like any mechanical system, boilers experience wear with use. During months when heating isn’t required, giving your boiler a complete rest can potentially extend its operational lifespan, though this needs to be balanced against the risks of leaving it dormant for too long.
Environmental Benefits
Every kilowatt of energy saved is good for both your pocket and the planet. If you have alternative means of heating water during the summer (such as an immersion heater or solar thermal system), turning your boiler off completely can reduce your carbon footprint.
The Case for Keeping Your Boiler On
On the other hand, there are compelling reasons why many of our customers across Derby, Rotherham and Mansfield choose to keep their boilers operational during summer:
Consistent Hot Water Supply
The most obvious reason is ensuring you have hot water whenever you need it. While summer might mean fewer hot baths, you’ll still want hot water for washing up and showers.
Preventing System Stagnation
Complete inactivity can sometimes lead to issues with moving parts in your heating system. Pumps can seize, valves can stick, and in older systems, pipes might even develop issues if left unused for extended periods.
Protection Against Summer Cold Snaps
Anyone who’s lived in Derbyshire or South Yorkshire for a while knows that summer doesn’t always mean consistent warmth. Having your heating system ready to respond to those unexpected chilly days can be a real comfort.
Our Recommended Approach: The Middle Ground
After installing and maintaining thousands of boilers across the region, our experience suggests that for most homeowners, a middle-ground approach works best:
For Combi Boiler Owners
If you have a combi boiler, we generally recommend:
- Turn the heating function off: Use your boiler controls to switch off the central heating function but keep the hot water function active.
- Reduce the hot water temperature: Many modern boilers allow you to lower the hot water temperature during summer, which can save energy while still providing comfortable hot water.
- Consider a short weekly heating cycle: Running your heating for 15-30 minutes once a week during summer helps keep all components in working order.
This approach has worked well for our customers from Barnsley to Bakewell, providing a good balance between energy saving and system maintenance.
For System and Conventional Boiler Owners
If you have a system or conventional boiler with a separate hot water cylinder:
- Adjust your programmer: Set your heating to off, but keep hot water scheduled to come on once or twice daily as needed.
- Lower cylinder temperature: In summer, reducing the stored water temperature slightly can save energy while still providing sufficient hot water.
- Consider using an immersion heater: If you have one, summer might be a good time to use it for hot water instead of firing up the full boiler system.
Special Considerations for Holiday Periods
If you’re planning a summer holiday, the question of whether to turn your boiler off while you’re away becomes particularly relevant:
For Short Breaks (Less than two weeks)
For shorter holidays, we typically recommend Sheffield and Chesterfield homeowners:
- Turn the heating off completely
- Reduce hot water timing and temperature settings to the minimum requirements
- Don’t turn the system off at the mains unless you’re familiar with the restart procedure
For Extended Absences
If you’re leaving your property for several weeks or more:
- Consider turning the system off completely to maximise energy savings
- If you do this, it’s worth asking a neighbour or friend to turn it on briefly once every couple of weeks
- If your property will be completely empty, remember to consider frost protection if there’s an unseasonably cold spell
Getting Your Boiler Ready for Summer
Whatever approach you choose, here are some steps to prepare your boiler for the summer months:
- Book a summer service: The warmer months are actually the ideal time for your annual boiler service, avoiding the autumn rush and ensuring your system runs efficiently.
- Check your pressure: With less demand on your system, summer is a good time to make sure your boiler pressure is correct.
- Clear radiator sludge: If you’ve noticed uneven heating during winter, summer is the perfect opportunity to arrange a power flush before the next heating season.
- Test-run your heating: Before turning off your heating for summer, run it for 15 minutes to ensure everything is working properly.
When to Call the Professionals
If you’ve decided to keep your boiler partially or fully operational during summer but notice any of these issues, it’s time to give our heating engineers a call:
- Unusual noises when hot water is demanded
- Fluctuating hot water temperatures
- Higher-than-expected summer gas bills
- Leaks or drips around any part of your system
Summer is actually an excellent time to address any boiler repairs or consider a new boiler installation if your current system is ageing. Our engineers have more flexibility in their schedules, and you won’t be left without heating during cold weather.
Making the Right Choice for Your Home
The decision to turn your boiler off for the summer ultimately depends on your specific circumstances, including your boiler type, property characteristics, hot water needs, and how often you’re home.
As your local heating experts serving Chesterfield, Sheffield, Derby and beyond, we’re always happy to provide personalised advice based on your particular system and requirements.
Whether you need guidance on summer boiler settings, want to book a summer service to ensure efficiency, or are considering upgrading to a more energy-efficient system before next winter, our team at Alpha Heating is here to help.
Call us today on 01246 558723 for friendly, expert advice on all your summer boiler questions, or to arrange a service appointment with one of our experienced engineers. We’re committed to keeping your home comfortable and your energy bills manageable throughout the year.
