Is it Fine for My Boiler to Always Be Left On?

There are plenty of appliances that we just use, without ever really thinking about how they work, or messing with their more complex settings. Boilers fall into this category for most people, but at a certain point, you might wonder whether it’s ok to always leave them on. 

In most cases, they can. To provide some further insight into the topic, we put this article together, also looking at leaving central heating on and when you might need to turn the boiler off.

Why Modern Boilers Can Be Left On

Nowadays, most boilers are some type of combi boiler. They provide heated water for both the central heating and hot water from the mains, eliminating the need for two different systems. 

Combi boilers heat water on demand, rather than preheating it and then storing it in a tank somewhere. Essentially, this means that they need to be on whenever you need hot water. 

These boilers usually stay “on” in standby mode and fire up only when the heating system or taps request hot water. Manufacturers build them to remain on continuously, as they heat water only when needed.

Leaving Your Heating On

When it comes to leaving your heating on, this is slightly more complicated. In most cases, you’ll be able to set some kind of thermostat, ensuring your home stays at a constant temperature.

If you’re away from home for a prolonged period of time, for example, while travelling or on a work trip, it can be tempting to turn the heating off to save money. 

In most cases, this is not advisable. When houses get too cold, damp can start to become an issue, leading to mold and other serious problems. It’s better to leave your thermostat set to a low temperature, around 10-13 °C.

When You Should Turn Your Boiler Off

In most cases, the only time you would want to have your boiler totally turned off is when you’re having the heating system worked on or the boiler serviced. In these cases, it’s likely the case that a boiler engineer from somewhere like Able Plumbers would turn it off – you wouldn’t have to do anything.

It’s also possible that you might want to turn the boiler off if there’s a serious fault with the system, and you want to limit any further damage done by the boiler. Of course, only do so if it is safe – if you suspect that there’s a gas leak, try to ventilate the space and call an emergency service as soon as possible. 

In most situations, it’s absolutely ok to leave your combi boiler turned on all the time. It won’t actually work all the time. It fires up quickly when your system demands hot water, then turns off once the demand is met.