Experts at Essential Green Skills say heating your home for just a few evening hours could be one of the most overlooked energy habits this spring
As temperatures begin to rise across the UK, many households are switching their heating off during the day, but still turning it back on in the evening out of habit.
Experts at Essential Green Skills warn that this “in-between season” could be quietly adding hundreds of pounds to annual energy bills, with households often heating entire homes for just a few colder hours each night.
While spring days are becoming milder, evening temperatures can still drop significantly, leading many people to rely on central heating without reconsidering how much energy is actually needed.
The Spring Heating Habit Many Households Haven’t Broken
For many, putting the heating back on in the evening feels like a small, harmless decision. But repeated daily, this pattern can become one of the most expensive energy habits in the home.
Rather than adjusting to seasonal changes, households often continue winter routines without realising the cumulative cost.
The Hidden Cost of Heating Your Whole Home
Heating an entire property for just a few hours each evening can quickly add up.
Running central heating for around 3 hours per night at £1 per hour could exceed £1,000 per year, particularly in larger homes or where multiple rooms are being heated unnecessarily.
A £30 Alternative to a £1,000 Habit
A growing number of households are now adopting a more targeted approach, focusing on heating themselves rather than their homes.
Using a heated blanket, for example, typically uses between 50–150 watts of electricity and costs as little as 3p to 10p per hour to run, depending on the tariff.
Over the course of a year, using a heated blanket for a few hours each evening could cost as little as £30 to £100 annually, offering a significant reduction compared to central heating.
Why Turning Your Heating Up and Down Could Be Costing You More
Specialists at Essential Green Skills say a more efficient approach is to avoid repeatedly turning heating on and off, or constantly adjusting the temperature throughout the evening.
Instead, maintaining a lower, steady background temperature and using targeted warmth where needed can reduce energy spikes and improve overall efficiency.
This approach allows households to stay comfortable while avoiding the higher costs associated with reheating a property multiple times.
A Shift Towards Smarter Energy Use
Catherine Storer, Industry Professional at Essential Site Skills, said:
“This time of year is where we see a lot of unnecessary energy use. People stop using heating during the day, but switch it back on in the evening out of habit rather than need.
It’s not about turning heating off completely, it’s about using it more efficiently. Keeping your heating at a lower, consistent level and then adding targeted warmth where you need it can be far more cost-effective than constantly turning it up and down.
Simple swaps like this can make a noticeable difference over time without affecting comfort.”
Small Changes, Long-Term Impact
The shift reflects a wider change in how people are thinking about energy use, with more households looking for practical ways to reduce costs without major home upgrades.
Combining targeted heating with simple behavioural changes such as closing doors to unused rooms, using draught excluders, and layering clothing, can further reduce reliance on central heating during milder months.
With continued pressure on household budgets, these types of everyday adjustments are expected to play an increasingly important role in managing energy use throughout the year, not just during winter.
