What is the 30 minute heating rule?

The 30 minute heating rule is a general guideline suggesting you set your boiler to come on around 30 minutes before you need your home to be warm, then turn it off 30 minutes before you leave or go to bed.

The idea is that your home retains heat for a while after the boiler stops, so you are not paying to heat an empty or sleeping house. It is a straightforward way to avoid wasting energy without sacrificing comfort.

How effective this is depends on your home’s insulation, the size of your radiators, and the outdoor temperature. Well-insulated homes hold heat longer, while poorly insulated properties may need more lead time in winter