Should I turn off my boiler in the summer?

The short answer is: it depends on your home and your circumstances.

 

If you have a modern, efficient combi-boiler, which provides heating to your home and hot water to your taps and shower, you’ll most likely still need to keep your boiler on all year round.

 

Many boilers have the option to keep the hot water on and the central heating off, which is useful for summer when you probably won’t need to have your radiators on for the most part. This option might be available on your digital display (if you have one) or as a dial or knob. If your boiler shows icons, hot water is usually depicted by an image of a tap, and heating by an image of a radiator. Set your boiler to just the tap icon if you don’t need your central heating on.

 

Read more about why you'll need to keep your boiler active during summer here or watch the video below.

Related FAQs

What should my boiler pressure be set at?

A safe level for your boiler pressure should be between 1.0 and 2.0 bar. Watch this video to learn how. 

Should I turn off my boiler in the summer?

In Summer, you might be tempted to switch off your boiler to save money. However, this can be inefficient and expensive. Instead, you should consider setting your boiler to only heat your water.

What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a Government grant of £7,500 to support with the upfront costs of installing low carbon heating systems, such as an air source heat pump, subject to eligibility. A temporary uplift of £1,500 was also introduced in July 2026 to provide additional support for off-grid property owners.

Does my boiler filter need cleaning?

Your filter should be cleaned during your boiler’s annual service. This will prevent sludge building up in your system. Some filters come with an app that can warn you when they filter needs to be cleaned, so that you can arrange for your installer to visit before it gets too full.

What is central heating sludge?

Central heating sludge is a substance that builds up in central heating pipes as a result of rusted and dissolved metal settling in the system.

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