Posted on: 9 September 2026
The days might still feel relatively mild, but there’s definitely a change in the air.
Mornings are getting cooler, there’s a chill creeping in during the evenings, and you may already have found yourself wondering: is it too early to turn the heating back on?
The simple answer is no.
There’s no official date when you should switch your heating on. If your home is starting to feel uncomfortable, there’s nothing wrong with using it – even if you’re only putting it on for a short period first thing in the morning or later in the evening.
In fact, now is a good time to test your heating before the colder weather really arrives.
Is September Too Early to Turn the Heating On?
Not necessarily.
Northern Ireland weather doesn’t follow the calendar, and the temperature inside your home matters more than the date.
At this time of year, you might find that your home is perfectly comfortable during the middle of the day but noticeably cooler when you wake up or later in the evening.
Rather than heating your home continuously, you can use your programmer, thermostat or smart heating controls to provide a little heat when you actually need it.
When Should You Turn Your Heating On?
There’s no single outdoor temperature at which everyone needs to turn their heating on.
It depends on factors including:
- How well insulated your home is
- The age and construction of your property
- How much sunlight your home receives
- Who lives in the property
- Your personal comfort level
- How quickly your home loses heat
Two neighbouring homes can feel very different at exactly the same outdoor temperature.
The important thing is to keep your home at a comfortable temperature rather than waiting for a particular date before allowing yourself to use the heating.
Should I Put the Heating On for an Hour in the Morning?
If mornings are starting to feel chilly, using your heating for a short period can make the house much more comfortable.
Rather than switching the heating on manually every morning, consider using your heating controls to schedule it around your routine.
For example, you could set your heating to come on before you get up and switch off again once everyone has left for work or school.
You can do the same in the evening rather than heating the property unnecessarily throughout the day.
What Temperature Should I Set My Thermostat To?
For many households, somewhere around 18–21°C provides a comfortable indoor temperature.
However, there’s no perfect setting for everyone.
Older people, young children and people with certain health conditions may need their home to be warmer.
Your thermostat should ultimately be set at a temperature that’s comfortable and appropriate for the people living in your home.
It’s also worth remembering that turning the thermostat much higher won’t make your home heat up faster – it simply tells your heating system to continue heating until it reaches that higher temperature.
Why You Should Test Your Heating Now
Even if you’re not ready to start using your heating every day, now is a great time to switch it on and make sure everything is working properly.
Your heating system may have had relatively little use over the summer.
Finding a problem now is much better than discovering it on the first genuinely cold morning of autumn.
Turn your heating on and give it enough time to run, then check that:
- Your boiler starts normally
- There are no warning lights or error codes
- Your thermostat is communicating with the boiler
- Your radiators are heating up
- There are no unusual noises
- There are no visible leaks
- Your boiler pressure appears normal
If something doesn’t seem right, you have time to investigate before you’re relying on your heating every day.
Radiators Not Heating Properly?
After turning your heating back on, walk around your home and check your radiators.
If a radiator is cold at the top but warm at the bottom, there may be trapped air inside and it could need bleeding.
If you have cold areas elsewhere on the radiator, there may be another issue within the heating system that needs investigating.
You should also check that thermostatic radiator valves haven’t been turned down or switched off during the summer.
Check Your Boiler Pressure
It’s also worth taking a quick look at your boiler pressure when you start using your heating again.
The correct pressure varies depending on the boiler, so check the manufacturer’s instructions if you’re unsure.
If the pressure is too low, your boiler may not operate correctly.
Having to top the pressure up once doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a major problem. However, if your boiler repeatedly loses pressure, it’s worth having the cause investigated rather than continually topping it up.
What If My Heating Won’t Come On?
Don’t panic immediately if nothing happens when you turn the heating on for the first time.
There are a few simple things you can check:
- Is the thermostat turned up sufficiently?
- Are the thermostat batteries working?
- Is your programmer set correctly?
- Is the boiler showing an error code?
- Is the boiler pressure within its recommended range?
- Has the heating been switched off at the boiler?
If you’ve checked the basics and your heating still isn’t working, it may be time to contact solv.
Listen for Unusual Noises
You know what your heating system normally sounds like.
If you notice banging, knocking, gurgling or other unusual noises when you turn it back on, don’t simply ignore them.
Some noises have relatively simple causes, while others can indicate an issue that needs professional attention.
Getting it checked now could help prevent a minor problem becoming much more inconvenient when temperatures fall further.
When Was Your Boiler Last Serviced?
The beginning of autumn is also a useful time to check when your boiler was last serviced.
Regular servicing can help ensure your boiler is operating safely and correctly while giving your engineer an opportunity to identify potential problems.
If you can’t remember when yours was last checked, now is a good time to find out – before your boiler enters its busiest period of the year.
Is Your Boiler Ready for Another Winter?
Testing your heating may also highlight that your boiler isn’t performing as well as it once did.
Perhaps it’s becoming unreliable, taking longer to heat your home, regularly displaying faults or needing increasingly frequent repairs.
That doesn’t automatically mean it needs replacing, but if your boiler is ageing and you’ve already been considering an upgrade, autumn is a sensible time to explore your options before winter.
At solv, you can use our online boiler quotation tool to answer a few questions about your property and existing heating system and explore suitable replacement options.
Don’t Wait for the First Really Cold Day
You don’t have to wait until you’re reaching for your winter coat indoors before turning your heating on.
If you’re starting to notice the chill in the mornings and evenings, use your heating when you need it.
More importantly, give your heating system a test run now while the weather is still relatively mild.
Check your boiler, radiators, thermostat and controls and make sure everything is responding as expected.
That way, when the colder weather does arrive, you’ll know your heating is ready for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I turn my heating on in autumn?
There’s no official date. If your home is becoming uncomfortably cool, it’s reasonable to use your heating. Many households initially only need it for short periods in the morning and evening.
Is September too early to put the heating on?
No. Northern Ireland can experience cool mornings and evenings during September even when daytime temperatures remain mild.
Should I test my heating before winter?
Yes. Running your heating before you need it regularly gives you an opportunity to identify problems with your boiler, radiators, thermostat or controls before colder weather arrives.
What temperature should my thermostat be set to?
For many households, around 18–21°C can provide a comfortable indoor temperature, although individual needs vary.
Why won’t my heating come on after summer?
Check your thermostat, batteries, programmer, boiler pressure and whether the boiler is displaying an error code. If everything appears correctly set but your heating still won’t operate, contact a heating engineer.
Should I service my boiler before winter?
Annual boiler servicing is recommended, and autumn can be a convenient time to arrange it before your heating system enters its busiest period.