Why You Should Keep Heating On in Cold Snap

Why UK households are being warned about turning the heating off

Every winter, many homes in the UK want to spend less on heating. A lot of people just turn the boiler off for a long time to do this. At this time, it is getting colder, and energy prices keep going up. So, people feel they have to save money when they can. But, if you turn your heating off during a very cold period, it can do more harm than you think. Sometimes, switching it off like that can even affect your home insurance.

Insurers usually get more “escape of water” claims in the cold. This is often because pipes burst or freeze. Water damage can be very serious in these cases. You might also see leaks when it’s freezing, boiler breakdowns, or problems with home emergency insurance. A claim for a burst pipe can be expensive. It may cost from £7,000 to over £20,000. The cost depends on how bad the water damage is and what kind of home buildings insurance products you have.

In recent years, the Association of British Insurers has talked about how high winter fuel costs can make life hard for families. The cold means some people feel they need to turn off their heating to save money during the colder months. But this may be a costly mistake. If pipes freeze and burst, it can lead to costly repairs.

Angela Pilley, who is a home insurance expert at the financial information business Defaqto, says you should not turn off your heat when it gets cold. This can damage your home. Louise Clark is the manager of general insurance policy at the Association of British Insurers. She has said the same thing. They both believe looking after your home in winter is the best way to lower the risk. Home insurance helps cover damage, but for most of us, stopping problems before they happen is the best way.

Some insurers now add more rules to the conditions of your insurance policies. These can ask you to keep a minimum heating level, wait at the start of the policy before you get cover, and give proof of a boiler service. You can read all these rules in your insurance policy’s terms. The rules will not always be the same for every provider. The main reason for these rules is to help lower the risk of pipes freezing when the cold snap bites.

This is why winter heating advice is not only about keeping you warm. It is also important for looking after your home emergency cover. Good advice can help stop costly repairs too.

Looking to protect your home this winter?
Compare boiler cover to find the right level of support

What happens to your home during freezing temperatures?

How frozen pipes form

When it gets cold inside and the temperature is below 0°C, water in your pipes can freeze. Frozen water will get bigger and push on the sides and joints of the pipe. The risk of pipes freezing is higher in old homes. It can also happen in lofts, garages, and on pipes that are outside.

When the temperature goes up again, the ice in the pipe melts. This makes water run out from the broken part of the pipe. You may get water damage in places you do not see. It can show up in lofts, under the floor, or inside the walls. If there is serious water damage, you may have to get a replacement boiler. You might also need to use drying equipment and fix the pipes. Sometimes, all of the structure could need to be fixed too.

Why insurers are concerned

Insurers want people to try to stop things that could hurt their homes. If you switch off the heating during cold times, they might say pipe bursts were more likely because of that.

• the temperature in the home got too low
• you did not use frost protection features
• you did not keep the minimal temperature
• you did not make sure there was minimal water flow in the radiators
• you did not get the boiler checked by following the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule
• you did not pay attention to the snowflake symbol frost settings
• you did not take simple precautions

If these things made the problem happen, it could change the amount the insurer gives you. When you use home emergency insurance, there is usually a limit for what it can pay for. There are rules from the insurer’s own provider about home emergency insurance products that you need to know.

Do all insurers require a minimum indoor temperature?

There is not a UK-wide rule for this. A lot of insurance policies give you tips or rules you should follow. Many home emergency insurance policies and home buildings insurance products have things that you need to do. Some of these are clear rules, while others are advice to help you. Most of the time, you will find conditions like this.

Common heating-related requirements in UK home insurance policies

Many Defaqto reports say that only a small proportion of products do not cover older boiler models. Also, some products pay the full cost of a new boiler only if you get it from the insurer’s own provider.

What insurers mean by “reasonable care”

Most home insurance policies ask you to take care of your property. This means you should do things to keep your home safe and protected.

• keeping the minimal temperature in your place
• using frost protection to help
• lowering risks of carbon monoxide by having boilers checked
• doing some basic insulation
• always following the conditions of policies
• making sure the heating is on when it gets cold
• going with the best way to keep risk down

If you make a claim and the insurer sees that you did not follow these steps, you might not get the result you want.

Does turning the heating off always invalidate insurance?

No, not always. Insurance can be hard to understand. It is not simple or clear every time. But, if you turn off your heating when the weather is very cold, you may face the risk of a refused claim if:

• temperatures can drop too low
• pipes may freeze
• the boiler can stop working
• you might not be at home for several days
• the policy says you should keep the minimum heating levels
• you did not follow what your insurer told you

Even if the insurance company pays your claim, they may give you less money. This can happen if they think the damage could have been stopped.

This is why many people who know about this say you should not turn the heating off in colder months. This matters most when a cold snap bites.

See how different policies stack up when you compare boiler cover through our simple tool.

What temperature should I keep my heating on during a cold snap?

Industry guidance suggests:

Recommended indoor temperatures during cold weather

The cost to keep a minimal temperature in your place is not high. You will pay much less for this than for a big insurance claim later. It is better to spend a small amount now to keep a very minimal temperature. This way, you do not risk a high cost if something goes wrong. Keeping the temperature at this level makes your place safer and helps you save money.

Compare Boiler cover quotes

• Boiler cover from only £6.99 a month
• We provide nationwide coverage
• 1 month Free

Compare Quotes

The role of boiler cover during cold snaps

Boiler cover is good to have when you want to take care of your heating system. Your boiler works hard, especially in winter. There, it stays on for longer and takes more stress. So, the chance of boiler breakdowns goes up at that time. Many home emergency cover plans also give you some extra help:

• you can get emergency callouts
• we also do repairs to the heating system
• every year, we give your boiler a service
• if you need a replacement boiler, we help with the cost
• some things are not covered, and it depends on the power output of the boiler
• you have to wait a minimum period before you can make a claim
• when you start your policy, there is an exclusion period. the most common exclusion period is around 14 days

Financial information firm Defaqto says you need proof of a boiler service for most products. The firm also says some boilers have age limits. There are upper limits on how much people can get for boiler repair costs. The boiler service proof, upper limits, and age limits are common with these products.

It is good to look at different plans next to each other. The best way is to compare boiler cover. You can see if they offer frost protection, emergency help, and other service choices.

Are you looking to keep your home safe this winter? A good way is to check out boiler cover. See which one is best for you and what you need.

What happens if you’re away from home during a cold snap?

If you leave your home empty, even for a few days, your insurer may want you to follow some rules. They could also let you know what you need to do while you are not at home.

• The heating is on a low setting.
• Frost protection mode is on to keep it safe.
• The radiators show the snowflake symbol.
• The water supply gets turned off if people will be away from the house for a long time.
• The carbon monoxide alarms work right and are well kept.
• Someone looks over the property now and then.

If you do not follow these steps, it can be hard to get help when you make claims for burst pipes or frozen pipes.

See how each boiler cover plan stacks up. Our easy tool lets you look at them side by side. This way, you can find the one that fits your needs.

Cost of burst pipe damage in the UK

Burst pipes can cause many problems for people in the UK. When water pipes break, they can make a lot of mess and damage in the home. This can lead to big repair bills. Many UK insurance claims are for things that happen after burst pipes. It is a common thing that makes people need to use their insurance.

Estimated costs associated with burst pipes

These numbers show why people should take simple precautions. When you take these steps, you stay safe. It also helps the insurers by lowering their risk. That is why simple precautions are important.

How to protect your heating without running up bills

Use frost protection or smart thermostat settings

Most boilers have a frost-protection setting. In this mode, the heating will turn on at a very minimal temperature. This helps to stop the pipes from freezing.

Heat only essential rooms

Use radiator valves when you only want a small amount of water to pass through. This helps keep things just the way you need.

Insulate your home

Pipe lagging, loft insulation, and draught-proofing can help a lot in your home. These things keep heat inside and stop cold air from getting in. Many people notice they pay less for heating after they use them. You will probably feel warmer at home, too. Doing this is a good way to feel comfortable and save money. A home with these upgrades is good for all of us.

Service your boiler annually

This helps stop breakdowns. It also meets what many insurers ask for. Most standard boiler plans need this.

Do you want to feel calm when it’s cold outside? You can look at and match different boiler cover options. It takes just a minute to do this.

Want peace of mind during cold snaps?
It only takes a minute to compare boiler cover and check your options.

Do landlords have specific minimum heating requirements for rental property insurance?

Yes. Rental homes usually have some extra rules. This is because landlords need to look after the people living in the home. They also want to keep the property safe from any damage. Many insurance policies for landlords include the things below:

• There are rules that say how warm your home must be in the colder months.
• A home has to have something in place to stop frost.
• People need to know the rules for checks when a place is not being used.
• A boiler has to be within age and power output limits.
• You have to follow all the rules about home emergency insurance policies and insurance policies.
• You need to do boiler servicing by following the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule.

If a tenant turns off the heating, the landlord can still have problems because of insurance policies. That’s why many landlords tell people how to use the heating in their agreement. This can help avoid a costly mistake during winter.

Where can I find my insurance provider’s minimum heating requirement details?

You can find this information in one or more of these documents:

• Policy wording – you can read about “Escape of Water”, “Winter Heating”, or “Unoccupied Property” in this part.
• Insurance schedule – this lists all upper limits and rules, like for exclusion period.
• Home emergency cover documents – these talk about boiler servicing and frost settings.
• Home buildings insurance products guide – in colder months, this tells you and us what to do.
• Renewal letters – from time to time, these say what the new winter heating rules are.
• Key Facts or Summary document – this shows the best way to lower risk.

If you feel unsure, it is worth checking with your insurer. Call them, especially when it is cold outside.

Correct as of 18 November 2025

FAQs about keeping the heating on during a cold snap and insurance risk