Dates released for when to start putting the heating on in your area

As Britain embraces autumn, temperatures are poised to drop and millions of households will shortly confront the yearly dilemma of when to fire up their heating systems. The NHS warns that indoor temperatures dropping below 15C can present health hazards, particularly for elderly or at-risk individuals.

To eliminate the uncertainty, energy specialists at Construction Megastore have examined Met Office statistics (merging past records with present predictions) to determine the official "activation" dates for each major British city. Robert Quinton, an energy, construction and insulation specialist, explained: "The best time to switch your heating on is when temperatures consistently fail to reach 15C during the day, reports Plymouth Live.

"Waiting until it's much colder can risk both your health and your boiler, especially if it hasn't been used since spring. Having a clear 'switch-on' date helps couples and families settle the debate at home, while recognising that insulation levels and micro-climates mean some households may choose to act sooner."

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UK's 'big central heating switch-on' dates

• Glasgow - 23rd September
• Cardiff - 6th October
• Newcastle - 7th October
• Nottingham - 9th October
• Hull - 9th October
• Stoke - 9th October
• Plymouth - 9th October
• Leeds - 10th October
• Edinburgh - 10th October
• Southampton - 10th October
• Sheffield - 11th October
• Bradford - 11th October
• Birmingham - 15th October
• Liverpool - 15th October
• Manchester - 15th October
• Bristol - 19th October
• Leicester - 19th October
• Coventry - 19th October
• London - 20th October

Top tips for keeping heating bills down

Robert said: "One of the simplest and cheapest fixes is sealing up any gaps around windows, doors and skirting boards. A small draft might not seem like much, but across a whole winter, it can waste a huge amount of heat and money. A tube of caulk or some weatherstripping is a very low-cost solution."

Consider dialling down the thermostat a notch or two. He said: "You don't need to have the house tropical. Reducing your thermostat by just one or two degrees can save a household up to 10% on their heating bill without a noticeable change in comfort."

Maximise the use of curtains and blinds. "Heat escapes fastest through glass. Keeping curtains and blinds closed at night is like adding an extra layer of insulation, helping to trap warmth in the room. During the day, open them wide on sunny days to let the natural heat in," he said.

Keep your boiler and radiators in check as well, said Robert. He said: "Regular boiler servicing keeps your system running efficiently and can extend its lifespan. Bleeding radiators is another small job that makes sure every radiator is heating evenly, so you're not wasting energy."

Finally, be smart about how you use your rooms. He said: "If there are parts of your home you rarely use, turn the radiators down in those rooms and close the doors. That way, you're not paying to heat unused space, and the warmth stays where you need it."