At a glance
It’s recommended you turn your boiler off if you’re away during summer to save energy.
During winter holidays, keep your boiler on at a low or frost-protection setting to prevent pipes from freezing.
To turn off the water supply, you’ll need to locate your stopcock.
Get your boiler serviced annually to help put your mind at rest on holiday.
Should I turn off my boiler before going away?
Whether you should turn off your boiler or not largely depends on when you’re going on holiday.
Holidaying in summer
If you’re going away in summer, when the weather is warm, it’s generally recommended to turn off your boiler completely to save energy.
However, if you’re concerned about damp or have a particularly cold house, you might prefer to keep the boiler ticking over on a low setting.
Holidaying in winter
If you’re going away over Christmas or during the winter months, it’s recommended you leave the boiler on to prevent the pipes from freezing.
Activate the ‘holiday’ or ‘frost protection’ mode on your thermostat or set it to a low temperature (for example 10-12°C) so the heating comes on when it drops below a certain level.
If you have a smart thermostat, you could set your heating to come on just before you get back home so the rooms are warm and toasty upon your return.
Should I turn off my hot water when going on holiday?
Just like your boiler, if you’re going on holiday during the summer, it’s worth turning off your hot water, especially for longer trips. There’s no point paying for it when you’re not at home.
In colder weather, if the heating is off and the water is left on, there’s a greater risk of a leak or burst pipe.
Water leaks are one of the most common domestic disasters holidaymakers return to and can cause a flood if they’re left unattended for a few days. That’s why it can make sense to keep your heating on at a low level if you’re holidaying in winter.
What causes burst pipes?
Common causes of burst pipes include:
Poorly connected dishwashers and washing machines
Clogged, old or weak pipes
Temperature changes that cause pipes to swell and shrink
Bath, shower or toilet leaks
Storage tanks in the loft.
The risk of water damage in our homes is higher than ever due to:
More plumbed-in domestic appliances
More central heating
More en-suite bathrooms and toilets in homes
Complex plumbing systems
Use of less water-resistant materials, such as chipboard.
A plumbing emergency is a nightmare at the best of times, but can become a real catastrophe if you’re not at home.
How do I turn my water off before I go on holiday?
Follow these simple steps to turn off your water supply:
1. Locate your stopcock
The internal stopcock isn’t always in an obvious spot, especially in older properties. The most common places to find it are:
Under the sink
Downstairs toilet
Cellar
Utility room or garage
Under the stairs
Near the front door.
The stopcock is a tap or lever that acts as a connector, blocking the water flow in your pipes when it’s turned off.
2. Turn off the stopcock
Once you’ve found the stopcock, turn the valve clockwise. If it hasn’t been turned off for a while, it may stick. If it does, apply a lubricant like WD40 to loosen it up.
Turn the valve until you start to feel resistance. Don’t use excessive force or you could damage the valve.
3. Run your taps
Finally, run your kitchen and bathroom taps to make sure the water supply really has been turned off.
It might take a few minutes for the water to stop running, as there will be some water left in the pipes. Once it stops, you know you’ve successfully shut off the water supply.
How do I turn the water back on again?
Once you’re back from holiday, simply turn the valve anti-clockwise. It might take a few minutes for your taps to start flowing again, and there may be a bit of spluttering as air locks in the pipes are released.
Top tip
If you’ve been away for a couple of weeks or more, run your drinking water taps for a while to get rid of any stale water left in the pipes.
Water quality deteriorates when left in the pipes for a long time. It might taste and smell a bit musty, and in extreme cases, the build-up of bacteria could also make you ill.
Is it dangerous to leave a boiler on when you go on holiday?
Many people worry about leaving their boiler on when no one is home. But the chances of coming back to a damaged property are low.
Modern boilers have built-in safety features to guard against damage and will automatically shut down if a serious issue is detected. However, the risks do increase with older units.
To help put your mind at rest, make sure you have your boiler serviced by a Gas Safe-registered engineer every year. This gives you added reassurance that it’s been thoroughly checked for problems and your system is functioning properly.
Hopefully, you can enjoy your holiday in peace without constantly worrying about what’s happening back at home.
FAQs
Should I turn off appliances when I go on holiday?
Yes, it’s worth unplugging kitchen gadgets and electrical appliances when you go away on holiday.
Even when they’re switched off, devices like TVs, microwaves, chargers and lamps can consume electricity while they’re plugged in. This is called ‘vampire energy’.
Not only will this add to your energy bill, but it can be a fire risk in an empty house.
What should I leave turned on when I go on holiday?
Here are the devices and appliances you shouldn’t turn off:
Fridge/freezer – leave this running so you don’t come home to rotten food and a defrosted freezer. If the fridge is pretty much empty, filling it with bottles of water will help it run more efficiently.
Security systems – check that your alarm, sensors, and security lighting are working properly before you leave. If you have a smart home security system you can keep an eye on things from a distance.
Automatic timers – you can program these to switch lights on and off to give the impression there’s someone at home.
TV recorder box – don’t miss scheduled recordings of your favourite shows.
What can I do to get early warnings of leaks?
Installing smart devices can give you early warnings about leaks by sending alerts to your phone. These have sensors that can detect moisture near pipes and appliances, monitor your water usage or check humidity levels.
This can help put your mind at rest while you’re on holiday.
Over the past decade, Kate has worked in various industries, including company secretarial, small business support and property investing.
Her move to financial services in 2022 not only helped her find her niche in personal finance writing, but also just how alienating finance can be. She’s now motivated by making everyday money a piece of cake for everyone, helping her readers feel informed and in control.
Kate now specialises in savings and current accounts as well as broadband, mobile and energy products.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
Dan is focused on helping people and businesses get the right deal for their energy in a volatile market. For more than 20 years, he has been introducing, developing and managing product propositions across a variety of industries, including energy, insurance and banking, all to get the right outcome for customers.
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