How to set a timer on a boiler.
Learn how to manage your boiler programme for more control over your home heating.
Setting a boiler timer.
Your boiler timer controls when your regular or system boiler turns on and off in order to provide hot water and central heating. Depending on the age of your boiler, it will have one of two heating controls built in.
Modern boilers have electronic digital boiler timers, whilst older boilers may have a mechanical timer that needs to be set manually using a dial.
Benefits of setting a boiler timer.
Take control of your energy use by tailoring your heating and hot water to fit your lifestyle.
Better efficiency around the home.
Scheduling a timer allows you to be more energy efficient at home, ensuring you have a cosy home when you need it, and saving you energy when you’re out and about.
Prepare for your upcoming holiday.
Going on holiday? Simply turn down the temperature or choose the frost setting to avoid wasting energy whilst you’re away, helping you save on your energy bills.
Adapt to your lifestyle.
For even smarter home heating, try getting a smart thermostat. It can adapt precisely to your lifestyle, knowing when the house is empty and turning the heating off for you automatically.
How to set a timer on a boiler?
There are two options when it comes to setting your boiler, depending on whether you have a digital or mechanical timer. Let's take a look:
Set a digital boiler timer.
Digital timers vary with each boiler model, but they follow the same basic principles for use. Our instructions are for the Greenstar Comfort Control range, but should be similar to most modern boilers.
Enter the main menu, selecting the ‘Time programme’ option within ‘Heating’ or ‘Hot water’.
Select which days of the week you want to programme. You can set different timers on different days - such as for weekdays and weekends.
Set the on and off time in the menu and confirm. You may have the option to do this two or three times for a more precise schedule.
Press the ‘Select’ button on the control panel to toggle between the different programmes until you reach the ‘Auto’ option.
Set a mechanical boiler timer.
Mechanical timers need to be set by hand using the dial, which usually has a 24 hour clock surrounded by pins to mark each 15 minutes.
Adjust the clock using the central dial to match the current time.
Switch in the pins for when you want your boiler to be on - make sure they are switched in to match the entire duration you want it running.
Change your boiler setting to its timer option to start the programme.
What do the different boiler timer settings mean?
You may have noticed several different settings on your boiler timer. Let's explore your options and what they mean:
On/24hrs - Your central heating is on and will remain on until you change it.
Off - Your central heating is off and will remain off until you change it.
All day/Once - Set an ‘on’ and ‘off’ time. Your heating will turn on when specified and remain on until scheduled to turn ‘off’.
Auto/Twice - Your heating will turn on and off at multiple scheduled times within 24 hours (e.g in the morning and again in the evening).
Advance - This will begin the next scheduled on/off programme immediately, or end the current one.
Boost/+1hr - Your central heating or hot water will come on for an hour, without affecting any other programming.
Frequently asked questions about boiler timers.
Do you need to set a timer on a combi boiler?
Combi boilers don’t need you to set a timer for your hot water, as they heat it on demand already. However, your boiler is still programmable to manage when your central heating comes on.
To learn how to set a central heating timer on a combi boiler, check if it has digital or mechanical heating controls and follow the instructions above.
Why is my boiler on when the timer is off?
If you notice your boiler is still on after your timer has finished it may be because you have a combi boiler. As combis heat water on demand they will turn on whenever you use your hot water, even outside of your programmed schedule. Some combi boilers also have a small reservoir of preheated water to reduce the delay when you turn on your taps - to keep this hot they may turn on briefly throughout the day.
If you do not have a combi, or notice your boiler is turning on for prolonged periods when you are not running hot water, you may have a fault with your boiler. Get a professional heating engineer to check your boiler system. If you have Homeserve boiler cover they will cover boiler repairs, including the heating controls.
How to set a timer on a boiler for heating?
On a digital display, setting a boiler timer can be done for both your heating and hot water. They are each programmed the same way, so simply choose which you would like to set up in the menu before you start.
If you have a mechanical timer (with a clock dial) you cannot set separate schedules for them - instead ensure you switch the pins in for any time you want either your heating or hot water to be on.
Can I change the temperature when I set my central heating timer?
Your central heating controls include the programmer on your boiler along with your room thermostat. Generally, you cannot adjust your home's temperature through the heating timer on your boiler's programmer. Instead, to change the temperature of your central heating, you will need to use your thermostat, which determines how warm your home will be when the heating is on.
If you would like the convenience of having your boiler controls all in one place, you may benefit from a smart thermostat. Manage your home heating with precision even when you're on the go, simply download the companion app for your thermostat and enjoy a smarter home heating system. Find out if a smart thermostat could be right for you.
How to set a timer on a Worcester Bosch boiler?
If you have installed, or are interested in installing, a new energy efficient Worcester Bosch Greenstar boiler from our range you can use its built-in display to manage your energy use for even more efficient home heating.
To set your Worcester Bosch timer, simply follow the instructions above for a digital timer or you can check the instruction manual for your boiler model.