This month will see the clocks fall back and with the nights already drawing in many households may have switched on their central heating system, but they may not be aware just what an integral role radiators play in their lives.
October 1st typically marks the date when many UK households turn on their central heating system to ensure that their house is nice and toasty in time for the winter.
But Tom Geoghegan, writing for BBC News Magazine, said that central heating has only recently received the status of a basic living requirement and that despite being in existence in Greek and Roman times, it was previously largely viewed as a luxury.
Furthermore, the writer states that central heating in the home has had far-reaching consequences on households.
Central heating: A history
Forms of central heating have been discovered that date back to the time of the Greeks - despite the Mediterranean climate - but it was the Romans who created the system which allowed properties and water to be heated, Mr Geoghegan claimed.
Later, in Victorian Britain, households experimented with different ways of heating the home but it was not until 1970 that gas fitter Martyn Jarvis claims he first saw central heating really taking off.
"There was a sense of excitement. It was like getting the first colour television - 'Ooooh, I've got central heating'," he explained.
And with the rise in popularity of central heating, lifestyles also began to change.
Britons are now less likely to put on an extra layer when the temperature drops, while the fireplace is no longer the focal point of a room.
Furthermore, open plan living is more practical as radiators can heat a larger space than a fire, while people are also able to enjoy more time in their bedrooms.
The dawn of energy efficiency
Today, it would appear central heating is changing once again as people become increasingly concerned with their impact on the environment.
"[As] more people [are] aware of energy consumption, many make it a point of principle that their heating stays off until the start of October, which means any nippy late September mornings just have to be endured," said Mr Geoghegan.
But there are ways that central heating can be modernised to increase its energy efficiency and help households achieve cheaper gas bills.
The Energy Saving Trust recommends investing in a condensing gas boiler, turning down the thermostat by one degree and fitting heating controls to make sure heat is not wasted in unoccupied rooms.
By doing this, Britons may be able to ensure that central heating continues to play an integral role in the lives of every household.
