Is it best to leave Gas Central Heating on a permanent low setting or on timer

[MOLITTLE]

Is it better to leave Gas Central heating on a permanent low setting or use my timer which allows the heating to come on and go off twice in one day.

Also if you go away for a couple of weeks should you leave it on a permanent low setting incase pipes freeze. If so what setting should you select.

[pips1]

I've thought this myself many times but I don't think there is a right answer to be honest. My heating engineer once said it was cheaper to leave it on low all the time but the trouble with that is it gets too hot for me when the weather is mild, even though it is on a low setting. I live in a 3 storey house and as you know heat rises so I find the bedrooms are too hot. If it was consistently cold in our winters it would be fine but it keeps changing and on mild days I feel suffocated. Sorry I can't be of more help!! As for holidays, I would be scared to leave it on as my pilot light sometimes goes out.