Martin Lewis has settled the debate surrounding whether it is cheaper to leave your heating on low throughout the day or to switch it on only when it is needed. Speaking on ITV's This Morning, the Money Saving Expert offered his guidance to Britons as many begin reaching for their hot water bottles, retrieving their blankets and bracing themselves for the approaching colder months.
What Martin Lewis said
During the programme, the expert explained: "They say it's better to only put the heating on when you need it. You pay to pump energy in as and when is needed, and to keep pumping it in constantly isn't efficient."
"Using a timer's best, because your thermostat is designed to turn your heating on and off to keep your home at the temperature you set it at. So in general I'd stick with that."
When low heating can work
Nevertheless, Martin cautioned that this represents the "simple answer" and the reality can prove somewhat more complex. He continued: "There are some engineers who argue that keeping the heating on low with all the radiators on and the boiler down can work as it reduces condensation, which when the heating is turned off collects within the walls, and can help conduct heat outside the home."
"This means you lose heat more quickly and will use more energy as a result. So if your house is prone to that you may want to think about it."
What MSE Forum users do
The conversation carried on within the MSE Forum, where members discussed their approaches to managing heating in their households. One user commented: "I normally just leave it on stat (set the thermostat and let it sort itself out) so between 15 and 20 while I'm in. I turn it down to 10 when I'm out."
Another user contributed: "I live in a well-insulated new build so heating is on a timer with thermostat on 20C from 6am to 7am and 5pm to 8pm. I generally keep it off completely over the summer."
A third user remarked: "My heating is set to 21C from 07.45 to 23.30 then 18C overnight but sometimes I manually increase the temp to 22.5C in the evening if my wife is feeling chilly. It resets to 21C at 7.45 the next day. It will occasionally produce heat during the night if it is below freezing outside."
Testing what works for you
With numerous factors to take into account, including individuals' working patterns and how effectively insulated their properties are, Martin encourages people to conduct their own experiments and track the effect on their energy costs. This could be achieved over a weekend or two by monitoring energy consumption through your supplier's app or working out how much energy you have consumed and what it has cost from a physical statement.
There are also numerous other approaches to attempt to keep your home warm without depending entirely on your heating system. These include positioning tin foil behind radiators, drawing your curtains to offer an additional layer of insulation, reducing the thermostat marginally and putting down rugs to help retain warmth. Draught-proofing your property can be achieved by sealing gaps in floors and walls using simple gaffer tape, while placing old garments or towels along door bottoms will prevent cold air from entering.
For those residing near wooded areas, collecting firewood might be an alternative - though it is essential to be considerate of preserving natural habitats. A reliable hot water bottle remains a budget-conscious method to maintain warmth while in bed. Should you be fortunate enough to possess a south-facing room that receives abundant sunlight, keeping the door open throughout the day enables warm air to flow freely before shutting it at nightfall to retain the heat.
