As winter tightens its grip across the UK, a heating expert has issued a crucial warning to households about a common thermostat mistake that could be costing them dearly.
The Thermostat Misconception
Dominic Lees-Bell, a heating specialist at Only Radiators, reveals that most people are using their thermostats incorrectly during the cold snap. He suggests we're "stuck in Victorian times" when it comes to our heating mindset.
"Most people are still in a Victorian mindset and, during cold weather, they crank up the heat," Lees-Bell explained. "While that is a perfectly reasonable course of action, it's not what your thermostat does."
How Your Thermostat Really Works
Contrary to popular belief, your thermostat acts as a limiter rather than an accelerator. It sets minimum and maximum temperature boundaries rather than controlling how quickly your home heats up.
Lees-Bell provides a compelling analogy: "If you're cold and you turn your thermostat up to 30°C in an attempt to make your home hotter, you're essentially saying to your boiler, 'you couldn't reach 20°C, so give 30°C a try' with the rate of heating staying the same."
He compares this to someone being told to run 20 miles, then when they collapse at 10 miles, moving the finish line to 30 miles away instead.
Practical Advice for Winter Heating
The expert encourages households to exercise patience and allow their central heating systems to work properly. More importantly, he highlights the financial impact of thermostat misuse.
"As we go into another winter with the cost of living crisis still predominant, many of us will feel the effect of the increase in energy prices," Lees-Bell noted. "Although there's no hefty solution, maintaining the thermostat at a regular temperature can certainly help cut down on some costs."
The recommended minimum temperature for heating your home is 18°C for fit adults, with anything below 15°C considered dangerously chilly. Maintaining your home between 18°C and 21°C strikes the ideal balance between comfort and efficiency.
Following these guidelines doesn't just benefit your wellbeing – it can also boost your finances by typically slashing up to 15% off your energy bills during the winter months.
