With winter tightening its grip and energy costs a persistent concern for households across the UK, a leading heating expert has unveiled a surprisingly simple strategy to significantly reduce heating bills. The key lies not just in the temperature you set, but crucially in when you choose to have your heating on.
The 7.30am Heating Rule Explained
John Klee, a heating and technology specialist at appliance provider BestHeating, advises households to be strategic by aligning heating use with the natural daylight cycle. "When it is only 2C outside you will want the heating on all day, but if it’s around 10C, target the morning and evening when the sun isn’t out to feel true effects," Mr Klee explained.
He highlights that with the sun currently rising at around 7.30am and setting near 4pm, these are the key times to focus your heating efforts. This targeted approach prevents wasting energy by heating an empty house during the middle of the day when solar gain can provide some natural warmth. The good news is that the shortest day of the year, the Winter Solstice on Sunday, December 21, is less than a month away, after which daylight hours will gradually begin to increase again.
Substantial Savings from Timers and Temperature
According to the expert, one of the most effective ways to cut costs is by using a timer to drastically reduce the number of hours your heating is active. By cutting usage from 12 hours to just 6 hours per day, you could save up to £150.
Another simple yet often overlooked adjustment involves your thermostat. Mr Klee points out that many Brits set their heating too high. "Too many of us set the heating to 20C or more, but 18C should be comfortable enough. Turn the thermostat down by one degree centigrade to see how you feel and by doing this you can save around £80 or up to 10 percent on a gas bill," he advised.
Maximising Radiator Efficiency for Further Gains
Beyond timing and temperature, ensuring your radiators are working efficiently can lead to more savings. The expert strongly recommends bleeding your radiators to release trapped air, which improves hot water circulation and heating performance.
"Check for cold spots at the top of a radiator to allow hot water to circulate freely which can lower bills by around £130 a year," Mr Klee said. He also warned against a common household mistake: placing large furniture like sofas or armchairs directly in front of radiators. This blocks the flow of warm air, making the room feel colder and forcing your boiler to work harder, thereby increasing costs. He suggests leaving a clearance of at least 20cm for better heat distribution.
This advice arrives as a recent survey from BestHeating found that 32 per cent of UK households have disagreements about when to turn the heating on, highlighting the financial and social pressure that rising energy costs can create.
