Financial guru Martin Lewis's Money Saving Expert (MSE) team has issued a simple yet effective plea to UK households: perform a quick 9am check to prevent cash from literally evaporating through your radiators.
The Crucial 9am Heating Check
The experts advise that if you are leaving a room unoccupied, you should immediately turn down the radiator. The key is not to switch it off completely, but to simply reduce the dial by a notch or two. This small action can lead to significant savings on your annual energy bills.
In its latest advice, MSE stated: "Make sure you control which rooms you heat, so you're not wasting cash heating empty rooms." The recommendation is to do a quick walk around your home, adjusting the radiators in spaces you don't intend to use.
For those commuting to an office, performing this check before the typical 9am start time means you won't be pointlessly heating your bedroom all day. Even if you work from home, the same principle applies; consider layering up with warmer clothing if your desk is in a seldom-used room to save money while staying comfortable.
Smart Valves and Important Warnings
According to Smart Energy GB, this practice could save you approximately £40 a year by turning radiator valves down to the midway point in unused rooms.
MSE highlights the usefulness of thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs). These devices allow you to control the temperature in each room individually. When a room reaches the desired temperature set on the valve, it automatically reduces or stops the flow of hot water to that radiator. This means your boiler can continue heating other rooms but will consume less energy overall.
By installing these valves and using them in conjunction with your main thermostat, you can manage your heating on a room-by-room basis, potentially saving around £40 annually. However, MSE cautions that there is an upfront cost, with the valves themselves costing roughly £10 each, plus any installation fees.
The team also issued important warnings. They advise to "be aware that in some homes, colder rooms could lead to more condensation, which can increase the risk of mould." Additionally, they note that fridges and freezers may not function correctly if room temperatures drop too low, typically below 10°C.
Most TRVs have a frost prevention setting, often marked with a snowflake symbol, which allows a small amount of hot water through to prevent pipes from freezing even when the valve is off. If your radiators lack TRVs, you should avoid turning them off completely in very cold weather to prevent burst pipes.
Busting a Common Radiator Myth
For those considering painting their radiators black in an attempt to retain more heat, the financial experts have clear advice: don't bother. MSE concludes that "according to the Energy Saving Trust, this is simply a myth and not worth the time, money, or paint."
This straightforward guidance from Martin Lewis's team offers a practical way for consumers to take control of their energy spending during a time when every penny saved makes a difference.
