With a cold snap and potential snowfall forecast for Britain, financial guru Martin Lewis has issued urgent advice to help households dramatically reduce their heating costs.
The founder of Money Saving Expert presented his essential guidance on his ITV show, confirming the tips are current and effective for the winter of 2026.
The Crucial One-Degree Thermostat Challenge
Lewis challenged viewers to reconsider their room temperature settings. He highlighted that the World Health Organisation recommends 18 degrees Celsius as adequate for healthy adults.
"Take my 1 degree challenge," he urged. "If you're at 21 degrees, try reducing to 20. That could save you around 10% on your heating bill."
He also warned against a common panic reaction when feeling cold: turning the thermostat up high to heat the home faster. Lewis clarified that a thermostat dictates the target temperature, not the speed of heating, and cranking it up only leads to higher bills.
Employ 'Tactical Curtains' to Trap Heat
Another simple yet effective tip involves making better use of existing curtains. Lewis coined the term 'tactical curtains' to describe a rigorous routine of opening them during sunny daylight hours to let warmth in, and closing them as soon as it gets dark to act as insulation.
He suggested that lining curtains with a cheap fleece material, following online DIY guides, can enhance this effect and further prevent heat loss at virtually no cost.
The £100 Boiler Setting 'No-Brainer'
The most significant potential saving, however, comes from a technical adjustment many can make themselves. Lewis focused on a boiler's 'flow temperature' – the temperature of the water it sends to your radiators.
He explained that while the ideal setting is around 60 degrees Celsius, most combi boilers are set much higher, often at 75 or 80 degrees, which is highly inefficient.
"You can turn this down," Lewis stated. "It won't affect the heat of your house... but it can cut £100 a year off your bill. It is well worth everyone doing."
He shared a success story from a viewer named David, who reduced his boiler's flow temperature from 85 to 60 degrees, finding it worked just as well while saving money. Lewis branded the adjustment an "absolute no-brainer" for all combi boiler owners.
By adopting these three strategies – the thermostat challenge, using curtains tactically, and lowering the boiler flow temperature – households can take immediate control of their energy consumption as winter tightens its grip.
