As a bitter cold snap tightens its grip on Britain, financial guru Martin Lewis has issued timely guidance that could help households stay warm without burning a hole in their wallets. The founder of Money Saving Expert has clarified the long-running debate over the ideal temperature for heating your home, offering practical tips that could lead to significant savings.
The Power of One Degree
The cornerstone of Martin Lewis's strategy is a remarkably simple adjustment: turning down your thermostat. According to the Energy Saving Trust, reducing your heating by just one degree Celsius could save an average household approximately £90 on annual energy bills. Many Britons habitually set their thermostats in the low 20s, but Lewis suggests that dialling it down, for instance from 21°C to 20°C, can make a substantial difference over time without sacrificing comfort.
Heat the Human, Not the Home
Lewis champions a cost-cutting mantra of 'heat the human, not the home'. This approach shifts the focus from warming entire rooms to keeping individuals cosy through personal measures. The advice encourages people to layer up with warmer clothing, make use of hot water bottles, wear thermals, and invest in electric blankets or heated throws.
This philosophy is backed by real-world success stories from savers. Pauline, a money-saving enthusiast, explained how dropping her daytime thermostat to 18.5°C, coupled with investing in high-quality fleece thermal vests and leggings, has been a "game-changer" for her warmth and bills. Similarly, Louise shared how a rechargeable heated gilet, originally bought for lockdowns, now keeps her core warm during the day at a fraction of the cost of central heating.
What is the Optimal Temperature?
For healthy adults, the World Health Organisation recommends 18°C as a suitable indoor temperature. Slightly higher settings are advised for the very young, elderly, or those with certain health conditions. Embracing this lower baseline can be key to achieving lower energy costs.
The search for nighttime warmth has also inspired clever solutions. One budget-watcher swears by a heating pad in bed to warm cold feet, avoiding the need to get up and fill a hot water bottle in an unheated house. Another advocate simply stated: "I swear by heated throws! I rarely use my central heating, and find I can do without when I'm under one of these."
Ultimately, Martin Lewis's guidance underscores that combating high heating bills this winter may not require grand gestures but rather small, consistent changes. Experimenting with lower thermostat settings and adopting personal heating solutions can lead to a cosier home and far more manageable energy statements.
