Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has finally settled the debate on the ideal temperature for heating your home. With Britain in the grip of a cold snap, his advice is timely: simply dialling down your thermostat by one degree could make a bigger difference than you might think.
Lewis's mantra of 'heat the human, not the home' is the cornerstone of this cost-cutting strategy. The focus should be on donning warmer clothing, utilising hot water bottles, thermals and electric blankets. According to the Energy Saving Trust, a slight reduction in temperature could save an average household around £90.
For healthy adults, the World Health Organisation recommends 18°C as the optimal temperature, with a slightly higher setting suggested for the elderly or young. One money-saving whizz, Pauline, dropped her thermostat to 18.5°C instead of 20°C, crediting fleece thermal vests for keeping her warm. Others shared tips including heated gilets, heating pads, and heated throws to stay cosy without turning up the heating.
