Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has revealed a surprisingly simple radiator trick that could help households across the UK combat soaring energy bills this winter.
The financial guru, known for his practical money-saving advice, shared this clever heating hack during a recent segment, explaining how a small adjustment to your radiators could lead to significant savings without making your home feel colder.
The Simple Adjustment That Makes All The Difference
According to Lewis, many households are wasting money by heating rooms that don't need to be warm. "If you've got radiators in rooms you're not using, turn them off," he advised. "There's no point heating an empty spare bedroom or a storage room when you could be directing that heat to where you actually spend time."
This straightforward approach allows your boiler to work more efficiently by focusing heat only on occupied spaces, potentially reducing your energy consumption and costs substantially.
Understanding Your Radiator Controls
Most modern radiators feature thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) - those numbered dials typically found on the side. Lewis explains how to use them effectively:
- Setting 3: Ideal for living rooms and frequently used spaces
- Setting 2: Perfect for bedrooms where you prefer cooler temperatures
- Setting 1: Suitable for hallways and minimally used areas
- The snowflake symbol: Frost protection setting for unused rooms
- Fully off: Completely turns off heat to that radiator
Maximising Your Heating Efficiency
Lewis emphasises that this approach works best when combined with other energy-saving practices:
"Make sure your boiler flow temperature is set correctly - many are set too high. Around 60°C for heating is often sufficient rather than the 70-80°C many systems default to."
He also recommends bleeding radiators regularly to ensure they're working efficiently and using reflective panels behind radiators on external walls to direct heat back into the room.
Substantial Savings Potential
While exact savings depend on your home size and heating habits, Lewis suggests that properly managing radiator usage could reduce heating costs by 10-20% for many households.
"In the current energy climate, every pound saved matters," Lewis noted. "This isn't about being cold - it's about being smart with the heat you're paying for."
With energy prices remaining significantly higher than pre-crisis levels, implementing this simple radiator strategy could provide welcome relief to household budgets during the colder months.
