With a sharp cold snap forecast across the UK, personal finance authority Martin Lewis has issued an urgent call to action for households looking to cut their energy costs without sacrificing warmth. Appearing on his ITV show, the founder of MoneySavingExpert.com detailed three crucial measures that could save Britons hundreds of pounds on their annual bills.
The One-Degree Thermostat Challenge
Martin Lewis's first tip targets the thermostat, a common source of energy waste. He urged healthy adults to consider his '1 Degree Challenge', pointing out that the World Health Organisation recommends 18 degrees as a suitable temperature. For those with their thermostats set higher, he advised turning it down by just one degree.
"If you're at 21, try reducing to 20. That could save you around 10% on your heating bill," Lewis explained. He clarified the logic, stating that if your heating kicks in at 15 degrees, heating to 20 instead of 21 represents a significant proportional saving. He also warned against the "panic reaction" of turning the thermostat up high when it feels cold, emphasising that it will not heat the room any faster and will only lead to higher costs.
Employ 'Tactical Curtains' for Free Insulation
The second strategy involves a simple but effective use of window dressings. Lewis coined the term 'tactical curtains' for this method. The rule is straightforward: open curtains when the sun is shining to allow natural light and heat into the house, and close them as soon as it gets dark to create an insulating layer that traps warmth inside.
"I know we all know that, but actually doing it rigorously can help insulate," he noted. For even greater effect, he suggested lining curtains with a cheap fleece material, a cost-effective DIY project with numerous online guides.
The Crucial Combi Boiler Adjustment
The third and potentially most impactful tip concerns a hidden setting on combi boilers: the flow temperature. Lewis stated that many boilers are set inefficiently high, often above the recommended 60 degrees. Turning this down is a "no-brainer" that can save around £100 per year.
"It won't affect the heat of your house, it'll still be the same temperature. It won't affect your hot water temperature, it might take slightly longer to get up to the maximum temperature," he assured viewers. He shared a success story from a viewer named David, who reduced his boiler's flow temperature from 85 to 60 degrees, achieving the same comfort level for a much lower cost. Lewis was emphatic: "Everyone with a combi boiler should be trying this one."
With winter setting in, these three practical steps offer a clear path to substantial savings, putting money back into the pockets of UK households.
