As Britain braces for a cold snap and potential snowfall, financial guru Martin Lewis has issued urgent advice to help households dramatically reduce their heating expenditure. On his ITV show, the founder of MoneySavingExpert.com outlined three crucial, actionable strategies that remain highly relevant for cutting energy costs this winter.
The One-Degree Thermostat Challenge
Lewis challenged viewers to reconsider their thermostat settings, a move he says can lead to substantial savings. He recommends healthy adults try setting their thermostat to 18°C, as advised by the World Health Organisation. For those with it higher, he proposes a 'one-degree challenge': reducing the setting by just 1°C, for example from 21°C to 20°C.
"That could save you around 10% on the heating bill," Lewis stated. He also warned against a common panic reaction when a room feels cold. "Don't turn it up, just wait for it to get to the heat," he advised, explaining that a thermostat will heat a room to its set temperature regardless, and cranking it up higher only wastes money.
Harness 'Tactical Curtains' for Free Heat
Lewis emphasised using simple, existing home features to manage heat. He coined the term 'tactical curtains' for a straightforward method: opening curtains during sunny hours to allow natural light and warmth in, and closing them as soon as it gets dark to act as an insulating layer, trapping heat inside.
He suggested that doing this rigorously can make a real difference, and for greater effect, homeowners can line curtains with cheap thermal material, following DIY guides available online.
The £100 Boiler Setting Change
The most significant potential saving, according to Lewis, comes from adjusting a single setting on a combi boiler. He urged people to locate and lower their boiler's 'flow temperature' – the temperature at which water leaves the boiler to circulate through the radiators.
Most boilers are set too high, often around 75-85°C, which is inefficient. Lewis recommends reducing this flow temperature to around 60°C. He stressed this change does not lower the temperature of your home or your hot water, though the hot water may take slightly longer to reach its maximum temperature.
"But it can cut £100 a year off your bill, and it is well worth everyone doing," Lewis said. He cited a success story from a viewer named David, who lowered his boiler flow temperature from 85°C to 60°C, finding it worked just as well while saving money. Lewis called this adjustment "an absolute no brainer" for all combi boiler owners.
With energy prices remaining a significant concern for millions, these practical tips from Martin Lewis offer a direct way to regain some control over winter bills without sacrificing comfort.
