Financial experts from MoneySavingExpert (MSE), the consumer advice website founded by Martin Lewis, have issued urgent guidance to households across the UK this February. They are strongly recommending the installation of inexpensive thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) as a simple yet effective method to significantly reduce domestic energy expenditure.
The £10 Gadget That Puts You in Control
The MSE team has highlighted that these valves, which typically cost around £10 each plus fitting, offer precise control over which rooms in your home are heated. This prevents the common and costly mistake of wasting energy and money by warming spaces that are unoccupied for large parts of the day.
"Make sure you control which rooms you heat, so you're not wasting cash heating empty rooms," the experts advise. "You can simply go round the house and turn down the radiators in the rooms you don't want to heat."
Substantial Annual Savings
According to figures from Smart Energy GB cited by MSE, households could save around £40 a year simply by adjusting these radiator valves to a midway point in rooms that are seldom used. By fitting TRVs and using them in conjunction with your main central heating thermostat, you gain a room-by-room heating management system.
These clever devices work by automatically reducing or completely stopping the flow of hot water to a radiator once the room reaches the desired temperature set on the valve itself. It is important to note that this control applies to all rooms except the one containing the main thermostat for the heating system.
Essential Winter Precautions and the 9am Rule
MSE has also provided crucial safety warnings alongside its money-saving tips. Most thermostatic radiator valves feature a frost prevention setting, often indicated by a snowflake symbol. This ensures that even when a valve is turned fully off, a minimal amount of hot water can still pass through to prevent pipes from freezing and potentially bursting during severe cold snaps.
The guidance stresses that if your radiators do not currently have TRVs installed, you must be extremely careful not to turn them off completely in winter, as this drastically increases the risk of burst pipes.
Integrating Savings into Your Daily Routine
For optimal efficiency, MSE suggests making heating control a part of your morning ritual. The team recommends adjusting your heating controls before 9am, aligning with the time when most Britons begin their working day. This proactive step helps avoid the energy waste associated with heating an empty home.
This "9am rule" is equally valuable for those who work from home. If your home office is in a bedroom, the advice is to try layering up with warmer clothing and keeping the thermostat slightly lower to achieve savings without sacrificing comfort.
Important Health and Appliance Considerations
While cutting back on heating can save money, MSE cautions households to be mindful of potential side effects. In some properties, allowing rooms to become too cold can lead to increased condensation, which in turn raises the risk of damp and mould growth—a significant health and housing concern.
Furthermore, the experts note that refrigerators and freezers may not operate correctly if the ambient room temperature drops too low, typically below 10°C. This is an important factor for those considering turning down the heat in kitchens or utility rooms.
Debunking a Common Energy-Saving Myth
In its comprehensive guidance, MSE has also moved to debunk a persistent myth about radiator efficiency. Some believe that painting radiators black improves their heat output. However, the MoneySavingExpert team confirms that, according to the Energy Saving Trust, this is simply not true.
"This is simply a myth and not worth the time, money, or paint," the website states, advising households to focus on proven, effective measures like installing TRVs instead.
With energy costs remaining a pressing concern for millions, these practical tips from Martin Lewis's MSE offer a clear, actionable path to reducing bills without a major upfront investment, putting control back into the hands of consumers.
