A heating specialist from Which? has revealed the exact setting for radiator dials that could help UK households save hundreds on energy bills. The advice, shared in a TikTok video, focuses on adjusting the thermostatic radiator valve on every radiator in the home.
The specialist explained that each number on the dial corresponds to a particular room temperature. The key recommendation is to avoid setting the dial higher than three, unless it is in the room where the thermostat is located.
Why setting three is the money-saving sweet spot
“Don't have this dial higher than three. Unless it's the room where your thermostat is,” the specialist stated. “Whacking your thermostatic radiator valve up to five opens the valve to the max, letting loads of hot water into the radiator when your heating is on.”
That is beneficial for rooms you want to heat quickly, such as the living room, especially if that is where the main thermostat is. However, if every radiator is set to five, heating bills could be higher than necessary.
Recommended settings for bedrooms and living areas
The specialist advised keeping bedroom radiators between settings two and three to maintain temperatures from 15 to 20 degrees. Living areas could use higher settings if needed.
“In bedrooms you should keep the dial between two and three. This will keep the room temp between 15 and 20 degrees, which is comfortable and could save you money,” the expert added.
Thermostat guidance and potential savings
According to the Energy Saving Trust, the advised thermostat setting for most British households is the lowest comfortable temperature, usually from 18°C to 21°C. Fitting a thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves can save households £100 annually on energy costs.
A room thermostat prevents the central heating system from using more energy than necessary. It activates the heating until the space reaches the programmed temperature, then switches off until the temperature falls again.
