Money-saving guru Martin Lewis has given his take on the issue of whether it’s more cost-effective to leave the heating on all day or not. Speaking on ITV show This Morning, the ever-savvy Mr Lewis shed some light on a matter that splits opinion.
He said: “They say it’s better to only put the heating on when you need it. You pay to pump energy in as and when is needed, and to keep pumping it in constantly isn’t efficient. Using a timer’s best, because your thermostat is designed to turn your heating on and off to keep your home at the temperature you set it at. So in general I’d stick with that.”
However, his next point made the issue a bit more complex. He said: “There are some engineers who argue that keeping the heating on low with all the radiators on and the boiler down can work as it reduces condensation, which when the heating is turned off collects within the walls, and can help conduct heat outside the home. This means you lose heat more quickly and will use more energy as a result. So if your house is prone to that you may want to think about it.”
Over on the MSE Forum, the conversation continued. One member described their method: “I normally just leave it on stat (set the thermostat and let it sort itself out) so between 15 and 20 while I’m in. I turn it down to 10 when I’m out,” reports Essex Live.
Another recounted: “I live in a well-insulated new build so heating is on a timer with thermostat on 20C from 6am to 7am and 5pm to 8pm. I generally keep it off completely over the summer.”
Echoing that, another added: “My heating is set to 21C from 07.45 to 23.30 then 18C overnight but sometimes I manually increase the temp to 22.5C in the evening if my wife is feeling chilly. It resets to 21C at 7.45 the next day. It will occasionally produce heat during the night if it is below freezing outside.”
Other savvy methods include using tin foil behind radiators, drawing your curtains for extra insulation, nudging the thermostat down a notch to cut costs, leaving your oven open post-cooking to share the heat, and investing in a rug. To further shave off some pounds from the energy bill, draft-proof your dwelling – plugging up gaps in flooring and walls with basic gaffer tape.
Use old garments or towels to block drafts under doors. If you’ve got local woods, hunting for firewood can be an option, just take care to protect natural habitats.
A classic hot water bottle can be a budget-friendly method to keep cosy in bed. If you’re lucky enough to have a south-facing room that basks in ample sunlight, keep the door ajar throughout the day to allow the warm air to flow freely, then shut it at sunset to retain the warmth within.