UK households have been warned that an incorrectly placed thermostat could be significantly increasing their energy bills. Experts advise against installing your thermostat in certain areas, such as the hallway.
Ben Gallizzi, an energy specialist at Uswitch.com, highlighted the importance of thermostat placement for efficient heating. He explained: “Deciding where to place your thermostat is important because it can affect how well your heating works. Placing it in a room that is colder than the rest of the house, such as a hallway, is a bad idea as it will turn on and off at the wrong times.”
Ben added: “For example, if you open the front door and let in cold air, then the thermostat may tell your heating system to send out more heat as it thinks the whole house is below your desired temperature.”
He also issued a warning to customers of British Gas, OVO, EDF, EON, and Octopus, adding: “Having a thermostat near to a radiator, window or in direct sunlight will also skew the readings.”
Ben pointed out that these locations are typically warmer, which could cause the thermostat to switch off prematurely, before the entire area reaches the set temperature, reports Birmingham Live. He suggested the best spot for a thermostat is in the room you use most, likely the living room, saying: “This is where it’s easiest to control the temperature, and in an area of good airflow.
“The Energy Saving Trust recommends heating your home to between 18 to 21 degrees Celsius during winter.
“Turning down your thermostat by just one degree can reduce your energy bill by up to 10%.”
In light of this, millions of British households are bracing for an energy bill hike of approximately 5% from April following a drop in Europe’s gas storage levels, which has led to an increase in market prices, say analysts. The expected average gas and electricity bill for a standard household in Great Britain is set to go up by £85 starting April, reaching £1,823 annually as per the energy price cap issued by the regulator