As the chill sets in, Brits across the nation are cranking up their thermostats and firing up their boilers.
With the winter season being the priciest time of year for gas and electricity usage, many wonder – is it more cost-effective to leave your heating on constantly?
Well, we’ve had a delve into the archives and found some cracking advice from money saving guru Martin Lewis’ team – and it’s as useful today as ever.
Some argue that keeping the heating on all day is more economical than switching it on and off, as you avoid wasting time waiting for your home to warm up and reheating it from cold.
Back in 2019, the Manchester Evening News consulted Martin Lewis’ website MoneySavingExpert.com. Steve Nowottny commented: “As winter approaches, we’re often asked whether it’s cheaper to leave the heating on low all day even when you’re out, or turn it up only when you need it.”
“While the answer’s hotly debated, the consensus among most – though not all – energy experts seems to be that having the heating on only when you need it is the best way to save energy, and therefore money.
“The key point here is that it’s all about the total energy required to heat your home. Given that a certain amount of energy is constantly leaking out of your home, no matter how good your insulation, it’s best to only heat your home when you need it.”
He continued: “It’s worth noting though that this isn’t clear-cut, and not everyone agrees. Some specialists argue you should avoid turning the heating on and off as it can cause condensation to collect within the walls, which in turn can mean you home leaks heat more quickly.”
Martin Lewis also said on This Morning: “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 you home at the temperature you set it at.
“So in general I’d stick with that.”
He also raised the point about condensation, explaining: “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.”
Additional strategies to slash your heating costs
Here are 12 methods to reduce your heating expenses from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk.
1. Aluminium foil positioned behind radiators
Utilise kitchen foil. That’s right! By cutting sheets of this kitchen staple to fit behind radiators, you can significantly improve the temperature of a room. The tin foil will reflect hot air back into the room, rather than letting it escape through cold walls.
2. Rearrange your furniture
Placing bulky items like sofas or chairs directly in front of a radiator will trap the heat and won’t help anyone stay warm this winter.
3. Draw your curtains
Why allow all that cosy hot air to leak through chilly glass windows when you can prevent its escape by simply closing your curtains or blinds?
4. Lower your thermostat
Reducing the temperature by just one degree could save you several pounds per week. Experts suggest 18C as an ideal level, instead of a costly 20C or 25C.
5. Leave the oven door open after cooking
Releasing a box full of warm 200C air into the kitchen is the perfect solution to fend off the cold in the evening.
6. Invest in a rug
It might seem basic, but covering those wooden or laminate floors with an insulating cotton rug can make walking around the house less chilly.
7. Keep layered up
Taking off an extra layer as soon as you get home from work is literally throwing money away. The more clothes you wear, the less you’ll need to use the heating, saving you money in no time.
8. Draft-proof your home
Sealing those tiny gaps around your home can significantly reduce your heating bills. Simple gaffer tape can be used to seal cracks in floors and walls, while the bottom of doors can be blocked with old clothes, towels or specially purchased draught-excluders.
9. Scavenge for firewood
Any fuel you find in the woods is free and if your fire burns for longer, the heating will need to be on less and those bills will be smaller.
10. Invest in a hot water bottle
Sometimes the old ways are the best. Using a traditional hot water bottle in bed could lead to a significant reduction in overnight heating bills.
11. Keep doors open where suitable
If you have a lovely south-facing room that gets loads of direct sunlight, it will naturally be the warmest in the house – leaving the door to that room open will allow the heated air to circulate around the house.
12. Shut doors
Indeed, both. Once the sun has set, close the door to your living room or bedroom to keep all that cosy air trapped inside.