To help lower energy bills, especially as the Energy Price Cap increases in January, the Energy Savings Trust revealed the exact number that radiator dials should be on.
Between January 1 to March 31, 2025, the Energy Price Cap increases, which means the cost of each unit of gas and electricity goes up.
Not only this, the daily standing charge for gas and electricity – which is the set amount it costs to be supplied with these amenities – will go up too.
Whichever way you look at it, from January, you will be charged more money to use the same amount of electric and gas that you use now.
People who have central heating will have radiators in their home that have a thermostatic radiator valve on the side.
Most radiators have a valve numbered from zero to six to direct the temperature of the radiator.
The Energy Savings Trust elaborated: “Thermostatic radiator valves work by sensing the air temperature around them.
“If the room is warmer than the setting on the TRV, the valve will close a little. This reduces the volume of hot water flowing into the radiator.
“If the room temperature is lower than the valve setting, the valve opens, increasing the flow of hot water into the radiator.”
To help reduce the cost of energy while still staying comfortably warm at home, the Energy Savings Trust recommends turning the radiator dial to three or four.
The not-for-profit organisation stated that a radiator valve dial at three or four is best for the “rooms you use the most”.
For bedrooms, and rooms you use less, you can turn the radiator valves down to two to three. “You should aim for the lowest setting that keeps the room at a comfortable temperature,” the charity added.
“Doing this will reduce the volume of hot water flowing into the radiator, using less energy and saving you money.”
