Martin Lewis has shared whether you should keep the heating on all day amidst skyrocketing energy bills.
Speaking on ITV’s This Morning in October last year, money-saving guru Martin Lewis shared his wisdom, advising: “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.”
Lewis also touched upon the issue of condensation affecting home heating efficiency, stating: “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.”
He further explained the potential downside: “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.”
The conversation has since sparked an online debate, with one user sharing their approach on Martin’s MSE Forum: “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.”
One user pitched in with their energy-saving approach, commenting: “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.”
Additional advice for slashing heating costs includes sticking kitchen foil sheets behind radiators to reflect heat into the room, rather than losing it through walls. It’s best not to obstruct radiators with bulky furniture as it stops heat circulation.
Draw your curtains or blinds to keep warm air in and consider that turning your thermostat down by just one degree can result in noticeable weekly savings – experts suggest 18C is an ideal setting. Releasing a box of 200C warmed air into the kitchen can help ward off evening chills.
Insulating cotton rugs over wooden or laminate floors will also help keep toes toasty. Moreover, piling on extra layers of clothing before cranking up the heat can mean substantial cost savings.
Closing small gaps around the house makes a big difference, with gaffer tape useful for sealing cracks and draft excluders or old textiles keeping door drafts at bay. Wood found in public woods is essentially free fuel; using it can mean less reliance on heating and smaller bills – although it’s important to note that in some areas, fallen wood is kept for wildlife habitats.
Sometimes, the old ways are the best – using a hot water bottle in bed could drastically reduce your overnight heating bills. If you’re lucky enough to have a room that faces south, it will naturally be the toastiest in the house – keeping the door open will let the warm air flow around.
And of course, once the sun goes down, shut the door to your living room or bedroom to trap all that snug air inside.
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