Martin Lewis revealed whether you should keep heating on all day (Image: ITV)
As autumn grips the UK, plunging temperatures are prompting households to fire up their heating systems once more.
Yet amid rising , the debate heats up over whether its more economical to keep the heating humming all day or just to blast it when necessary.
Speaking on , , the Money Saving Expert, settled this hot topic: “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.”
Martin didn’t stop there, addressing another aspect of this heated discussioncondensation.
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He pointed out: “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.”
Meanwhile, in an online exchange about home heating habits asked by Lewis on his MSE Forum, one participator shared 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.”
Another user chimed in: 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.”
Other tips for keeping your heating bill down
Tin foil behind the radiators
Cutting sheets of this kitchen essential to fit behind radiators will work wonders for the temperature of a room. The tin foil will use its scientific properties to reflect hot air back into the room, rather than allowing it to drift away through cold walls.
Move your furniture
Directly blocking a radiator with something like a bulky sofa or chair will trap the heat and not help anyone get warm this winter.
Close your curtains
Why let all that cosy hot air seep through cold glass windows, when you can block its escape by simply drawing your curtains or blinds.
Turn the thermostat down
Every single degree lower could save you several pounds per week. Experts recommend 18C as an ambient level, rather than a costly 20C or 25C.
Leave the oven door open after cooking
A box full of toasty 200C air released into the kitchen will be the perfect remedy to stave off the cold in the evening.
Buy a rug
It may sound simple, but you won’t be so cold walking around the house if you cover those wooden or laminate floors with an insulating cotton rug.
Keep a jumper on
Throwing an extra layer down as soon as you get home from work is literally throwing money away. The more clothes you put on, the less the heating will be on and you’ll be saving cold hard cash in no time.
Draft-proof
Plugging all those little holes around the house will make a big difference to your heating bills. Simple gaffer tape can be used to seal cracks in floors and walls, whilst the bottom of doors could be blocked with old clothes, towels or specifically purchased draft-excluder.
Forage for firewood
Any fuel you find in a public woods is free and if your fire burns for longer, the heating will need to be on less and those bills will be smaller. However, please keep in mind some woodlands leave dead wood in place for wildlife.
Get a hot water bottle
Sometimes the old habits are the best, using a traditional hot water bottle in bed could lead to a significant reduction in overnight heating bills.
Open doors
If you have a lovely south facing room that gets loads of direct sun light, 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.
Close doors
Yes, both. Once the sun has set, close the door to your living room or bedroom to keep all that cosy air trapped inside.