Energy customers could make a huge saving by following a simple home tip. Energy Saving Trust has shared exactly what Brits need to do to cut down on bills. With rising costs, winter can feel daunting and the need to heat the home can feel like a burden. Energy Saving Trust says there’s a certain temperature Brits should be setting their central heating to to help cut down on costs.
It says: “You should set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature for your needs. For most people, this is between 18°C and 21°C. If you can, turning down your thermostat from 22°C to 21°C can save £120 a year in GB and £80 in NI on energy bills.”
It adds: “A room thermostat stops your central heating system using more energy than it needs to. It turns the heating on until the room reaches the temperature you’ve set. Once it reaches the set temperature, it turns the heating off until the temperature drops again.
The energy savings experts say that turning up the room thermostat won’t make the home heat any faster. Room thermostats need a free flow of air to get a better sense of the temperature. Brits should remember to make sure they’re not blocked by curtains or furniture and to keep them away from heat sources like radiators.
Energy Saving Trust adds: “You don’t need to turn your room thermostat up when it is colder outside. Your home will heat up to your chosen temperature whatever the weather, but it may take a little longer on colder days.”
Winter is always an expensive time of year, with the colder weather driving up heating bills and the festive season putting an added strain on household budgets. While it may be tempting to avoid running the heating for as long as possible to save some money, NHS advice recommends heating your home to a minimum of 18C to help stay healthy and protect against the cold.
Households may already be feeling the strain of high energy bills after a 4% hike to Ofgem’s energy price cap this month, adding up to £5 extra per month to bills, but it is possible to reduce costs with a small change to how households run their heating.
