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Experts Urge Steady Home Heating Over ‘Little and Often’ to Cut Winter Energy Use

New guidance says using timers or smart thermostats alongside insulation and draught-proofing helps lower costs without sacrificing comfort.

Overview

  • Grant Store warns that short, frequent heating cycles make systems work harder, driving up energy use and causing extra wear.
  • Homeowners are advised to hold a consistent indoor temperature during occupied hours and to reduce heat only when asleep or away without letting rooms get cold.
  • The NHS advises a minimum home temperature of 18°C, and smart meters can help households track real-time heating costs.
  • Maintenance remains critical, with calls to bleed radiators and book boiler services to restore efficiency and reduce the risk of winter breakdowns.
  • MyBuilder’s tips highlight low-cost fixes such as boiler jackets that can cut tank heat loss by over 75% and potential savings of about £200 a year, plus draught-proofing and pipe insulation.
  • Longer-term upgrades include better glazing, with government figures attributing 18% of household heat loss to windows, and portable electric heaters are flagged as effective for spot heating but costly to run over time.