Overview
- Experts urge heating only occupied spaces using zoning, including turning down thermostatic radiator valves in unused rooms.
- Room-by-room targets are recommended for comfort and efficiency, such as 16–18°C for bedrooms, 18–21°C for living rooms, and 22–24°C for bathrooms.
- Smart controls with WiFi and apps can schedule temperatures by room and enable remote adjustments to prevent unnecessary heating.
- Common errors that raise costs include warming empty areas, using identical schedules throughout the home, poor thermostat timing, and unaddressed draughts from letterboxes, chimneys or loft hatches.
- Latest guidance adds maintenance and layout tips: bleed radiators to restore performance and keep furniture at least 30cm from radiators to preserve airflow, with blocked units reported to lose up to 25% efficiency.