Overview
- The Met Office warns of a marked temperature drop next week with the chance of sleet and snow rising, especially in northern areas before pushing further south.
- The Energy Saving Trust advises heating homes when occupants feel cold and generally setting thermostats between 18°C and 21°C, favoring timed heating over leaving boilers on low all day.
- Martin Lewis urges a 1°C thermostat reduction that could save about 10% on heating bills and recommends lowering boiler flow temperature to around 60°C on suitable combi systems to cut roughly £100 a year.
- Which? says most thermostatic radiator valves should stay at two to three, cautioning against turning them all to five, while heating experts note that cranking a thermostat higher does not warm a home faster.
- Low-cost steps highlighted include draught-proofing, bleeding radiators, using thermal curtains, and fitting water-cylinder ‘boiler jackets’ that can save up to about £200 a year, with government guidance also pointing to at least 300mm of loft insulation.