Overview
- Martin Lewis urges households to follow his “4pm rule” on curtains, opening them in daylight and closing at sunset to trap warmth and delay using central heating.
- He also promotes the “1 degree” thermostat challenge to trim use by roughly 10% and lowering combi-boiler flow temperature to about 60°C, which he says can save around £100 a year.
- Consumer group Which? advises setting thermostatic radiator valves no higher than three except where the main thermostat sits, warning higher settings can raise bills unnecessarily.
- Trade and DIY guidance highlights bleeding radiators, clearing furniture from in front of them, using reflective panels, draught-proofing, and adding insulation, with MyBuilder pointing to low-cost cylinder “boiler jackets.”
- New seasonal coverage cites public concern, including LoftZone research showing 96% plan to reduce heating and a surveyed ideal home average of about 19.5°C as forecasts point to a UK cold snap.