FEELING THE HEAT
Your thermostat is in the wrong place in your home and it’s adding £100s to bills – many don’t realise it’s easy to move
How to ensure you're not paying over the odds to keep warm this winter
IF your thermostat is in the wrong place you could end up paying hundreds of pounds more in energy bills.
As temperatures drop and you begin turning on the heating, it's vital to ensure that your thermostat is not driving up your energy costs because it's misjudging the temperature of your home.
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Thermostats are used to control how your heating and monitor when your home has reached your desired temperature.
But if the thermostat is in the wrong place, it could be reporting inaccurate temperatures for the rest of the house, meaning your heating is working harder than necessary.
Many people don't know that most thermostats can be moved around the home, though only if they are wireless.
Heating the home typically makes up half of a UK household's energy costs in winter, so has a big impact on your bills.
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Joanna Flowers, service and repair engineer at British Gas, explained: “When deciding where to place your thermostat, the main thing is to ensure you don’t place it somewhere colder or warmer than the centre of your home.
"If you place your thermostat in the heart of your home - we often suggest internal hallways or living rooms – it will make sure you get your desired temperature and save on bills by only using as much heating as you need.";
With energy costs remaining stubbornly high and the winter fuel payment having been axed for some pensioners, it's particularly important to make sure your heating is being accurately controlled.
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has advised fitting thermostatic radiator valves, as well as a programmer and a room thermostat, to help optimise your central heating system.
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The organisation says together the controls could reduce your energy bills by £95 annually.
When it comes to your thermostat the EST stressed the importance of ensuring it is in the right spot and set to the lowest comfortable temperature to minimise costs.
A spokesperson said: “Room thermostats need a free flow of air to sense the temperature, so they should not be blocked by curtains or furniture, or placed near heat sources that could give them false readings.
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“If you’re feeling warm enough, lowering your thermostat from 22°C to 21°C can save you £80 annually. Reducing it further from 21°C to 18°C can save you £230 each year.
"The World Health Organisation states that the most comfortable temperature range for most people is between 18°C and 21°C.”
Where should I place my thermostat?
Placing your thermostat in the right place will make sure your home is heated effectively.
British Gas’ Flowers advised: “We suggest an interior wall as external walls are often much cooler, so the thermostat will tell the boiler to warm the house up when it might not need to.
“It should be at medium height because heat rises and you should avoid it being too close to radiators, cookers, direct sunlight or near draughts.”
A checklist for where to install your thermostat includes an interior wall, in a frequently used room near the centre of your home at a height of about 5ft.
The heating experts at Bestheating.com advise avoiding the following areas to make sure accurate temperature readings:
- In direct sunlight
- In the kitchen
- Near windows or doors
- In the hallway
- Above air vents
- Above a radiator
Any area that experiences sudden changes in temperatures, such as kitchens, bathrooms or draughty spots, could lead to inaccurate readings.
Similarly, you should avoid the coldest or warmest rooms in your house.
What should I do if I can't move my thermostat?
Check if your thermostat is wired into your wall, if not you should be able to unscrew it and move it easily.
If so, you may need to upgrade to a wireless thermostat that will give you much more control over your heating.
A new smart thermostat can cost between £120 to £220, according to Checkatrade.com.
But this doesn't factor in the thermostat's installation cost, which is usually around £30 to £80 depending on how long it takes.
How else can I cut my heating bills?
If you turn your boiler's flow temperature down as well as any thermostatic radiator valves in some rooms - you could save around £180 annually on your energy bills.
A couple managed to cut £400 off their EDF Energy bill by turning off their immersion heater.
Topping up loft insulation and switching to a smart meter can also bring a household further savings.
Reducing draughts and heat loss will also help to cut your heating costs so grab some draught excluders and consider increasing your insulation.
It's also important to consider which rooms in your home need heating.
You won't be using each one 24/7 so make sure the heating is off in any rooms that aren't occupied.
There is also a list of other common boiler problems we've rounded up that could be pumping up your bills.
A noisy boiler could also indicate that your water pressure is low or there's a pump failure.
If you spot rust on your boiler then it could mean you're paying more than you need to on using your appliance.
Although rust itself does not cause issues, it could be a sign that there is a leak - which indicates there is a problem with your boiler.
It can also upset the temperature balance in your boiler, making it run less efficiently and ramping up costs.
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What energy bill help is available?
THERE'S a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don't think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria varies depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don't need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you're struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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