BILL BOOST
Exact temperature to set your heating to that could save you £130 a year or more
We explain how the savings work
MILLIONS of households across England, Scotland, and Wales will see their annual energy costs shoot up by £149 from October.
But a quick trick can knock more than £130 of your bills, helping you to keep the heating on this winter.
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Citizens Advice says that turning down your thermostat by just one degree can save you 10% on your heating costs.
And in 2022, researchers from University College London used thermostat date from 13,000 homes in Britain to see exactly what you could save.
They found that for each 1℃ decrease in thermostat temperatures between 22℃ and 18℃, an average home used around £130 less energy.
The research also showed that bigger homes stand to make greater savings, but not by much.
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For every square metre, average households used around £1.10 less gas for each 1℃ decrease. They also used 40p less electricity for each 1℃ and each square meter.
Important factors that contribute to the amount of energy saved by reducing the thermostat temperature include:
- how big your home is
- how quickly your home loses heat
- how many hours your heating is switched on for
- how mild or cold the winter is
- the tariff you have for your energy bills.
Of course, the easiest way to save money would be to not use the heating at all. But cold temperatures can cause health problems and lead to expensive issues such as burst pipes.
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So, what is the best temperature to have your home at?
Citizens Advice says that most people will find temperatures between 18°C and 21°C comfortable.
However, it adds that if you have a health condition that could be made worse by the cold, you shouldn’t set your thermostat lower than 21°C.
For everyone else, it recommends turning the thermostat down by one degree and seeing how it feels.
Checkatrade recommends using a programmable thermostat to control your heating based on when you’re out, at work or fast asleep.
It says: “You can then automatically increase the degree for when you’re home or awake. Using a programmable thermostat can help to cut down on unnecessary heating, so you’re using your heating more efficiently.”
Checkatrade also provides a helpful schedule for heating your home efficiently in winter, to stay warm whilst also saving cash. It suggests:
- 6 – 8 am: Set your thermostat so your heating turns on half an hour before you wake up. That way, your home will be warm and comfortable when you manage to climb out of bed.
- 8 am – 4 pm: While you’re at work or out and about, set your thermostat to a lower temperature, such as 18-20°C. This will help you save money on your heating bills and also keep your home above freezing.
- 4 – 10 pm: For a warm welcome, set the thermostat so your heating comes back on around half an hour before you’re usually home. You might also want to set the thermostat to a slightly higher temperature, such as 20-22°C, for when you’re home in the evenings.
- 10 pm – 6:00 am: Set the thermostat to a lower temperature, such as 16-18°C, while you sleep. This will help you save money on your heating bill and keep your home warm enough for a comfortable night’s sleep.
The Centre for Sustainable Energy has helpfully busted the myth that its cheaper to leave your heating on low all day than to simply use energy when you need it.
It says: “Don’t pay for heat that you’re not using! If you are out during the day (or tucked up in bed at night), you don’t need the heating on.
“Even if you turn your thermostat down a bit, your boiler will keep firing up and using energy (and cost you money) at times when you won’t feel the benefit.
“Instead, programme your central heating using the timer so that it switches off when you’re out or in bed, and switches back on to warm up the house about half an hour before you get home or before you get up.”
Citizens Advice adds that you should check your thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) to make sure you’re not heating rooms you don’t use. These are the controls on your radiator that let you set its individual temperature.
They’re usually attached to one of the pipes that goes into your radiator and have a dial with numbers on that you can adjust.
The charity says: “Check what the TRVs on your radiators are set to. If they’re on a high setting in rooms where you don’t spend much time, try turning them down to a low setting to save energy.
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“Don’t turn them down to zero - this will turn off the radiator completely. Even in a room you don’t use much, there should be some heat to stop damp and mould from developing.”
Other top tips for keeping your home warm include investing in insulation, sealing leaks and draughts, shutting your curtains and getting a more efficient boiler.
How do I calculate my energy bill?
BELOW we reveal how you can calculate your own energy bill.
To calculate how much you pay for your energy bill, you must find out your unit rate for gas and electricity and the standing charge for each fuel type.
The unit rate will usually be shown on your bill in p/kWh.The standing charge is a daily charge that is paid 365 days of the year - irrespective of whether or not you use any gas or electricity.
You will then need to note down your own annual energy usage from a previous bill.
Once you have these details, you can work out your gas and electricity costs separately.
Multiply your usage in kWh by the unit rate cost in p/kWh for the corresponding fuel type - this will give you your usage costs.
You'll then need to multiply each standing charge by 365 and add this figure to the totals for your usage - this will then give you your annual costs.
Divide this figure by 12, and you'll be able to determine how much you should expect to pay each month from April 1.
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