A heating expert has shared a simple, effective way to slash your energy bills by up to 10% – and it only takes a second to do.
The chill of winter has been rather persistent, with people keen to find cost effective ways to keep their homes warm for less. Many turn to social media for tips and tricks on heating their homes cheaply and efficiently, with some ideas gaining major traction.
In a bid to help, My Local Toolbox founder Adam Clark has weighed in with advice on which conflicting tidbits of information are worth listening to and which don’t actually hold up at all.
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One of his most cost effective recommendations is a simple one – it can be completed in no time at all and doesn’t require any effort. Clark claims lowering your thermostat by just 1°C can save as much as 10% on your heating bills.
This has been echoed on social media, with a TikTok video echoing this sentiment and demonstrating turning down a thermostat set in Fahrenheit. Accompanying the video, the caption reads: “According to Energy.gov, you’re not saving on your heating bill by keeping it at a constant 68 degrees. Do this instead!”
Of the myths which should be avoided, he had plenty to say. One common belief is it’s cheaper to leave the heating on low all day, which appears to stem from the theory that constantly heating a home uses less energy than turning the system on and off. However, according to Clark, this isn’t true.
He said: “A property’s heat loss is proportional to the temperature difference between the inside and the outside of your home. Leaving your heating on all day will mean that most of the heat is lost to the outside of the home.
“As a result, you’ll use more energy to maintain that consistent temperature versus only heating your home when you feel you need to. Turning your heating on and off as required is almost always more energy efficient.”
The expert explained most heat is lost through our walls, windows and roofs and good insulation is vital to preventing a significant amount of heat loss, so it could be worth investing in.
He also recommends installing a smart thermostat. This can offer full control over your heating schedule, even when you are away from home. Many also learn your routines over time, automatically adjusting to your daily schedule.
Another issue to be consider is whether your radiators are working effectively. If they aren’t heating up properly, it could be a sign of trapped air. Bleeding your radiators means they work efficiently and evenly distribute the heat.
Clark also recommends only heating the rooms you’re using – if you have a guest bedroom or a home office you don’t use daily, it’s wise to turn off the radiators in those spaces.
Of the belief turning your thermostat up higher heats your home faster, Clark explained: “Turning up your thermostat doesn’t speed up heating; it just makes your boiler work harder to reach a higher temperature, often wasting energy.”
Of electric heaters, he said: “Electric heaters can be useful for small spaces, but they’re generally more expensive than gas-powered central heating systems.
Some measures, such as bleeding radiators or draught-proofing, are low-cost DIY solutions, while others, like insulation or a smart thermostat, will be more significant upfront investments. Adam encourages homeowners to think of these upgrades as “long-term savings”.
He added: “While there is some upfront cost to installing better insulation or upgrading your boiler, these improvements pay for themselves over time in reduced energy bills. In addition, many energy-saving improvements can raise the value of your property.”