Millions of Britons have been shivering in unusually cold temperatures this month – but Martin Lewis warned homeowners against a common heating mistake.
As of February 17, maximum temperatures had been 1.7C lower than normal compared with the Central England Temperature for the period 1991-2020, BBC Weather reports.
And while many will still be cranking up the central heating to keep their homes toasty, the Money Saving Expert founder previously offered advice to prevent wasting energy – and money – unnecessarily.
During an appearance on This Morning, Lewis said: “They say it’s better to only put the heating on when you need it.
“You pay to pump energy in as and when is needed, and to keep pumping it in constantly isn’t efficient.”
“Using a timer’s best, because your thermostat is designed to turn your heating on and off to keep your home at the temperature you set it at,” he said, adding that he would generally stick with that.
But Lewis continued to say that that some engineers recommend keeping the heating on – and that it could be something for those in certain properties to consider.
He said: “There are some engineers who argue that keeping the heating on low with all the radiators on and the boiler down can work as it reduces condensation, which when the heating is turned off collects within the walls, and can help conduct heat outside the home.
“This means you lose heat more quickly and will use more energy as a result.
“So if your house is prone to that you may want to think about it,” he added.
Stephen Day, a heating engineer at iHeat previously said: “A lot of people keep their heating on longer than they really need to, which wastes both energy and money.
“If you learn when and how to adjust your heating, you can stay comfortable without incurring unnecessary expenses,” he added.
In previous years, temperatures have started to rise in March as spring arrives, meaning well-insulated homes may no longer need to be heated.
Day says the last week of next month “is the best time to think of switching off your heating as this consistent rise in temperature means you’re less likely to feel the chill and need to pop your radiators on”.
