Martin Lewis explains the truth about leaving heating on low setting all day

As the mercury dips, Martin Lewishas shared his thoughts on whether it's best to keep the heating on low all day.

With the chill of winter creeping in over the past week, many are considering firing up their heating systems for the first time in months. So, when we finally decide to switch it on, is it more efficient to keep it on a low setting throughout the day or crank it up for shorter periods?

Given the ongoing surge in energy bills, it's crucial to heed expert advice. The age-old debate has seen many differing opinions, butMoney Saving ExpertMartin previously put the matter to rest on This Morning.

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He informed viewers: "They say it's better to only turn the heating on when you need it. You pay to pump energy in as and when it is needed, and to keep pumping it in constantly isn't efficient."

Martin then suggested using timers for optimal efficiency. "Using a timer is best, because your thermostat is designed to turn your heating on and off to keep your home at the temperature you set it to. So in general I'd stick with that," he recommended.

But the financial whizz didn't stop there, addressing another key aspect of this ongoing discussion - issues related to moisture, reports the Daily Record.

"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," he explained.

"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."

Thanks to the energy price cap, the typical energy bill for gas and electricity across the UK stands at £1,720, but from October 1 until December 31, it climbs by two per cent to £1,755 for the average household.

In an online discussion about home heating habits, launched by Martin on his MSE Forum, one participant revealed their money-saving morning approach. They wrote: "I normally just leave it on stat (set the thermostat and let it sort itself out) so between 15 and 20 while I'm in. I turn it down to 10 when I'm out."

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Another forum user contributed: "I live in a well-insulated new build so heating is on a timer with thermostat on 20C from 6am to 7am and 5pm to 8pm. I generally keep it off completely over the summer."

We recently highlighted how UK households are squandering hundreds of pounds annually on energy bills through basic blunders with their home heating.

Heating expert Ryan Willdig from Heatforce expressed worry that numerous Brits remain clueless about cutting their monthly heating costs. He explained that the most costly error inflating people's heating bills is excessive thermostat use.

Ryan said: "Placing sofas, curtains, or even radiator covers in front of your radiators traps the heat behind them. It'll force the systems to work that extra bit harder, increasing your bills, straining your boiler and producing heat that isn't going to go anywhere."