Is it cheaper to leave your heating on all day on low? Energy myths busted
COLDER nights might have you reaching for the thermostat, but how can you keep costs down?
A puzzle many of us face is working out in winter whether it's best to leave the heating on all day on low or not.
Or should you just put it on for quick bursts to warm up the house when you need it?
We explain everything you need to know and which is likely to work out cheapest for your energy bills.
Is it cheaper to put your heating on all day on low?
The idea that putting your heating on low all day will save you cash is a hotly debated topic.
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It's a bit of a myth, according to experts at the Energy Savings Trust and Uswitch,
A certain amount of energy is constantly leaking from your home - no matter how good your insulation is.
You're constantly using energy trying to replace that heat that's escaping if you have the heating on all day, and that can lead to higher bills.
So while it might be more expensive in the short term to heat your home up from scratch every time you're in the house, in the long run you'll likely save money.
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But, as heating expert John Lawless explained to The Sun it can depend on a number of factors, like insulation and your thermostat setting.
What should I turn my thermostat to?
To keep warm without breaking the bank, Energy Saving Trust says to set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature, which is
Your home will heat up to the set temperature whatever the weather - even if it’s colder outside, the organisation says.
And you should look to set a programmer or time control that switches your heating off when you don’t need it as much, such as around bedtime.
Sometimes it’s tempting to whack the heating up high, especially during snowy weather.
But dropping your thermostat by just one degree could save you around £60 every year, according to USwitch.
Is insulation worth it?
Uswitch energy expert Sarah Broomfield says that insulating your home properly is key to saving on your energy bill.
She says that the greater the heat loss from your home, the more energy you will need to maintain the inside temperature.
That means for those living in properties that aren't as well insulated, the cost of leaving your heating on all the time will be especially expensive.
“Taking steps to improve insulation is a good way to save on your energy bills - this can include insulated cavity walls, a well-insulated loft, double-glazing and draught proofed doors," she says.
"Many homeowners can even apply for the newly launched Green Homes Grant."
The Green Homes Grant scheme, run by the Government, lets homeowners apply for help to help make their home more energy efficient.
Homeowners could be entitled to a voucher worth £5,000 to put toward green improvements, going up to £10,000 for families on low income.
The government will cover at least two thirds of the cost that homeowners in England spend on green upgrades, up to these amounts.
This means a householder would pay £1,320 of a £4,000 bill for cavity wall and floor insulation for a semi-detached or end-terrace house, while the government would pay the rest of the bill costing £2,680.
You can check on the to see if you're eligible for a grant.
How else can I save money on heating?
We rounded up how to insulate your home for free or cheap and the draughtiest spots around the home to target first.
Our energy expert explained how you can draught proof your home of under a tenner.
Here's a list of the postcodes that can claim £25 a week through the cold weather payment scheme which starts from November 1.
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