Martin Lewis’s verdict on keeping the heating on when temperatures plummet | UK | News

Homes across the UK have been battling the freezing temperatures that have hit the country this week. That said, Brits are finding plenty of ways to stay warm instead of cranking up the heating and running up bills.

The colder weather is expected to continue, and with Storm Bertha warnings still in effect, our energy use is sure to increase.

The Met Office’s long-range forecast for November 29 to December 8 said: “There is likely to be a calmer break at the start of this period for much of the UK as high pressure builds with the return of overnight frosts. However, the high will likely move east, potentially allowing some showers to move into some western and northwest areas along with some stronger winds.

“It is unknown whether these conditions will extend east and into other parts of the country, but eastern areas in particular may well remain drier and colder through the weekend.

“In December, and although signals are mixed, it is most likely that high pressure could reassert itself near or over the UK, with temperatures generally close to average, but some overnight frost likely, and days quite chilly when persisting fog. “

But luckily, Martin Lewis from Money Saving Expert shared some energy saving tips on ITV’s This Morning. He said: “They say it’s best to only turn on the heating when you need it. You pay to supply energy as needed, and supplying it continuously is inefficient.

“It’s best to use a timer because your thermostat is designed to turn your heating on and off to keep your home at the temperature you set. So overall I would stick with that.”

Despite all the myths out there about how much it actually costs to keep our homes warm, he also mentioned: “Some engineers argue that keeping the heating low with the radiators on and the boiler off can work as it reduces condensation. »

However, he also shared a warning about what could happen when the heating is turned off. According to the Liverpool Echo, the expert said: “When the heating is switched off, it collects inside the walls and helps transfer heat outside the house.”

Martin Lewis further explained how this can lead to a sharp increase in energy consumption, adding that this “means you lose heat faster and will use more energy as a result. So if your home is prone to this, you might want to consider it.”

On his website, MoneySavingExpert.com, he says that “having the heat on all day causes more heat loss and means higher costs,” and so it’s better to “pump heat into your home when you need it; don’t pay to keep the pump running when you don’t” using a timer to use thermostats efficiently.