Martin Lewis finally ends debate on if it’s better to leave heating on all day | Personal Finance | Finance
As the chill sets in, households across the UK are faced with the perennial question – should you leave your heating on all day or not?
The “low and slow” approach of keeping radiators on a low heat constantly is often touted as the most efficient way to warm your home. However, others beg to differ.
Now, Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert has shed some light on the best course of action. Drawing on insights from the Energy Saving Trust, British Gas, an independent plumber, and social media feedback from MoneySavers, this is the most comprehensive answer you’ll find.
According to MSE, the consensus appears to be that “leaving the heating on all day leads to greater heat loss and means higher cost”.
Yet, it seems both arguments for and against leaving the heating on have merit – but what’s best depends on your specific circumstances, reports <a href=”https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/property/2125602/martin-lewis-finally-settles-debate” rel=”Follow” target=”_self”>the Express</a>.
The Energy Saving Trust advises against leaving the heating on all day, stating it’s less efficient. Instead, they recommend pumping heat into your home only when needed – ensuring you’re only paying when necessary.
Using a timed thermostat is the optimal way to maintain your home at the desired temperature at the right times.
However, if you have a modern boiler or heat pump, are at home all day, or spend most of your evenings and weekends at home, the low and slow method wins, argues Heat Geek. Heat pumps are a low-carbon form of electric heating which capture heat from outside the home.
A modern condensing boiler recovers some waste heat before its lost – these boilers were installed after 2005. In these cases, it could be more efficient to keep your house at a constant 18 or 19°C.
Low temperatures and slow heating responsiveness, meaning you don’t shoot your heating up when you’re cold- means the boiler can recover more waste heat.
However, this will not be the best method for you if you are often out of the house or if you have plasterboard walls (which heat up faster). But if you have cavity wall and loft insulation or underfloor heating – low and slow is best.
Others think the argument for low and slow is that it will prevent condensation collecting within the walls each time the heating is turned off- which can conduct heat outside your home. This can also encourage damp and mould.
As there is no firm answer, MSE recommends trial and error – comparing the energy usage with each method.
Take your meter readings at the start and end of each experiment and compare them – but try and match the temperatures of the weeks you are testing in.
