Exact location in your home to put your thermostat to avoid unnecessary heating bills
ENERGY experts have revealed the best place to put your thermostat if you want your heating to work most effectively this winter.
With money tight for many of us, it could really matter where you place the dial which monitors your home’s temperature.
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com, said the placement of your thermostat is important because it determines how effectively your heating works, and when it turns itself on and off.
If you have it in the wrong place, you may find your heating comes on when you don’t need it to, wasting energy and money.
“The best place for it is in the room that you use the most, as this is where you want to have the greatest control over the temperature,” he explained.
This is likely to be your main living room, as it probably has the most stable temperature, rather than the kitchen where cooking can heat a room for a brief period.
“Try to avoid placing the thermostat in places that may distort the readings, such as close to a radiator or oven, or in direct sunlight,” Gallizzi advised.
He also said you should avoid putting a thermostat in your hallway, as the temperature can be skewed every time the front door opens.
“This can mean the heating turns on because the hallway is cold, even though the rest of the house is already warm,” he pointed out.
Another thing to think about is the airflow around the thermostat, to ensure that it gets an up-to-date reading of the current room temperature.
And by turning your thermostat down by just one degree, you can reduce your energy bill by up to 10%.
The Energy Saving Trust recommends heating your home to between 18 to 21 degrees during winter.
If you are worried about paying your energy bills this winter, you should contact your energy supplier, which can offer advice and support – see what help is available below.
What should I do if I can’t move my thermostat?
Make sure to double-check if your thermostat is permanently wired into the wall.
Many non-smart thermostats are battery-operated and in this case, they are just screwed into place, so they can be easily moved.
It may be worth considering upgrading to a wireless thermostat as it will give you more control over your heating.
What energy bill help is available?
There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill.
Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
The cost of a new smart thermostat can range from £120 to £220, according to Checkatrade.
But this doesn’t factor in the thermostat’s installation cost, which is usually around £30 to £80 depending on how long it takes and how complicated it is.
What else can I do to keep energy costs down?
There are also other ways of saving money, such as moving to a fixed energy tariff.
“There is a good range of fixed deals on the market right now which could save the average household around £130 per year,” Gallizzi said.
It is also worth thinking about when you actually need the house to be warm – for example when you are getting up in the morning.
In this case, it would be better to set the heating to come on an hour or two before you get up and then go off before you leave the house for the day, so the building is at its warmest while you are at home.
You should also make sure you turn off the radiators in the rooms you’re not using to cut costs.
There are other ways of staying warm without using your heating.
Layering up, using blankets or buying a thick winter duvet will all help keep the chill out.
Consider buying an electric blanket, they are another great way to keep warm and most cost around 3p an hour to run.
Or hot water bottles are always great for a cost-free way of keeping warm and they are perfect for snuggling up in bed.
Make sure you buy a new one as they can perish with use, and never fill with boiling water.
You should also check whether you qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment, which is paid to older people and people receiving certain benefits.
Some energy companies are even giving people free heating on Christmas Day.