As we approach winter, many householders are debating whether or not to turn on their central heating as the cold weather sets in.
However, amid the cost of living crisis, many people are worried about their finances as energy prices soar. Householders are paying much higher prices for energy than they did last winter - meaning the cost of heating has gone up too.
But more than half of homes are heated much more than they need to be - or at least, they were last winter. And now people are being advised about the temperature you should set your thermostat at to keep your house warm but also save money, the Mirror reports.
Read more: Martin Lewis sends out money warning to couples who live together but are not married
If you can, turning your thermostat by 1c can save up to 10% on your yearly energy bills, the Energy Saving Trust has said. Its experts recommend heating your home to between 18c and 21c this winter.
But a study by Uswitch previously found around 17million homes in the UK set their thermostat above 20°c - much hotter than many people need. Of course, you should heat your home based on your own circumstances.
This will vary depending on your age, health, location, and what sort of property you live in. How much you can afford to turn your heating on also plays a part.
Nearly one in four adults plan to leave their heating off all winter due to high energy prices. But ideally, experts think heating your home to more than 21c is unnecessary - and will rack up your energy bills.
The World Health Organisation suggests 18c as a good temperature for healthy people, and 20c for the elderly or young people. For sleeping, experts say 18c is the best temperature. But much depends on your own needs.
Charity Age UK says the elderly should heat their main living area to 21c, with the rest of their home at 18c. Low temperatures are a particular issue for older generations. If a room is less than 9c, it can cause hypothermia, according to British Gas.
Similarly, if a room is below 12c, or above 24c, it can raise the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Energy prices rose from October 1, when the Government's Energy Price Guarantee came into force.
This freezes energy bills for the average household at around £2,500 a year, though many will pay more or less than this depending on their use. The price freeze means the typical household will pay less for energy than the £3,549 a year that was predicted from October 1.
But it still means homes are facing higher energy prices than they were, with the average household paying £529 a year extra from the start of this month.
Read next:
- DWP Universal Credit benefit claimants can get 30 free things - including energy bills discount
Universal Credit hardship payments - how to apply for emergency cash as thousands sanctioned
DWP warning issued as people targeted by Cost of Living payment scammers
What to do if you can't pay your mortgage - see all the help available to homeowners
Shoppers turn to wonky fruit and veg to cut bills as food prices rise
