Similar advice is also echoed by Octopus Energy – here’s what you should know
OVO Energy has shared a technique for potentially slashing heating costs by up to £90 each year – and it involves just one simple adjustment. The energy giant shared its guidance in January as part of a series of money-saving tips online, while many struggle with rising costs across the UK.
Drawing on data from various sources, OVO Energy said that lowering your thermostat by just a degree could be essential for reducing these expenses. It suggested that smart thermostats can be particularly useful for this, as they offer greater control over your heating.
The energy firm said: “Keeping an eye on your thermostat and turning it down when you don’t need it is an easy way to save fuel and money on your bills. You could save around £90 a year simply by turning it down one degree.
“Using room thermostats and thermostatic radiator controls also let you set the temperature for each room, instead of having one dedicated temperature for the whole house. This helps to stop energy waste by only heating the rooms that you’re using.
“Smart thermostats are good too, as they give you greater control over your central heating by letting you remotely control your home’s temperature via a tablet or smartphone.”
OVO Energy certainly isn’t alone in its perspective on this. Advice from Octopus Energy similarly explains that tweaking your thermostat could mean less energy is wasted and more is used efficiently.
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Octopus Energy’s estimates differ quite considerably from those of OVO Energy, indicating that people could save up to £145 on annual energy bills by doing this. “Tweaking your thermostat (using it as an on/off switch or boost for example) can mean more energy is wasted – you’ll be comfier and use your energy more efficiently if you set it and leave it on for when you need it,” the firm’s blog reads.
“Setting your thermostat to somewhere between 18-21°c is ideal, and turning down the temperature by just 1 degree could save up to £145 on your energy bill.”
Beyond this, both Octopus Energy and OVO Energy offer a wealth of other energy-saving tips online, too. Another vital piece of advice regards draught-proofing, which involves plugging gaps around, doors, windows and chimneys to prevent heat from leaking out.
Neglecting these spots could well be why you are constantly cranking up the thermostat. Octopus Energy’s online guidance adds: “A continuous draught can quickly undo all the good work of your heating – essentially wasting energy.
“Identifying and plugging up draughts around doors, windows and other gaps can help trap warmth in and make your gas spend go further…Professional draught-proofing can cost a few hundred pounds. You can also find draughts yourself using the back of your hand, or with a thermal camera and make your own excluders for free using old fabric scraps. Average saving: £80 per year.”
Thermal cameras are especially useful for detecting heat loss in properties, as they measure surface temperatures. Homeowners can see the warmest areas in red and the coldest in blue.
Addressing common heat loss points like windows, doors, and skirting boards can help keep your property warmer for longer, reducing the need to turn up the heating.
Those interested in using a thermal camera will find that many local councils offer them free of charge. The London Library of Things also rents out thermal cameras for just £15 daily, according to Which?. Many Octopus Energy customers can access these cameras as well, although the company’s initiative is currently paused for winter.
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