Martin Lewis explains if it’s cheaper to leave heating on low all day or not

The BBC Sounds podcast host spoke out as energy bills continue to be sky-high at £1717.
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Martin Lewis has explained whether it's cheaper to leave your heating on low all day - or switch it on and off - in an update for energy bill payers. The BBC Sounds podcast host spoke out as energy bills continue to be sky-high at £1717.

Martin Lewis said: "They say it's better to only put the heating on when you need it. You pay to pump energy in as and when is needed, and to keep pumping it in constantly isn't efficient." He said: "There are some engineers who argue that keeping the heating on low with all the radiators on and the boiler down can work as it reduces condensation, which when the heating is turned off collects within the walls, and can help conduct heat outside the home."

He added: "This means you lose heat more quickly and will use more energy as a result. So if your house is prone to that you may want to think about it." On its website, Money Saving Expert explains: "The main UK public body for reducing energy use and carbon emissions is the Energy Saving Trust.

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"Its formal answer is that leaving the heating on all day consumes more fuel, leads to greater heat loss, and that means higher costs. The concept is simple: pump heat into your home when you need it; don't pay to keep pumping it when you don't.

"It says this is the best way to save energy and money (using a timer's best, so your thermostat turns your heating on and off to keep your home at the temperature you want)." Ultimately, there are arguments for and against it, and it'll likely depend on the type of heating system, your usage pattern, and what type of home and insulation you have, MSE goes on to add.

It added: "Perhaps the best advice is to try an experiment. Try a few days or a week with your heating on a constant low setting and then try only having the heating come on as and when you need it over the same time period and compare the energy use."