Debate over whether it's cheaper to leave heating constantly on has been solved

As we head into the coldest months of the year, there's no doubt that fights over the thermostat are set to resume imminently.

And, with energy prices at an all time hight, the debate over how best to heat our homes is fiercer, and arguably more important, than ever.

But what's the best way to stay cosy while keep our energy use, and therefore energy bills, as low as possible? Is it better to crank the heating up as and when we need it or should we leave the thermostat on all the time but at a much lower level?

The team at MoneySavingExpert admits that the issue isn't completely 'clear-cut' and says the most economical option largely depends on the amount of energy your particular home needs.

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Having researched all of the options, the experts shared a blog post breaking it all down for us.

Saying the topic is a 'hotly debated one', the MSE team wrote: "According to experts at the Energy Saving Trust, the idea it's cheaper to leave the heating on low all day is a myth.

"They're clear that having the heating on only when you need it is, in the long run, the best way to save energy, and therefore money."

A timer's best as your thermostat turns your heating on and off to keep your home at the temperature you set.

"The key thing to understand here is that it's all about the total amount of energy required to heat your home.

"It's a given that a certain amount of energy is constantly leaking out of your home (how much will depend on how good your insulation is).

"The Energy Saving Trust says if you're keeping the heating on all day you're losing energy all day, so it's better to heat your home only when you need it.

"However, it's not quite that clear-cut. Some specialists disagree - and argue you should keep the heating on constantly for an entirely different reason.

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"They advocate keeping the heating on low all day, turning all radiator valves up to the max and the boiler down to the minimum, and say the problem with turning the heating on and off is that every time it's turned off, condensation collects within the walls.

"This condensation can help conduct heat outside the home, they say - meaning you leak heat more quickly and so will use more energy as a result."

They also took into account what consumers were saying over on the MSE forum, adding: "Some complain only having the heating on when required risks you being cold, as it takes time to heat up homes.

"That may be true, but this is a MoneySaving site, so we're focused on cost.

"As a balance, you could switch the timer on a little earlier, so the house will be warm when needed, but you're not pumping out energy all day."