Featured Image Credit: ITV
Topics: Martin Lewis, Cost of Living
James Moorhouse
Martin Lewis has answered the question we've all been looking for an answer to as the colder weather starts to arrive in the UK.
There has definitely been a bit of a chill in the air in recent days, with the nights drawing in and the rain rarely relenting up in the north of England.
We can stop discussing whether or not to have a fan on at night, or whether we should keep a window open during the hotter months, as the conversation switches to how the heck we're supposed to stay warm with the rising cost of energy bills.
Unless you've got a copious amount of blankets, thick jumpers and thermals, you're probably going to have to turn the heating on at some point in the next few months, with Brits no doubt already placing bets on who will be the first to buckle and pump the hot air through the house.
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Some folks with money to spare might argue that keeping the heating on low is the best way to approach it, rather than just blasting it when you wake up and when you're about to go to bed.
But now Martin Lewis, who is almost certainly the voice of authority when it comes to saving cash in the cost of living crisis, has had his say on what the best approach is if you want to avoid handing over your monthly pay to the energy companies.
The MSE team explains: "Leaving the heating on all day leads to greater heat loss and means higher cost.
"The main UK public body for reducing energy use and carbon emissions is the Energy Saving Trust. Its formal answer is that leaving the heating on all day consumes more fuel, leads to greater heat loss, and that means higher costs.
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"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 is best, so your thermostat turns your heating on and off to keep your home at the temperature you want."
The man himself also shared some more expert opinions while speaking on an episode of This Morning.
He said: "They say it's better to only put the heating on when you need it.
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"You pay to pump energy in as and when is needed, and to keep pumping it in constantly isn't efficient.
"Using a timer's best, because your thermostat is designed to turn your heating on and off to keep your home at the temperature you set it at. So in general I'd stick with that."
So, there you have it. Martin Lewis' word is often gospel, and when I do eventually cave in and stick the heating on, I'll make sure to do it for as little time as possible.