I requested consultants the most effective thermostat temperature — all of them agreed on 1 quantity
With cold weather and snow forecast, heating experts share the ideal thermostat temperature range to keep bills low whilst staying warm — and they all recommend the same setting
With the bitter weather now well and truly here, and forecasts predicting snow and freezing temperatures, we’ll all be searching for ways to keep our central heating bills as manageable as possible, particularly since it now costs roughly £600 more annually to heat our homes than it did in 2022.
The encouraging news is that there are ways to slash your heating bills without spending a penny, potentially cutting your costs by well over £100 each year.
The Express consulted over 100 specialists on how to keep bills down, and one point they all endorsed was the optimal thermostat setting.
Nick Duggan, managing director at The Radiator Centre, explained: “The ideal temperature for a room is between 18-21°C.
“Every extra degree adds around 10% to the average heating bill so it’s important to ensure your radiators are working as efficiently as possible.”
An Octopus Energy representative emphasised that proper thermostat use was crucial: “Using it like an on/off switch or ‘boost’ button can actually waste energy, as the system works harder to reheat the space.
“You’ll stay comfier — and use energy more efficiently – by setting it to come on only when you need it and leaving it steady between 18-21°C. Turning it down by just one degree could save up to £145 a year.”
Fiona Peake, a household finance expert at Ocean Finance, advises: “Many Brits are cranking the thermostat up high to ‘heat the home faster’. In reality, your boiler works at the same pace no matter what temperature you set. All you are doing is overshooting the temperature and wasting energy. Instead, set the thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting, usually around 18-21°C, and let it run steadily.”
Gav Murray, Hive heating director, recommends: “Hive advises people to set their main thermostat between 18°C and 21°C, with most Hive thermostat users choosing to set theirs to 18°C.
“For an average household, lowering the temperature by just one degree could save as much as £115 a year, and spring is the best time to give this a go as it’s not too cold outside.”
Adam Knight, lead engineer at BOXT, suggests: “Keep it simple and steady. Set the thermostat to a realistic target, about 18-20°C for most homes during the day, with a small adjustment for nighttime, usually around 16-17°C, rather than switching off.”
Ricky Sharma from Engineering Real Results (ERR), a training organisation for trades such as heating engineers and plumbers, states: “Most homes are comfortable at between 18°C and 21°C, so if you usually keep it higher, try turning it down a little and adding an extra layer of clothing instead.
“Lowering your thermostat by just 1°C could cut your bill by around 10%, according to the Energy Saving Trust, which equates to an average of £120 a year back in your pocket.”
Matthew Sheeran from Money Wellness, a body tasked by the government’s Money and Pensions Service to offer free advice on saving money, managing debt and maximising income, stated: “Turning your thermostat down by 1°C can cut bills by up to 10% and using a timer to heat your home only when needed avoids wasted energy.”
