Energy supplier OVO is urging its customers across the UK to make a straightforward adjustment to their heating controls, which it claims could shave around £90 off their annual energy bills.
The Simple Thermostat Tweak
In guidance shared online in January, OVO Energy highlighted that being mindful of your thermostat settings is an effective way to conserve fuel and money. The company stated that turning down your room thermostat by just one degree could lead to savings of approximately £90 per year.
The firm recommends using room thermostats and thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) to set different temperatures for individual rooms, rather than heating the entire house to one level. This approach helps to prevent energy waste by ensuring only occupied spaces are warmed.
Smart Controls and Expert Agreement
OVO also pointed to the benefits of smart thermostats, which provide greater control by allowing users to adjust their home's temperature remotely via a smartphone or tablet.
This advice is echoed by rival provider Octopus Energy. In its own blog, Octopus cautions against frequently tweaking your thermostat like an on/off switch, as this can waste energy. Instead, they advocate setting it to your desired temperature and leaving it. An ideal range is between 18°C and 21°C, and they note that a one-degree reduction could save up to £145 annually.
Don't Let Draughts Undo Your Savings
Octopus Energy also emphasised a crucial complementary measure: draught-proofing. The firm warned that a continuous draught can negate the efficiency gains from your heating system, essentially throwing money away.
Identifying and sealing gaps around doors, windows, and other openings helps trap warmth inside, making your heating spend more effective. While professional draught-proofing can cost hundreds, homeowners can tackle it themselves. Using the back of your hand to feel for cold air or a thermal camera to visualise leaks are simple starting points. You can even create draught excluders from old fabric at no cost. Octopus estimates average savings from draught-proofing at £80 per year.
This guidance comes at a time when many households continue to grapple with high living costs, making such practical, no-cost or low-cost tips particularly valuable for managing essential expenses.
