As energy prices soar, Brits are looking for ways to heat their homes without breaking the bank.

With winter on the horizon, many are falling for so-called money-saving hacks that promise to slash bills, but not all these tricks actually work.

Amidst this sea of advice, experts from MakeMyHouseGreen have surfaced with a tip that could genuinely cut costs. They suggest a simple tweak to your thermostat settings before winter bites could lead to significant savings with minimal effort.

They recommend taking a few minutes to change the settings on your home thermostat before the cold weather kicks in.

This one change that will only take a few minutes to set up could see Brits make big savings on their energy bills for very little effort.

The experts claim that leaving the heating on constantly to maintain warmth is a myth. They explain that modern systems can quickly achieve the right temperature, making continuous heating both inefficient and expensive.

Llewellyn Kinch, the energy guru and CEO of MakeMyHouseGreen, instead champions programmable thermostats and smart systems for their ability to tailor heating schedules, ensuring your system operates only when necessary, reports the Mirror. 

“This helps reduce overall energy consumption, as your system only runs when needed,” asserts Kinch. While he acknowledges exceptions like heat pumps, which run more steadily, for the majority, the practice of leaving the heating on all day is simply wasteful.

A home thermostat is a device that helps control the temperature within your home. It measures the current indoor temperature and compares it to the desired temperature set by the homeowner.

If there’s a discrepancy, it signals the heating system to either switch on or off to achieve the set temperature. Home thermostats enhance comfort and energy efficiency by ensuring the home is heated only when necessary, which could save you money this winter.

The experts have shared some more advice that could also help to keep costs down this winter, dispelling myths often shared online.

Avoid turning up the thermostat

The experts said: “Turning up the thermostat doesn’t speed up heating; it only raises the final temperature and can overheat the home, as systems work at a constant rate.”

Use electric heaters sparingly

While electric heaters are effective for small spaces, they cost more when used as a primary heat source. The experts said: “Well-maintained central heating is still more efficient for larger areas.”

Ensure your home is well-insulated

According to the experts, it’s not only open doors and windows that let the heat out.

They said: “Heat is lost through poor insulation, unsealed gaps, and insufficient weather stripping, so it’s important to address all areas of your home for better heat retention.”

Solar panels still work in the winter

If you have previously invested in solar panels to help power your home, the experts urge homeowners to remember that they still work in winter, producing substantial energy despite shorter days.

They also believe that the cold weather can even help them operate more efficiently.

Speaking about the potential risks of seeking out money-saving advice online, Llewellyn Kinch, energy expert and CEO of MakeMyHouseGreen said: “A lot of people have misguided ideas about heating, which might actually make their homes less energy- and cost-efficient. This issue becomes especially urgent during winter, when heating costs are high, and households are eager to find ways to lower their bills.

Kinch advises consumers to be cautious and to fact-check before adopting any online energy-saving strategies.