State pensioners who’ve lost the £300 Winter Fuel Payment have been urged to refrain from turning up the thermostat. State pensioners who had the £300 Winter Fuel Allowance axed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have been issued the warning.

The experts at MakeMyHouseGreen have said adjusting your thermostat settings before the weather turns this weekend could save you cash. Llewellyn Kinch, the leading energy specialist and founder of MakeMyHouseGreen, says by reprogramming your thermostat to only come on when needed this weekend, you could be saving money.

Mr Kinch said: “This helps reduce overall energy consumption, as your system only runs when needed.” 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.”

Smart thermostats are a nifty piece of kit that connects your heating system to the internet. At their most basic level, smart thermostats will let you set up a schedule for when your heating comes on and turns off, and the temperature.

The experts said: “Well-maintained central heating is still more efficient for larger areas.” 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.”

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 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.” You can programme a schedule to suit your needs, or boost the heat if you’re cold and turn it off when you’re too toasty.