Thermostat: expert explains what not to do when it gets colder

An energy expert told The Mirror that raising the thermostat won’t make a home heat faster and shared reported ways to reduce heat loss and manage heating during possible colder spells.

The UK has seen a recent cold snap and the Met Office has warned of the possibility of further colder spells later in January and into February. Energy specialists told The Mirror that now is a useful time to check how homes retain heat and how heating controls are used. Joanna O'Loan of the Energy Saving Trust and Sam Jump of the Wunda Group discussed common household steps and longer-term investments that affect warmth and energy use. The conversation focused on thermostat use, reducing heat loss and protecting plumbing in very low temperatures. Key points: - The article reports that raising the thermostat does not make a home reach the set temperature faster; it may only take longer in colder weather, according to Joanna O'Loan. - O'Loan recommends using a programmer and thermostat so heating starts about 30 minutes before waking and switches off about 30 minutes before bed, and notes a general comfortable range of about 18°C to 21°C for most households while saying heat pump systems have different guidance. - Sam Jump highlights that homes can lose an estimated 10–20% of heat through windows and external doors and names energy-efficient glazing, thermal doors and heavy curtains as ways to reduce that loss. - Simple measures reported in the article include ensuring thermostats have unobstructed airflow, keeping curtains drawn at night, sealing gaps such as keyholes, and using draught excluders or an external letterbox. - The piece notes frost protection settings or keeping a thermostat at around 13°C when away as a reported way to reduce the risk of frozen pipes, and that radiators in unused rooms can be turned down rather than switched off, with a different approach for homes with heat pumps. - The article states that A-rated boilers convert over 90% of fuel into heat, gives an approximate installed cost for a gas boiler of £3,700, and reports that heat pump systems typically have higher upfront costs (around £7,000–£12,000) with grants available. Summary: Households are being reminded to balance warmth and energy use as colder weather may return, with experts quoted about thermostat behaviour, heat loss and system settings. Undetermined at this time.