Expert settles debate on if you should put heating on this week

Expert settles debate on if you should put heating on this week Energy-saving experts have told homeowners if they should put their heating on this week, or if they're reaching for the thermostat too soon to feel a real benefit An energy-saving expert has settled the debate on if homeowners should put their heating on this week following a change in the weather. After a boiling hot summer, the weather has changed drastically over the last couple of weeks, with the UK being battered by rain across a number of areas. However, summer is set to return this week, with an autumnal twist, as The Met Office is predicting heavy downpours to soak the UK as well as temperatures reaching over 20C. But the increased wind and rain have had homeowners pondering if they should turn the heating on for the first time this autumn and increase their energy bills. Now, an expert from Energy Saving Trust, a company dedicated to promoting energy efficiency, has settled the debate on if people in the UK should put their heating on this September. The expert said: "Generally, you should put the heating on when you start to feel cold. This is especially important if anyone in your home is; an older person, someone with a medical condition "We asked our social media community when they usually start to turn on their heating. More than half (58%) of people said they leave it as late as they can before they turn the heating on. And a third (33%) said they already had the heating on by mid-September. "You’ll often see it reported that people start heating their home once temperatures regularly drop to 15°C and below. According to the Met Office, this tends to be around October, but the occasional cold snap may have you reaching for that boiler switch sooner." According to the Met Office, The UK will be hit with heavy spells of rain until Wednesday, September 23, followed by frier, brighter and fresher days later on in the week. Temperatures will remain above 15C, with some areas in the south of England reaching 24C this week. With the weather not consistently dropping below 15C this week, people might want to wait a little bit longer before reaching for the thermostat or boiler controls. How keep your home warmer this Autumn As the days get a little bit colder, homeowners will be looking for ways to make the most out of their heating. Utility Bidder, a comparison website for business utility tariffs, has shared eight ways people can make the most out of their heating, without wasting money. The first method includes putting a shelf above your radiator. The business said: "A correctly positioned shelf above your radiator can help push warm air further into the room rather than letting it rise straight up." The second is making sure your thermostat is in the correct place, so it is measuring the temperature of the room and not an external heat source. They said: "Don’t hide your thermostat behind a sofa, radiator, curtain or furniture. "It needs to measure the room temperature accurately, and if it’s behind a heat source, the temperature could be misleading. Thermostats should have a free flow of air in the home." The next method surrounded when the heating should be turned on to make sure the warmth is retained. Utility Bidder said: "Make sure your heating is working around your routine, so your home is warm when you need it most. "Set your timers to come on just before you wake up or get home, and turn them off earlier in the evening to help your home retain its warmth without continuing to use energy when it’s no longer needed." They continued: " Thermostatic radiator valves allow you to control the temperature of individual rooms. Turn them up in the rooms you use most and lower them in those that are rarely occupied. Ensure you take care not to let unused rooms become excessively cold or damp.” Another method warned against homeowners from drying their clothes on radiators in the colder months as it can increase indoor moisture and restrict heat circulation. The comapany also encoraged homeowners to seal up draughts around doors, windows, and floorboards to prevent heatloss from rooms. The company said: "A letterbox is effectively a little hole straight through your front door. A letterbox brush or flap can reduce draughts. It’s a quick DIY job that can help retain the warmth in your home." A final tip the company gave was surrounding curtains being used to lock in heat. The company said: "Close curtains or blinds as the temperature drops in the evening to create an additional barrier against cold windows and reduce heat loss. "However, don’t let your curtain hang over a radiator, as it can trap heat between the curtain and the window instead of letting it circulate in the room."