Is it best to leave your heating on constant?

According to the Energy Saving Trust, leaving your heating on all day generally uses more energy than only having it on when you need it if your home is heated by a boiler.

Instead, setting your heating around your daily routine can help reduce unnecessary energy use while keeping your home comfortable. The best approach will depend on your home, heating system, and how much time you spend at home.

What is the ideal temperature for your home in winter?

There isn't one ideal temperature for every household. Your preferred temperature can depend on your age, health, activity levels, personal preference, and how well your home retains heat.

Setting your thermostat higher won't make your home heat up any faster. Your heating system will simply continue running until it reaches the temperature you've selected, potentially using more energy than necessary.

If you're comfortable doing so, lowering your thermostat slightly could help reduce your energy use and heating costs. Even a small adjustment can make a difference over the course of winter.

How many hours a day should your heating be on?

There isn't a set number of hours that your heating should be on each day.

Instead, think about when you actually need your home to be warm. If you're out at work during the day, for example, you may only need your heating in the morning and again when you return home.

You can use a timer or programmer to create a schedule around your routine so your heating isn't running unnecessarily when nobody is home.

Every property is different, though. How quickly your home heats up and loses heat will depend on factors such as insulation, property size, outside temperature, and your heating system.

If you're at home throughout the day, you may naturally need your heating for longer. The important thing is to find a schedule that keeps your home comfortable without heating it more than necessary.

Is it cheaper to leave the heating on all day or turn it on and off?

If your home has an oil or gas boiler, leaving your heating on low all day isn't generally the most energy-efficient option.

A timer or programmer allows you to choose when your heating comes on and switches off, while your thermostat controls how warm your home gets during those periods.

If you're going away during winter, however, be careful about switching your heating system off completely. During particularly cold weather, frost protection may be needed to help prevent frozen pipes. Check your boiler manufacturer's guidance if you're unsure.

Heat pumps work differently from traditional boilers and are generally designed to maintain a steadier temperature, so this advice may not apply if your home uses one.

What is the most economical way to use central heating?

Having the right heating controls can make it easier to keep your home comfortable without using more energy than you need.

You don't necessarily need every room to be heated to exactly the same temperature either. Bedrooms, spare rooms and other areas you less frequently may not need as much heat as your main living spaces.

• Programmers and timers

  A programmer or timer lets you choose when your central heating comes on and switches off.

  Rather than leaving your heating running throughout the day, you can create a schedule around the times you're normally at home.

  Many modern controls also allow you to set different schedules for different days, giving you more flexibility between weekdays and weekends.

• Room thermostats

  A room thermostat monitors the temperature of your home and controls your heating accordingly.

  Once the room reaches the temperature you've selected, the thermostat tells your heating system to stop producing more heat. When the temperature drops again, the heating can switch back on.

  For most people, 18°C to 21°C is a useful starting point, but the right setting is the lowest temperature at which your household remains comfortably warm.

• Thermostatic radiator valves

  Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) allow you to adjust the temperature of individual radiators.

  For example, you may need more heat in a living room you use every evening but less in a spare bedroom that's rarely occupied.

  This gives you more control over where you're using energy rather than heating every room to the same level.

• Smart heating controls

  Smart heating controls allow you to manage your heating remotely using a smartphone, tablet, or other compatible device.

  Depending on the system, you may be able to adjust the temperature, change your heating schedule, or switch your heating on and off while you're away from home.

  Some systems may also learn your routine or use your location to adjust your heating automatically.

  Smart controls won't necessarily reduce your bills on their own, but they can make it easier to manage when and how your home is heated.

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