Martin Lewis' MSE finally settles the argument about whether painting your radiators black will save you money

The financial guru gave his expert advice after being asked about a supposed money-saving hack on his moneysaving expert site

Financial expert Martin Lewis has finally settled the argument about whether painting your radiators black will save you money.

The Money Saving Expert gave his expert advice after being asked about the supposed hack on an online energy platform. On is platform he has section which puts to bed common myths about energy usage. He says there are many urban myths to save cash on your energy bills but admits that "many are a bit rubbish" But he does point out that some offer cheap ways to reduce your monthly bills by cutting your energy use.

In a round up of common misconceptions below the site took advice from experts at the Energy Saving Trust. They also asked British Gas and experts such as an independent plumber. The information was also gleaned from people trying to save money on social platforms Facebook, Twitter and the MSE Forum. Not everyone agreed with every point and the Money Saving Expert said there was not definitive answer but the research should help informed decision to be made.

The thorny question of the colour of your radiators was raised on the forum when one poster asked if he could save money by changing the colour of paint on his radiators. He said: "Would painting my radiators black help?" But Martin was quick to rubbish his suggestion and said the answer was "no". He said: "Where painting your radiators black is concerned, the answer's no, according to the Energy Saving Trust. It's best to keep them the standard white, although the difference is not huge."

The Mirror reported Brits trying to stay warm in cold weather were warned they could end up 'burning' their house to the ground. Swathes of social media users promoted a cheap hack that they say will provide a burst of warmth in your home without breaking the bank. But experts have warned the seemingly-smart trick could have 'deadly consequences', especially for households with young children or older relatives.

Adeel Ul-Haq from BunkBeds.co.uk has urged Brits not to light candles and place a terracotta plant pot on top to create a DIY heater. The expert said: "There are so many dangers with this hack from burning yourself on the terracotta pots to the candle glass exploding and the candles tipping over and causing a blaze within your home,"

"Those with younger kids are also at more risk as they could hit these pots over or try picking them up as they won't associate the danger of a pot with high heat. "The heat output from these devices is more than likely minimal too so it's just not worth the risk." Instead of potentially torching your house down, Adeel recommended those unwilling to nudge the thermostat up to invest in a better bedding.