'Ideal temperature' you should set heating to - and it's lower than you think

Energy expert James Longley has revealed the exact temperature your home should stay at during the colder months to protect your health and stop issues like mould and frozen pipes from occurring

It's getting close to 'just put another jumper on' season, and we're all dreading it.

With cooler temperatures sweeping in across the UK, many households are noticing the chill in the home. It will soon be time to put the heating back on, but with Ofgem's latest energy cap seeing bills rise once again - most Brits are being hesitant with the thermostat.

Having the house too hot can be extremely expensive and wasteful, but go too cold and you risk your pipes freezing, mould and mildew growing, and a pile of laundry that never dries and needs re-washing. Frozen pipes and spores across your bathroom can pose a huge threat to your finances - and leave you with a bigger bill than your heating would've totalled up to in the first place.

Energy expert James Longley of Utility Bidder recommends keeping your home between 18 and 21 degrees celsius during the colder months. This is backed by the World Health Organisation who say 18C is a 'safe and well-balanced' indoor temperature to help protect our health.

"However, for the young, old or those who are unwell, 20 degrees is considered to be more appropriate," James added. "Many people would presume that turning the thermostat down low is beneficial, but while it might save you some money in the short term, it is putting your health at risk and you'll find that you have the heating on for longer as it won't heat the home as efficiently as it would if the thermostat is set between 16 to 21 celsius."

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From October 2024, the energy price cap will be set at an average of £1,717 a year for a typical dual-fuel household paying by direct debit. This means the average household will see their bills spike by 10 per cent, or £149, if the cap maintains for a full 12 months. The price cap level for someone paying by pre-payment meter is slightly lower at £1,669 a year, while for someone paying on receipt of bill, the figure is £1,829.

"We know that this rise in the price cap is going to be extremely difficult for many households," said Ofgem CEO Jonathan Brearely. "Anyone who is struggling to pay their bill should make sure they have access to all the benefits they are entitled to, particularly pension credit, and contact their energy company for further help and support."

If you're getting behind with your energy bills or struggling to meet payments, you can get help here.

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