Central heating: THIS trick will SLASH utility bills – and it doesn’t cost a penny

Winter is approaching in the UK, and the heating has been switched on in most homes as Britons battle the cold.

But enjoying a warm and cosy home has to be squared up with the rising cost of utility bills.

There are many ways to fight expensive bills, although some of them will cost money.

Now energy supplier Npower has revealed one trick both homeowners and renters can do to boost the temperature in their home without spending a penny.

They advised to “make the most of natural heat”, and said: “If you’ve got a conservatory or patio doors that catch the sun, keep the curtains open during the sunniest part of the day and let the warmth in.

“Don’t forget to shut them again once the sun goes down or you’ll be losing heat again fairly quickly.”

This was not their only money-saving tip, and they revealed programming the thermostat could save as much as £85 a year.

Npower said: “Reduce the temperature in your home by just 1ºC and you could reduce your heating bill by up to £85 each year.

“So if you’ve got yours higher than 21ºC turn the thermostat down just a little and see if you notice any difference (it’ll take a few hours to adjust).

“Remember, the recommended temperature is 18ºC – 21ºC and 21ºC for young children and older people.”

Some people try to save money by switching the heating on and off – but is this actually cheaper?

Martin Lewis advised viewers of This Morning it is best to use a timer to turn heating on and off to save money.

He said earlier this month: “They say it’s better to only put the heating on when you need it – as you pay to pump energy in as and when is needed, and to keep pumping it in constantly isn’t efficient.

“Using a timer’s best, because your thermostat is designed to turn your heating on and off to keep your home at the temperature you set it. So in general I’d stick with that.”

However, keeping the heating on all day is good for people in certain scenarios, including people who have damp.

He said: “There are some engineers though who argue that keeping the heating on low with all the radiators on and the boiler down can work as it reduces condensation, which when the heating is turned off collects within the walls, and can help conduct heat outside the home – meaning you lose heat more quickly and so will use more energy as a result.”