UK households with thermostat 'in wrong place' face £230 charge

The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has advised fitting thermostatic radiator valves, as well as a programmer and a room thermostat, to help optimise your central heating system.

UK households have been warned their thermostat is in the wrong place in your home and it’s adding HUNDREDS to bills. The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has advised fitting thermostatic radiator valves, as well as a programmer and a room thermostat, to help optimise your central heating system.

Joanna Flowers, service and repair engineer at British Gas, explained: “When deciding where to place your thermostat, the main thing is to ensure you don’t place it somewhere colder or warmer than the centre of your home.

"If you place your thermostat in the heart of your home - we often suggest internal hallways or living rooms – it will make sure you get your desired temperature and save on bills by only using as much heating as you need."

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The EST says together the controls could reduce your energy bills by £95 annually. A spokesperson said: “Room thermostats need a free flow of air to sense the temperature, so they should not be blocked by curtains or furniture, or placed near heat sources that could give them false readings.

“If you’re feeling warm enough, lowering your thermostat from 22°C to 21°C can save you £80 annually. Reducing it further from 21°C to 18°C can save you £230 each year. The World Health Organisation states that the most comfortable temperature range for most people is between 18°C and 21°C.”

British Gas’ Flowers advised: “We suggest an interior wall as external walls are often much cooler, so the thermostat will tell the boiler to warm the house up when it might not need to. It should be at medium height because heat rises and you should avoid it being too close to radiators, cookers, direct sunlight or near draughts.”

The heating experts at Bestheating.com advise avoiding direct sunlight, the kitchen, near windows or doors, in the hallway, above air vents and above a radiator.