Money hacks How to stay warm and save on winter heating bills

"When it comes to staying warm and saving energy, small changes can make a big difference," says Sarah Pennells, a consumer finance specialist at the investment company Royal London.

- Aneesa Ahmed

First, use a timer if your boiler or thermostat has one.

For more control, you could switch to a smart thermostat, which will connect your heating system to the internet. This will let you control your thermostat remotely, usually through a mobile app, meaning you can turn your heating off or down if you have had an unexpected change of plan. A smart thermostat effectively adds a timer to a boiler. You can then use the app to schedule heating and hot water.

Smart thermostats vary and can offer different features, including multi-room control, hot water control, and “geofencing” to track when you leave and enter your home. They typically cost between £60 and £250, depending on the make and model.

Some can be fitted without help, such as the Bosch Room Thermostat II (£69.99 on Amazon); others, such as the Hive Thermostat V4 (£155 on B&Q) require professional fitting. This can normally be booked through the retailer, but may incur an additional cost.

Some energy suppliers offer deals on smart thermostats made by companies they have partnerships with, such as Octopus Energy's partnership with tado°, which gives customers up to 50% off tado products. A Wireless Smart Thermostat X Starter Kit is £112, down from £159.99.

Reduce temperatures

Turning down your thermostat from 22C to 21C can save a typical household £90 a year in Great Britain, according to the Energy Saving Trust. For most people, a comfortable temperature falls somewhere between 18C and 21C. According to Citizens Advice, every degree you turn your thermostat down can save you about 10% on your energy bill, but it warns that if you are elderly or have a health condition you shouldn't set it below 21C.