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OVO Energy has revealed a straightforward method that could potentially cut heating bills by as much as £90 annually - requiring only one minor tweak. The energy supplier published this advice in January as part of a collection of cost-saving recommendations online, at a time when households nationwide are grappling with escalating expenses.

Based on information from multiple sources, OVO Energy indicated that reducing your thermostat by merely one degree could prove crucial in lowering these costs. It highlighted that smart thermostats can be especially beneficial for this purpose, as they provide enhanced control over your heating system.

The energy firm said: "Keeping an eye on your thermostat and turning it down when you don't need it is an easy way to save fuel and money on your bills. You could save around £90 a year simply by turning it down one degree.

"Using room thermostats and thermostatic radiator controls also let you set the temperature for each room, instead of having one dedicated temperature for the whole house. This helps to stop energy waste by only heating the rooms that you're using.

"Smart thermostats are good too, as they give you greater control over your central heating by letting you remotely control your home's temperature via a tablet or smartphone."

OVO Energy is far from the only provider advocating this approach. Guidance from Octopus Energy likewise suggests that adjusting your thermostat could reduce energy wastage and improve efficiency.

Octopus Energy's calculations vary significantly from OVO Energy's figures, suggesting households could potentially cut up to £145 from their annual energy costs by adopting this approach. "Tweaking your thermostat (using it as an on/off switch or boost for example) can mean more energy is wasted - you'll be comfier and use your energy more efficiently if you set it and leave it on for when you need it," the firm's blog reads.

"Setting your thermostat to somewhere between 18-21°c is ideal, and turning down the temperature by just 1 degree could save up to £145 on your energy bill."

Both Octopus Energy and OVO Energy provide numerous other money-saving recommendations on their websites, too. Another crucial suggestion concerns draught-proofing, which means sealing gaps surrounding doors, windows, and chimneys to prevent warmth from escaping from your home.

Overlooking these areas could explain why your thermostat needs constant adjustment. Octopus Energy's online guidance adds: "A continuous draught can quickly undo all the good work of your heating - essentially wasting energy.

"Identifying and plugging up draughts around doors, windows and other gaps can help trap warmth in and make your gas spend go further...Professional draught-proofing can cost a few hundred pounds. You can also find draughts yourself using the back of your hand, or with a thermal camera and make your own excluders for free using old fabric scraps. Average saving: £80 per year."

Thermal cameras, which measure surface temperatures, are particularly effective in identifying heat loss in properties. They allow homeowners to visualise the warmest areas in red and the coldest in blue.

By addressing typical heat loss points such as windows, doors, and skirting boards, you can maintain a warmer property for longer periods, reducing the necessity to crank up the heating.

For those considering using a thermal camera, many local councils provide them at no cost. The London Library of Things also rents out thermal cameras for just £15 daily, according to Which?. Many Octopus Energy customers can access these cameras as well, although the company's initiative is currently paused for winter.

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