Martin Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert has examined the age-old heating debate with experts
Emilia Randall GAU Writer
10:18, 05 Jan 2026
Martin Lewis has settled the debate(Image: ITV)
The heating season has begun, reigniting the age-old discussion about whether to leave your heating on continuously or switch it on and off as needed.
Advocates of the “low and slow” method argue that keeping radiators on a consistent low temperature heats your home more effectively.
However, this approach has its critics who firmly reject the idea.
Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert has now revealed the best approach.
Based on research from the Energy Saving Trust, British Gas, an independent plumber, and feedback from MoneySavers on social media – this is the most comprehensive advice currently available, reports the Express.
The conclusion seems to be that “leaving the heating on all day leads to greater heat loss and means higher cost”, according to MSE.
That said, both perspectives in the heating debate hold some validity – with room for variation based on individual circumstances.
It can be difficult to know when to switch on the heating and for how long(Image: Getty)
The Energy Saving Trust argues that running heating constantly is less cost-effective.
It suggests the better method is to provide warmth to your property only when needed – meaning you’re only paying when it’s actually required.
Using a programmable thermostat is the most efficient way to achieve your preferred home temperature at the times you need it.
However, Heat Geek suggests that if you have a modern boiler or heat pump, are at home all day, or spend most of your evenings and weekends at home, the ‘low and slow’ method is the way to go. Heat pumps, a low-carbon form of electric heating, extract heat from the outside environment, while modern condensing boilers recover some waste heat before it escapes – these boilers were installed after 2005.
In such cases, keeping your home at a consistent 18 or 19°C could be more energy-efficient.
Low temperatures and slow heating responsiveness – meaning you resist the urge to crank up your heating when you feel chilly – allows the boiler to reclaim more waste heat.
However, this might not be the most effective strategy if you’re often out of the house or if your walls are made of plasterboard (which heats up faster). But if you have cavity wall and loft insulation or underfloor heating, the ‘low and slow’ approach is ideal.
Some suggest that the advantage of ‘low and slow’ is that it prevents condensation from building up within the walls each time the heating is turned off, which can transfer heat outside your home and potentially promote damp and mould.
Since there’s no definitive answer, MSE suggests a trial and error method – comparing energy consumption with each technique.
Record meter readings at the start and end of each experiment and compare them – but try to ensure the temperatures of the weeks you are testing are similar.
