Martin Lewis verdict on keeping the heating on low all day — Money Saving Expert issues clear guidance
money saving expert Martin Lewis has delivered a definitive answer on whether leaving the heating on low all day saves money, urging people to turn off radiators in unused rooms; the guidance was updated on March 17 (ET) and is aimed at those facing unaffordable energy bills and others seeking greener choices.
Key guidance and the central claim
Martin Lewis and his Money Saving Expert team advise against the blanket practice of running central heating continuously to save cash. The guidance’s core rule is simple: turn off radiators in rooms you are not using and focus on keeping people warm, not the whole house — summed up as ‘heat the person not the home’. The guidance was refreshed on March 17 (ET) and is presented as practical options for those in financial difficulty as well as for households wanting to reduce energy use.
Money Saving Expert: practical tips and quoted warnings
Martin Lewis wrote: “This is a guide I really wish we needn’t be publishing. The reason I asked Sarah and the team to put this together is due to my overflowing email bag of desperation from people who can’t afford their energy bills. ” He added a caveat for vulnerable groups: “It may be dangerous for older people, or those with asthma and other health conditions. If in doubt, consult your GP and follow their advice. ” Age UK is cited in the guidance as stressing that older people should do all they can to stay warm.
On simple measures, Lewis recommended: “If you’ve got radiators in rooms that you’re not using, go and turn them off before you turn the heating on so you’re not wasting cash overheating empty spaces. ” He also highlighted a boiler setting change: “Changing the flow rate on your boiler can cut gas bill by over 9% and you won’t notice the change. “
Appliances, heat loss and broader context
The guidance singles out high-cost appliances as part of the household bill picture. Lewis called the tumble dryer the “real ‘demon appliance'” for many, noting typical cycle costs and urging alternatives such as airers or dehumidifiers. The Energy Saving Trust is referenced for its conclusion that keeping heating running continuously uses more fuel, increases heat loss and therefore raises costs — reinforcing the ‘don’t run it all day’ position for most homes where it is safe to do so.
Immediate reactions and practical cautions
Martin Lewis framed the guidance as an emergency set of options for those in financial desperation and as a resource for greener choices. He warned renters to check tenancy agreements in case landlords require regular heating use or a minimum temperature. The guidance explicitly addresses mental-health and physical-health trade-offs, noting some people find a cold home affects motivation and wellbeing.
What happens next: households weighing whether to keep heating on low should review the Money Saving Expert guidance, consider radiator-by-radiator control, and seek clinical advice where health is a concern. Watch for further updates from the Money Saving Expert team and for any follow-up measures aimed at vulnerable groups; this guidance was updated on March 17 (ET) and will be the baseline for any future clarifications from Martin Lewis and his team.
For now, the repeated takeaway from the money saving expert guidance is clear: avoid heating empty rooms, consider boiler flow-rate adjustments, and use lower-cost drying or dehumidifying methods where appropriate.
