British Gas, Octopus, Eon, EDF and OVO customers told heating 'myth' costing them money

Households have been told to ignore a so-called heating hack which claims to save money on energy bills. Experts have dismissed the widely-shared household tip and say it doesn't work, and could actually end up costing more.

The common claim is that keeping the heating on low all day is more cost effective than turning it on and off. But energy experts say this will only result in heat quickly being lost from homes and boilers having to work harder to warm them up again.

They say modern boilers are designed to work in short bursts and warm homes quickly, with the optimum temperature being between 18C and 21C. Gordon Wallis, energy expert at Your NRG, said: "There’s a widespread belief that turning the heating on and off wastes energy because of the effort needed to reheat a cold house.

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"However, modern boilers are designed to work efficiently in short bursts, meaning it’s more economical to only heat your home when necessary. Leaving the heating on all day, even at a lower setting, means your system is constantly battling against heat loss, which leads to unnecessary expense.

"Most people feel comfortable when their home is between 18C and 21C, but this doesn’t mean you need to keep the heating on continuously to achieve that. A timer can help turn the heating on only when you need it. You should also focus on heating occupied rooms, keeping radiator valves in unused spaces turned down to save energy. This way, you can maintain a comfortable temperature without excessive energy use.

"It’s often more effective to keep yourself warm rather than heating the entire house unnecessarily. Layering up with a jumper, using a hot water bottle, or even having a warm drink can go a long way in reducing your reliance on heating. It’s also important to address the root cause of heat loss by improving insulation and sealing draughts, which will help keep your home warm without the need for constant heating."