It's been absolutely freezing in the UK in the last couple of weeks and nearly everyone will have had to turn their heating on as a way of staying warm.
While we all try to avoid it for as long as possible in the winter, especially with the rising cost of energy bills, it's been impossible not to have a bit of warmth in recent times as temperatures dropped well below freezing.
The last thing you want after coming in from a wet and windy walk, or even a snowy one, is to arrive in a cold house but it's also important to find a balance of when you most need the radiators to be blasting out a bit of heat, as several layers simply aren't enough.
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With the UK dealing with some of the 'worst snow for a decade' earlier this week, a lot of people will be left asking about the best way to heat their home without producing a horribly overpriced bill.
Fortunately, when the world needed a hero, one man stepped up. And that man's name is Martin Lewis (AKA the Money Saving Expert).
The 53-year-old, who is almost certainly the voice of authority when it comes to saving cash in the cost of living crisis, had his say on what the best approach is if you want to avoid handing over your monthly pay to the energy companies.
Should I keep the heating on low all day or turn it on when needed?
The MSE team explains: "Leaving the heating on all day leads to greater heat loss and means higher cost.
"The main UK public body for reducing energy use and carbon emissions is the Energy Saving Trust. Its formal answer is that leaving the heating on all day consumes more fuel, leads to greater heat loss, and that means higher costs.
"The concept is simple: pump heat into your home when you need it; don't pay to keep pumping it when you don't.
"It says this is the best way to save energy and money. Using a timer is best, so your thermostat turns your heating on and off to keep your home at the temperature you want."
The man himself, who recently revealed the most common way that Brits get themselves into debt, also added a bit more on the topic during an appearance on This Morning.
He said: "They say it's better to only put the heating on when you need it.
"You pay to pump energy in as and when is needed, and to keep pumping it in constantly isn't efficient.
"Using a timer's best, because your thermostat is designed to turn your heating on and off to keep your home at the temperature you set it at. So in general I'd stick with that."
There you have it guys, but if you're anything like me, you'll probably wait until you start to feel the cold with at least five layers on before you buckle. Just don't forget to turn it off again once the house is heated.
Topics: Cost of Living, Martin Lewis, Money, Weather, Home
James Moorhouse