# Martin Lewis Addresses Heating Efficiency Debate Expert guidance clarifies whether constant heating or on-demand usage saves more energy. - **Source:** [Daily Express :: Finance Feed](https://www.express.co.uk) - **Published:** 2026-10-18 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/1f676d58-3bbb-4846-9d96-1990c1f843fb ## Clarifying the Heating Myth Martin Lewis and his Money Saving Expert team have addressed the persistent debate regarding whether leaving heating on all day is cheaper. They clarified that no single definitive answer exists for every household. The complexity depends heavily on individual heating systems, specific usage patterns, home insulation quality, and the overall building structure. ## Standard Boiler System Advice For households utilizing traditional boilers, the Energy Saving Trust advises against keeping the heating on continuously. They state that maintaining constant heat usage consumes more energy and increases monthly bills. It is significantly more efficient to activate the boiler only when heat is required, rather than running it throughout the entire day. ## Heat Pump Operational Strategy The guidance shifts significantly for homes equipped with heat pumps instead of standard boilers. In these specific cases, leaving the heating on all day is actually more cost-effective. Homeowners are encouraged to review specific efficiency advice for heat pumps to maximize savings, as these systems operate differently than traditional gas or electric boilers. ## The Low and Slow Method Some modern boiler systems benefit from the 'low and slow' approach. This involves setting the boiler to a constant, lower temperature, such as 18C or 19C, rather than cycling it on and off. This method can help the boiler recover waste heat and operate with higher efficiency in well-insulated modern home environments. ## Conducting Personal Energy Experiments MSE suggests that homeowners conduct their own experiments to determine the best strategy for their specific property. By testing a constant low setting for one week and comparing it against on-demand usage the following week, residents can identify the most cost-effective approach based on their actual meter readings and unique household energy consumption. ## Seasonal Heating Trends Data indicates that heating usage patterns shift significantly as autumn approaches. According to the Energy Saving Trust, approximately 48% of households reactivate their heating systems in September. By October, the vast majority of households have resumed regular heating usage, making this the critical period for homeowners to evaluate their energy management strategies. ## Avoiding Misleading Clickbait Advice Martin Lewis explicitly warned against clickbait publications that falsely attribute a single, universal answer to him. He emphasizes that he is not a heating engineer or physicist. Relying on generic advice can be counterproductive, as energy efficiency is highly dependent on the specific technical configuration of the heating system installed in the home. ## Data-Driven Decision Making The core takeaway is that energy efficiency is not one-size-fits-all. Whether using a boiler or a heat pump, homeowners must prioritize empirical evidence from their own meter readings. By moving away from generalized advice and focusing on system-specific performance, residents can make informed decisions that effectively lower their overall energy expenditure this winter. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.express.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/2258321/martin-lewis-leave-heating-on-all-day — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._