Heating the home: How much can you save by lowering your thermostat?

Maintaining the ideal home temperature can be tricky as we all feel comfortable at different temperatures. While turning down your central heating thermostat by 1°C might be fine for some, others may prefer a higher temperature. What’s most important is that you and your household stay warm and comfortable.

In most households, central heating thermostats are typically set between 18 and 21°C. A good way to figure out what temperature is best for your home is simply to test it out. Try setting your thermostat at 18°C and slowly adjusting the temperature each day until you find a temperature you are most comfortable. In the long run, this could also help you save energy.

According to the NHS, your home should be heated to at least 18° C, particularly in rooms that you regularly use such as your bedroom or living room. This is especially important if you have members of your household who are considered vulnerable, for example elderly people, children, or those with chronic illnesses.

In their Cold Weather Plan for England, the UK Government’s Health Security Agency advises homes should be heated to at least 18° C.

If you are worried about the rising cost of energy and being able to pay your energy bills, we have information on the support and help which may be available.

You can also find out more about the support available from the government including energy saving tips on the GOV.UK website.

The appliance energy calculator below will show how the price cap change could affect the cost of using everyday household appliances. Simply update the drop-down buttons with your estimated usage to see the costs.

The energy calculator below will show how the price cap change could affect the cost of using everyday household appliances. Simply update the drop-down buttons with your estimated usage to see the costs. 
  
The calculator below will show a cost estimate for the current price cap (April-June 2026), and compare that to the previous price cap (January-March 2026), and the price cap before that (October-December 2025). So, you can see how your energy bills might have changed over time. 
 
Please note: The electricity used by domestic appliances can vary depending on make and model, so we’ve used average power ratings. We have also used the price cap figures for a standard variable rate, so this calculator doesn't take into consideration any fixed tariffs or additional costs. 
  
This calculator was last updated on 01/04/2026.

If you want to learn how to work out the running costs of your kitchen appliances, check out our guide on energy saving in the kitchen.

Our energy saving tips are courtesy of Nesta and Energy Saving Trust

It’s important that you use the energy you need to keep warm, safe and healthy at home. Please visit our trusted partners pages for more information on how to safely implement these tips within your home - Nesta and Energy Saving Trust.

It’s also important to make sure that your thermostat is not blocked by furniture or curtains and kept away from heat sources like electric fires or heaters, so that it can accurately detect your home temperature. Likewise, your thermostat should be protected from draughts and ideally placed away from sources of draughts, like windows or your front door.

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