Here are budget-friendly ways to keep your home warm
Related: More than two million households plan to avoid using central heating this winter
The Met Office has warned of potential colder spells from late January into February, urging households to prepare their homes to stay warm without incurring excessive energy costs.
Experts advise optimising heating by using programmers and thermostats to schedule warmth, typically 30 minutes before waking and switching off 30 minutes before bed, and turning heating off when out.
Maintain a thermostat setting between 18°C and 21°C, as turning it higher during colder weather will not heat the home faster, and ensure the thermostat is not blocked by furniture or curtains.
Minimise heat loss by sealing draughts, keeping internal and external doors closed, and utilising heavy or thermal-lined curtains to retain heat through windows and doorways.
To prevent costly damage to your pipes, set your thermostat to around 13°C or use a frost protection setting if away during cold periods, and turn down, but not fully off, radiators in unused rooms.