Energy bills are set to climb in the new year, leaving many families scrambling to find ways to trim costs after the Christmas splurge. But some widespread misconceptions and mistakes surrounding your thermostat could actually be sending your bills through the roof with squandered heat.

Energy expert Gordon Wallis shed light on why the position of your thermostat matters and revealed the ideal temperature to maintain a cosy home without emptying your wallet. The Your NRG specialist explained: “Small adjustments can have a big impact. Many households are heating rooms they are not using, setting flow temperatures too high, or placing thermostats where they cannot get an accurate reading. These are simple mistakes that can lead to wasted energy and higher bills.”

The location of your thermostat within your property can dramatically affect how accurately it works, which in turn could inadvertently push up your energy costs. Certain spots might be chillier or toastier than other parts of your house, meaning the thermostat won’t be able to control your heating levels effectively.

Wallis explained: “If the thermostat is next to a radiator, exposed to direct sunlight, or behind furniture, it will get a false reading. That means your heating will switch off too soon or run longer than necessary. The best place is a hallway or main living area with good airflow.”

Another blunder homeowners often make is cranking up their thermostats the moment there’s a nip in the air, thinking it’ll banish the chill or warm things up faster.

But here’s the thing – both assumptions are wide of the mark. Wallis cleared things up, saying: “The thermostat maintains the temperature you set.

“If you want your home to be 20°C, you do not need to adjust it because the weather has dropped. Turning it higher only increases running time and energy use.”

For most people, the sweet spot for indoor temperature sits at 18°C – enough to keep the cold at bay without sending your energy bills through the roof. That said, most households still tend to hover around the 20°C mark.

If you are keen on making your home more energy savvy, Wallis suggests giving your radiators some proper attention as well.

He explained: “Bleeding radiators to remove trapped air, moving furniture away from radiators, and fitting reflective panels behind them are low-cost steps that help heat circulate properly.

“They are small things that can make the home feel warmer without turning the thermostat up.”

Households can also draw back curtains during the day to let natural warmth flood in, and keep doors shut between rooms that are heated and those that aren’t.