Turning your heating thermostat down a little saves a surprising amount over a year. Enter roughly what you spend on heating each year and how many degrees you would turn the thermostat down, and this estimates the saving.
This uses the Energy Saving Trust estimate that turning your thermostat down by 1°C cuts your heating use by roughly 10%. It is a rule of thumb, not a promise: your real saving depends on your home, its insulation, how the heating is controlled and how far you can turn down before comfort suffers. The rule holds best for the first degree or two; beyond that the returns shrink and a cold home carries its own costs.
To pick a sensible setting in the first place, see thermostat settings and what temperature to set your thermostat. Pairing a lower setting with good timing saves more again, covered in central heating timer settings.
Common questions
How much does turning the thermostat down save?
The Energy Saving Trust reckons about 10% off your heating for each degree you turn the thermostat down. On a £900 a year heating spend, one degree is roughly £90 a year. Your own figure depends on your home and how far you turn down.
Is turning the heating down by 1 degree worth it?
For most homes, yes. One degree is often not noticeable once you have adjusted, yet it can shave around a tenth off the heating bill. Combined with timing the heating to when you are actually home, the savings add up.
Can I just keep turning it down for more savings?
The 10% per degree rule holds best for the first degree or two. Beyond that, comfort and health matter and the returns shrink, so a comfortable lower setting plus good timing usually beats simply setting it very cold.