Martin Lewis says many homes could save £120 a year with a simple thermostat change

Energy bills are continuing to climb , and households across the UK are bracing themselves for yet another expensive winter after Ofgem's latest energy price cap rise pushed the typical annual energy bill to £1,723. However, there are steps you can take to keep costs in check, even if the savings are modest. According to the Energy Saving Trust, turning down a room thermostat by just one degree, from 22°C to 21°C, could save around £120 a year.

Money-saving expert Martin Lewis has championed this tip, describing it as "one of the easiest" adjustments you can make to cut costs. Speaking on The Martin Lewis Money Show Live, Martin said: "This is a big one. Take my one-degree challenge. "The World Health Organisation says 18C is fine for adults. Younger, older or ill might need more." The Money Saving Expert blog added: "Many have their thermostats set in the 20s. And while cutting from, say, 21°C to 20°C doesn't sound much, it should reduce your heating bill.

"As a 'way to think of it' concept (not science), imagine your home was already at 13°C, dropping the difference between that and what it's warmed to by one degree will make up a big chunk of that. "There's also no need to turn up the temperature when it's colder outside. The thermostat's job is to heat the home to the set temperature; it just may take longer in colder weather." Heating specialists at Stelrad have put forward several additional ways to reduce energy bills , the first of which involves turning down radiator valves in rooms that don't require as much heat .

Not every room needs to be kept at the same temperature, and while you may want your living room to stay cosy, turning radiators down by just one setting in other rooms could save you an estimated £78 a year. It's equally important to make sure your radiators aren't obscured by furniture or other items, as any obstructions can restrict air from circulating freely, forcing you to crank up the thermostat and ultimately spend more. Their third suggestion is to check whether your heating is still running when the house is empty.

Rather than leaving the heat on all day while you're at work, it's worth reviewing your heating timers and adjusting them to better suit your actual home schedule. Finally, don't overlook heat slipping out through windows — close your curtains or blinds once it gets dark, and seal any unwanted gaps around windows and doors to keep the warmth firmly inside.