An energy expert has delivered his verdict on the practice of keeping the heating on all day at a low temperature in an attempt to save energy and keep bills down. Advocates of this approach claim it's more efficient for warming a home than switching the heating on and off repeatedly.

The debate divides specialists. Some believe it can indeed be beneficial.

Experts at Heat Geek suggest the 'low and slow' approach has certain advantages.

They argue that if you possess a modern boiler or heat pump, remain at home throughout the day, or spend the majority of your evenings and weekends indoors, this strategy could be worthwhile. However, Martin Lewis's MSE website takes a firm stance on the issue - and they disagree with Heat Geek.

They maintain that "leaving the heating on all day leads to greater heat loss and means higher cost". Now an industrial engineer and energy consumption specialist has weighed in with his assessment, reports the Mirror.

Jorge Morales de Labra told the COPE Spanish language radio station that maintaining the heating on all day at a low temperature does not save energy - and he has a different approach instead. He said: "It's a myth from an energy point of view."

He continued: "Any heating system consumes energy when it is running. What's more, even if you just pop out to buy bread and come back five minutes later, it's worth turning off the heating for financial reasons."

He insists that switching off the heating, even briefly, prevents wasteful consumption. However, he acknowledged: "I understand perfectly well that people are reluctant to spend all day turning it on and off."

In such instances, he recommends setting the thermostat between 19 and 21 degrees Celsius if heating the main living areas.

Jorge cautions that leaving the heating on requires lowering it by a few degrees.

He explains that every degree increase adds between 6% and 8% to your energy costs. An alternative solution is installing a smart thermostat.

He noted these devices are particularly beneficial for scheduling and monitoring daily energy usage, especially during periods when the property is unoccupied. Additionally, they allow remote switching off if forgotten before departure.

He said: "I have six at home because each room has a different temperature. I control it with my mobile phone.

"If my eldest daughter is not coming home at the weekend and I am away, what I do is turn off the heating and ask her when she is coming back. As I know it takes two hours for the heating to warm up the room, I turn it on at five o'clock on Sunday."

He emphasised that whilst multiple units aren't essential, having at least one proves worthwhile. He also offered broader guidance for staying warm during the colder months.

He suggested that maintaining closed windows and doors throughout winter proves helpful. Scheduling activities during off-peak periods where feasible can also reduce costs.

Additionally, he recommends avoiding covering radiators and sealing draughts wherever possible.