Martin Lewis and his Money Saving Expert site has this month given vital tips to people to keep warm this winter – with some rules. For many years people have wondered if they should have all their radiators on low all day and wondered if this was more financially sound in terms of heating costs than putting it on when you’re cold.

However, Mr Lewis has been very clear – and said people should turn off their radiators where they are not – with his mantra ‘heat the person not the home’. On his heating guide he said: “This is a guide I really wish we needn’t be publishing. The reason I asked the team to put this together is due to my overflowing email bag of desperation from people who can’t afford their energy bills. So don’t see this as an ‘MSE or Martin says you should do this’. It’s more that we’re trying to help provide some options and information for those that may need to drastically cut down on energy usage due to financial desperation and some help for others who may want to do it out of a commitment to green issues.”

One thing the advice has warned is that people need to seriously consider before switching off the heating to save money. MSE said: “It may be dangerous for older people, or those with asthma and other health conditions. If in doubt, consult your GP and follow their advice. Age UK told us it’s important older people do all they can to stay as warm as possible.

“Will it impact your mental health? Some say a cold home affects their mental health and motivation. Rent your home? Check what your contract says about heating. Some landlords stipulate you must turn the heating on regularly, or keep the home at a minimum temperature.”

Speaking previously Mr Lewis has told people to turn off radiators in the house. He said: “If you’ve got radiators in rooms that you’re not using, go and turn them off before you turn the heating on so you’re not wasting cash overheating empty spaces.

“Changing the flow rate on your boiler can cut gas bill by over 9% and you won’t notice the change.”

The Energy Saving Trust says that leaving the heating on all day consumes more fuel, leads to greater heat loss, and that means higher costs.

It was revealed earlier this year that households are entering winter with a staggering debt of £780 million to their energy suppliers, the highest level in eight years, according to a Uswitch survey. The comparison site reported that the number of households in debt to their provider has surged by 46% from 2.4 million last year to 3.5 million this year.

Mr Lewis pinpointed the tumble dryer as an appliance to use sparingly due to its high running cost of £1 per load. He stated: “Do you know what the real ‘demon appliance’ is in most people’s houses – the one that you don’t want to use because it’s really expensive.

“Tumble dryers. You’re typically paying up to a quid per load so dry your clothes on an airer outside, to shorten the amount of time you’re using your tumble dryer, or avoid using it completely. Those who have dehumidifiers can take some of the moisture out of the air. It’s less wattage than a tumble dryer, so it can be more cost-effective.”

Martin explained: “Dehumidifiers take water out of the air rather than use the heating and they’re much lower wattage appliances than standard heating. So if the dehumidifier works for you, it will definitely have lower electricity bills.”

A key problem is that radiators often heat spaces where warmth quickly escapes outdoors. During a previous BBC Podcast appearance, Mr Lewis suggested households should think about installing reflective panels behind radiators – redirecting warmth back into rooms instead of allowing it to seep through walls.

He explained: “A tip for you reflective panels behind radiators. Sheets of reflective material can be placed behind radiators. Crucially, this is on external wall radiators, so the heat doesn’t escape. If you don’t want to pay for those, then tin foil can work, although it doesn’t work quite as well.”

He said: “Other general tips included: “Check your TV’s on a low energy setting too and walk around your house. Be a draft detector – what drafts can you spot as you walk around your house? And then try, if you can, to seal them up.”

The Uswitch survey revealed the typical household debt figure of £223 represents a 29% increase from last year’s £173. The average bill payer held £128 in credit last year, but this has now fallen to £98 – dropping below £100 for the first time since the energy crisis started.

Families typically pay a set monthly amount that exceeds their summer usage to accumulate credit for covering costlier winter months. Yet more than two million low-income families – and 10 million homes nationwide – have no energy credit saved to handle higher winter bills.

Among the 55% of families who maintain a credit balance, this has decreased marginally from last autumn’s typical £222 to the present £214. Latest data from regulator Ofgem indicated that customers owed energy firms over £4 billion, representing an increase of more than £750 million compared to the previous year.

Ofgem’s debt figure represents the total amount customers owe their suppliers for unpaid bills, while Uswitch measures the current balance of a household’s energy account. It has been revealed that one in six homes (16%) with a household income of less than £20,000 a year are already in debt to their energy supplier before winter, with indebted homes owing an average of £60.

For the MSE heating guide click here.