Thread by @TurloughDownes

Just been listening to people discussing home heating costs with the #FuelPrices . Hopefully we're heading into warmer weather for a while, but here's how your heating costs will behave. tl;dr the costs increase in proportion to the inside/outside temperature difference. /1

The rate at which your house loses heat is partly determined by the difference between the temperatures inside and outside: the higher the temperature difference the faster your house will lose heat, and so you'll use more energy to hold your house at a constant temperature. /2

So if it's 10 degrees outside and you want your house at 20 degrees, it'll cost you a certain amount. If you decide you want your house at 21 degrees you'll increase your heating costs by 10%. If you want your house at 25 degrees they'll increase by 50% compared to 20 degrees. /3

You need to be a bit careful though: holding your house at temperatures below 18 or 19 degrees can increase your risks of suffering respiratory diseases. Also, men appear to be more comfortable at lower temperatures than women so that'll be a cause of friction. /4

Also, obviously, babies and small children need warmer temperatures. There are limits on how cold it is sensible to keep your house. /5

Finally, studies have linked cooler night time temperatures with better sleep, so you can turn off the heat completely during sleeping hours. And set your boiler to about 70 degrees for heating radiators, 35 degrees for underfloor heating for best efficiencies. /end

Finally, I should have said: warmer indoor temperatures are particularly important for the elderly - the elderly should not be encouraged to reduce their indoor temperatures, though the rest of us should be able to manage easily at 21 degrees.