Here's the best way to keep your home toasty without incurring a mega bill during the colder season
08:41, 09 Jan 2026
Storm Goretti is here, and as Britain continues to be battered by snow, wind and ice, many will be thinking about cranking up their heating.
This move can help us all feel a lot more cosy and toasty, but it can also attract mould. This is because when moist air meets a cool surface, which can be a wall, or a window, for example, it condenses into water droplets.
The condensation creates mould which can in turn ruin your walls and furniture, as well as hitting your health hard.
Specialists have said keeping a consistent minimum temperature indoors can help you stay in control and keep potential mould problems away.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Energy Saving Trust are both of the opinion your house should be at a minimum temperature of 18C to avoid damp, mould and condensation.
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According to the experts, the guidance is also not to pump your heating up any higher than 21C.
It may be tempting to hike the heating up further, but it is this range of temperatures which provide a good balance between energy and comfort efficiency.
Hayley Janssen, public health researcher at Public Health Wales, told the Sun: “[The] Welsh Government currently advise households to set temperatures to 21C in the living room and 18C in other rooms for nine hours in every 24-hour period on weekdays, and 16 hours in a 24-hour period on weekends."
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Another way to keep an eye on the temperature in your home is by using a smart meter. It can also be helpful to insulate and ventilate your property as best as possible.
Other ways to keep too much moisture from the air is keeping lids on pans while cooking and trying to keep your shower times down during this frosty period.
By opening your windows or doors, using extractor fans and installing vents can also be handy to help get rid of additional moisture.
If possible, it's better if you avoid blocking heat sources with your furniture at home.
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