Heat just your lounge and bedroom to save money

PEOPLE concerned about rising energy costs should heat only their living room and bedroom, the UK Health and Security agency has warned, with temperatures predicted to plummet to -10C.

The UKHSA said the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions were “particularly at risk” and should keep the heat at 18C in rooms they use most often.

The recommendation comes amid fears that the soaring cost of energy may mean some people resist turning on their heating at home, despite dangerously cold temperatures.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, consultant in public health medicine at the UKHSA, said: “In rooms you mostly use, such as the living room or bedroom, try to heat them to at least 18C. Keep your bedroom windows closed at night.”

Age UK said it was “understandable” elderly people might want to leave the heating off but warned they could be putting themselves at risk of harm.

Health officials issued a level-three cold weather alert last night which is set to run until 9am on Dec 12 but could be extended further if forecasts predict continued colder temperatures.

The alert is triggered when severe cold weather is likely to affect people’s health significantly. Temperatures of -10C are predicted for parts of northern

Scotland and -6C for areas of rural England from today.

Large parts of Scotland are set to experience a prolonged “Arctic blast”, with freezing temperatures, snow and ice forecast.

The Met Office said today was likely to be the coldest day of the year and the North East could see snowfall.

Living in severely low temperatures for a prolonged period puts a considerable strain on the body, which has to work harder to warm up faster.

This can lead to an increase in blood pressure and a faster heartbeat, which in turn can exacerbate the risk of a stroke or heart attack.