A heating expert has busted the 'myths' that are adding extra onto people's energy bills. Customers who pay their bills to British Gas, OVO, EDF, E.On and Octopus energy bills could be impacted, according to Simon Brown, lead engineer and compliance officer at Rightio.

Mr Brown has shared the myths and misconceptions around heating and energy bills, in a bid to save UK households some cash. The heating expert says it's a myth that it’s cheaper to leave your hot water on all the time, reports BirminghamLive.

He warned: "There are two types of boilers - combi and system boilers. A combi boiler works on demand, which means that as soon as the tap is turned on, it will start generating hot water.

"With a combi boiler, you don’t need to worry about turning it on and off, because the action is performed automatically. This type of boiler is best suited for homes where the water pressure is right. A system boiler, however, can be operated in two different ways: through heating the tank only when needed, or through leaving it on permanently.”

Mr Brown said: “And with that, the myth is busted. Get a system boiler with a well-insulated tank to keep the water hot for longer. In order to increase your boiler efficiency, make sure you get it serviced regularly and change it every 10 years or so.” He also says turning the thermostat up higher will heat the house quicker is a myth.

Mr Brown said: “Our house will heat up at the same speed regardless of how high the temperature of the thermostat is. That’s because your thermostat doesn’t have control over how quickly your house heats up. Instead, it matches the final temperature you’ve set. Turning the thermostat up in an attempt to warm the house up quicker will cost you more money and will eventually make the room uncomfortably hot.

"Servicing can identify any potential issues before they become a problem. It’s a preventative measure that can stop your boiler from breaking in the future and costing you a fortune.

“Make sure you call a Gas Safe registered engineer because their expertise will ensure that strict safety standards are followed and that the job is done to the highest quality.” And the idea double-glazed windows keep the heat in is also a myth, Mr Brown said. Mr Brown added: “Double glazing your windows is still a viable solution, but it could be expensive. Insulate your walls and loft to stop heat from leaving your home.

“Although these might seem like small changes, when used efficiently, they can significantly impact your energy usage and cost. Don’t let your energy bill give you the cold shoulder.”