With temperatures set to drop to lows of -2 degrees this week, many households across the UK will be wondering how to keep their homes warm without it costing them a small fortune. 

With  energy bills ranking as the second-highest household expense after rent or mortgages, it's vital to find strategies that can keep your home warm without breaking the bank.

Stephen Hankinson, an energy efficiency expert at Electric Radiators Direct, has shared a simple trick that could save over £300 a year.

Lowering your thermostat by just one or two degrees, may seem like a small change, reducing your home's temperature from 21°C to 18°C can make a significant impact on your energy bill.

There are also substantial health benefits to not letting your house get too hot or too cold during the winter.

According to Public Health England, “Heating homes to at least 18°C (65F) in winter poses minimal risk to the health of a sedentary person, wearing suitable clothing.”

They report that living in homes where the indoor temperature is below 18°C can increase the risk of health problems, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those with existing health conditions. 

This recommendation is based on various studies that show cold homes are linked to conditions like high blood pressure, poor cardiovascular health and respiratory issues. 

As well as physical discomfort and poor health, other signs that your house could be too cold include the spread of damp or mould, as well as condensation wetness on the windows or windowsills.

While it may be tempting to turn the heating way up high when the cold weather sets in, a house that is too hot can also cause problems.

The Centre for Sustainable Energy warns that while 19°C  to 21°C degrees is the recommended daytime temperature for occupied rooms, 24°C to 27°C is too warm and could put babies and young children at risk. 

Homes that are overheated and poorly ventilated could also suffer from a build up of mould and condensation, cause respiratory issues and exacerbate existing health conditions. 

Lowering your heating a degree or two within the recommended parameters can therefore be particularly effective when it comes to reducing energy bills while still keeping warm

Hankinson said: "It sounds simple, and it is. This is the easiest way to cut your bill and probably the best in monetary value too.

"If your thermostat is attempting to reach a temperature of 22°C -23°C each day, you’re unlikely to notice the effect of dropping it a degree or two."

In the coldest depths of winter, it may not even be possible for temperatures to get that high if your home has large, airy rooms.

He added: "You may need to add another layer of clothing, but you will save more money for each degree you can withstand taking your thermostat down by. 

"Going by the latest average usage figures, dropping from 21°C to 18°C could save over £300 a year."