In response to one concerned reader looking to cut fuel bills in a time ofeconomic uncertainty, property expert and builder Jeff Howell writes that thereare certain ways to reduce costs effectively.

He states that it is a mistake to be constantly changing the temperature ofyour thermostat as by their very nature they exist to keep water at a constantheat.

Mr Howell adds that by adjusting the thermostat "you are making the commonmistake of assuming that in the winter, when you use your boiler for centralheating, your hot water is somehow heated".

Earlier this week, Big Hospitality advised consumers and those who run hotelsthat to combat rising energy bills it is vital to consider theenergy-efficiency of your existing boiler.

It gave the example of one large hotel that was able to cut ?20,000 from itsannual heating bill by improving its .

? 2008 Adfero Ltd