Introducing Tech Tuesday

We're starting something new: regular Tuesday articles tackling those everyday tech questions that can feel more complicated than they should be. Think heating controls, apps, online banking—the things that are meant to make life easier but sometimes just feel like hassle.

The people in these stories are fictional, but the situations are very real—they're based on conversations we've had with Poundbury residents about what actually works. I'm Vivienne, and if there's a tech topic you'd like covered, please email tech@lovepoundbury.org.

Now, it’s the season for talking about heating bills!

How One Poundbury Resident Cut His Winter Bills by £50 a Month

By Vivienne | Tech Tuesday

'Tom' lives close to Queen Mother Square. Last winter his energy bills hit £220 a month. His house isn't even that big.

The problem? He'd turn the heating on at 6:30am, forget to turn it down when he left for work at 7:30, and came home to find he'd heated an empty house all day. Then he'd panic about the cost and turn it off completely—which meant when his mum visited on Sundays, she'd arrive to a freezing house.

"Mum would sit there in her coat making pointed comments about how 'bracing' it was," Tom says.

What Changed

Tom bought a basic programmable thermostat locally for £35 and was able to fit it himself in half an hour using a YouTube video. Here's what he programmed:

Weekdays: Heat on 6:30-7:45am, then 5:30pm-10pm Sundays: Boost at 1pm (hour before his mum arrives)

He also turned the thermostat down from 21°C to 19°C. Can't tell the difference with a jumper on.

The result? Bills dropped from £220 to about £170 a month. That's £50 back in his pocket, and his mum actually takes her coat off now.

The Myth

Everyone says it's cheaper to leave the heating on low all day rather than turning it on and off. Well, that’s not entirely true: your boiler uses energy keeping empty rooms warm. The Energy Saving Trust says most people save 20-30% by heating only when needed.

Poundbury Notes

The newer Poundbury properties are well-insulated, which helps. If you're in one of the older properties, your bills might be higher—those places are beautiful but can leak heat.

One resident in the Buttermarket combined a thermostat with heavy curtains from a local shop. Another neighbour in Pummery Square added draft excluders—at a cost of about £100 total, saving that every two months.

Still Nervous?

Modern thermostats have big buttons and clear screens. The setup is more straightforward than it looks. If wiring concerns you, call a local electrician, who will be able to fit one for you.

The information provided is accurate at the date of publication, however, If you are unsure always consult a professional for advice.

Your Questions

Got a question about heating, bills, or any other tech that's supposed to make life easier but just confuses you? Please email me at tech@lovepoundbury.org and I’ll try to answer you or cover it in a new article.

Next week: How to actually use the NHS App without throwing your phone out the window.