People can make a number of simple changes an expert and Martin Lewis have said
People can make some minor boiler settings changes to save hundreds of pounds, experts have said(Image: PA)
Anyone who has a boiler built after April 2005 it being told of a top tip to save cash – while keeping the home warm. Householders with a condensing combi boiler – which is likely if it was installed after April 2005 – a tweak of the settings could save you cash.
These boilers allow you to adjust what is known as the boiler flow temperature – how hot the water is when it leaves the boiler and goes to your radiators.
Tom Lyon, energy expert at Compare the Market said: ”A study by Nesta found that for homes with a combi boiler, reducing the flow temperature, to around 60C (140F) rather than 70-80C (158-176F) can help to cut gas consumption by around 6-8pc.’
Uswitch says the average annual gas bill is £682 per year, so this saving could be roughly £55. People are told to make sure they don’t turn it down below 75C for radiators and 60C for hot water, though, as this is the temperature at which the legionella bacteria is killed.
If you have a hot water tank, adding an 80mm thick insulation jacket, which costs about £22, will keep the water warmer for longer and could allow you to reduce the time you spend with the heating on.
Personal finance expert Martin Lewis has shared his top tips for saving money on heating. The personal finance expert discussed his energy-saving advice on his ITV show, with the Money Saving Expert site he founded confirming that all the tips are still relevant.
Mr Lewis highlighted key heating strategies that everyone should be implementing to significantly reduce their bills. His advice covers optimal boiler temperatures, and how adjusting a simple setting on your heating system can save you money.
On the subject of setting the temperature, Mr Lewis challenged viewers: “Now this is a big one. Take my 1 degree challenge. The World Health organisation says 18 degrees is fine for healthy adults, younger, older, or ill, you might need more. Who’s got their thermostat on at 18 degrees or less? I’d like you to try reducing 1 degree, say you’re at 21, try reducing to 20. That could save you around 10% on the heating bill.”
He also warned against a common mistake people make by cranking up their heat higher than necessary in an attempt to warm up their homes faster. Mr Lewis explained: “This isn’t scientific. But if you think about it, if your heating is only kicking in at 15 degrees, which it may well be, and you’re heating to 21, only heating to 20 is actually a really significant saving. Don’t think 0 to 20, think 15 to 20 to get it in your head.
“And another thing, I bet you do this, who, when it gets cold, turns the thermostat up in the house? Now look, your thermostat will get you up to the temperature you want. This is a panic reaction, it’s cold, I’m going to turn it up more. The thermostat dictates what the temperature is. Don’t turn it up, just wait for it to get to the heat, and then you won’t need to pay too much more. “
Mr Lewis has advised people to reduce their ‘flow rate’. He explained: “Now you’d normally want it to be around 60 degrees, but most people’s boilers are set higher. That’s really inefficient. It’s not just it’s using more heat, it’s inefficient. You can turn this down, it won’t affect the heat of your house, it’ll still be the same temperature. It won’t affect your hot water temperature, it might take slightly longer to get up to the maximum temperature.
“But it can cut £100 a year off your bill, and it is well worth everyone doing. I’ve got successes. Yeah, I have. This is from David, his boiler had a high temperature of 85 degrees. He now has a boiler flow temperature of 60, which works just as well and saves them money. This is an absolute no brainer. Everyone with a combi boiler should be trying this one.”
For more tips and an explanation of changing the boiler settings click here.
