Experts have shared a simple change that can be made to your boiler this winter that will help you save money on your heating bills — and it won’t cost you a penny to do
Most UK homeowners are oblivious to the fact that they could significantly reduce their heating bills by simply adjusting the flow temperature on their condensing boiler and turning it down.
Thankfully, experts at Dwellow, a top provider of renewable heating and home upgrade solutions, have revealed how this minor adjustment can enhance efficiency, decrease gas usage, and maintain warmth throughout the house without costly alterations. Condensing boilers, which makeup the majority of modern combi systems, are designed to operate most efficiently at lower flow temperatures. However, many engineers install them with flow rates of 70-75°C, significantly higher than most homes actually need.
Ian McLaren, co-founder of Dwellow, said: “Condensing boilers stop condensing above 70°C, which can reduce efficiency by around 10%. Simply lowering the flow temperature to the lowest comfortable level (often around 50°C) helps the boiler operate more efficiently, uses less gas, reduces running costs, and still keeps your home warm and comfortable.”
Even traditional boilers can benefit from adjustments made to the flow, although temperatures must not drop below 65°C to ensure hot water safety and avoid risks such as legionella. Ian further commented: “Many homeowners are surprised by how much impact simple adjustments like lowering flow temperature can have. Small changes can make a real difference to bills and energy use, especially in colder months.”
The Energy Saving Trust has revealed that by simply tweaking the boiler flow temperature, households could potentially slash their bills by nearly 9%, although it stresses that savings will fluctuate based on various factors, including your boiler’s initial setting and your readiness to experiment with its flow temperature. They’ve also offered additional advice for optimising home heating systems this winter:
Traditional boilers: On/off cycles work best in well-insulated homes. Modern condensing boilers are designed to operate efficiently in short bursts.
Air-source heat pumps: A steady, low-level temperature gives better performance as heat pumps use the most energy during startup.
Home insulation: Well-insulated homes can effectively use on/off cycles, while poorly insulated homes might benefit from continuous low-level heating.
Smart thermostats: Tailor heating by room and time to maximise comfort and efficiency.
The UK government is backing heat pumps as a key technology to decarbonise heating, aiming for 600,000 installations per year by 2028.
Compared to traditional gas boilers, heat pumps can be three times more energy-efficient, helping homes to reduce their carbon footprints whilst saving on bills.
According to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, smart tariffs alone could result in roughly £100 in annual savings.
