If you want a warmer home and lower bills this December, there’s a small tweak that can make a huge difference. Patrick Garner, Gas Safe Engineer at Heatable, claims most households don’t even realise the boiler setting exists, and it’s well worth knowing to aid your finances.
Every boiler has a flow temperature, which is the temperature of the water leaving your boiler before it circulates around the radiators. It’s essential for your heating to run efficiently, but making one simple change can do wonders for your home’s heating and your energy bills, and it’s super easy to implement.
Patrick warns that most people have their boilers set far too high from the factory, often around 75°C to 80°C, which can result in several problems. However, using a simple setting can help to save you a lot of money.
Why it matters
When a modern combi boiler has a flow temperature of around 60°C, it runs at its most efficient condensing mode. This is because the boiler uses more heat from the gas it burns.
You can also cut your gas use by up to 9%, saving on average around £100 per year. The best thing about it is that you won’t feel any colder.
Patrick explained: « The house will feel just as warm. Your radiators will heat up a little slower, but they stay warm for longer and keep the temperature steadier. You lose that intense ‘blast’ of heat that wastes gas, and most people won’t even notice it. »
What happens if it’s too high or low?
If you turn your boiler up too high (typically above 75°C), you run the risk of wasting energy, your radiators overheating and the boiler switching out of condensing mode. The quick change in temperature can also lead to a home that feels less comfortable.
Too low (below 50°C), and you may struggle to warm up your home in cold weather. It can also be an issue in older and poorly insulated homes.
What is the ideal temperature?
Combi boilers should be set at around 60°C on the flow temperature. Patrick advises that system or conventional boilers are best set at 65°C for heating and at least 60°C for hot water, as this still protects against Legionella.
That’s not all, either, as Patrick also has three quick checks you can do this December. They include:
-
Pressure – your boiler should sit around the 1 to 1.5 bar when cold. If it drops below this, it needs topping up.
-
Heating schedule – timers can be used or smart thermostats to ensure you’re not heating up an empty home.
-
Insulate exposed pipes – foam lagging for pipes and a jacket for hot water cylinders reduce heat loss. It also helps if you insulate the outdoor condensate pipe to avoid freezing and causing breakdowns in winter.
Patrick’s main advice though is to implement the simple boiler setting change. He said: « A tiny twist of the dial is all it takes to stay warm for less this December. »
