Essential boiler checks could save hundreds on energy bills this summer, even when your heating is turned off, according to energy experts
As the chilly winter period draws to a close and spring and summer approach, you’ll probably be switching off your central heating. You might also assume that once the heating’s turned off, the associated bills disappear too; unfortunately, that’s not quite accurate.
Thermostats, timers and system peculiarities can still activate the boiler, silently pushing up energy costs. Bearing this in mind, Mark Gamble, Head of Supplier Relations at Utility Bidder, has outlined vital boiler checks to help reduce bills. He explained: “Taking the time to check your boiler settings now not only helps reduce unnecessary energy use during the warmer months
“Many people assume that once the heating is off, their energy use drops completely, but in reality, timers, thermostats, and default settings can still trigger the system in the background.”
Look for a summer mode
Mark’s initial recommendation is to determine whether your boiler features a dedicated summer mode, as simply switching to this setting could save you as much as £20 monthly. He noted: “Most modern boilers have a summer setting that turns off central heating completely, while still allowing you to heat water when needed.
“This means your boiler will ignore signals from thermostats or timers that might otherwise trigger the heating accidentally, helping to cut unnecessary energy use.”
Reduce your thermostat by a single degree
Dropping your thermostat by just one degree can have a noticeable impact on your energy costs, delivering savings of £80-£150 annually. The majority of homes won’t notice any temperature change, yet your boiler won’t need to work as intensively to sustain warmth.
Refine your timers
“If your heating or hot water is on longer than needed, you’re paying for energy you’re not using. Setting your timers to come on just before you wake up or get home, and turning them off earlier in the evening, can help reduce unnecessary use,” the expert explains.
“Keeping hot water to set times rather than leaving it on continuously can also make a difference, with even cutting back an hour or two a day adding up to noticeable savings over time.”
Activate pump protection settings
Certain boilers feature integrated functions that operate periodically to prevent components from jamming, helping you sidestep costly repairs. Ensure this feature remains active throughout the summer, too, as it consumes negligible energy while helping avert more serious problems later.
Reduce your flow temperatures
Decreasing your boiler’s flow temperature can enable it to operate considerably more efficiently, without leaving your property feeling chilly. Mark clarifies: “Check your boiler settings and reduce the flow temperature to around 60°C or lower.
“This helps modern boilers run in ‘condensing mode’, which uses less energy. Setting the flow temperature to the correct settings can increase the boiler’s efficiency by around 15%.” With the existing Ofgem price cap in place, that straightforward change amounts to approximately £325 in savings on your gas costs annually.
Lower your water temperature
Excessively heating your water wastes energy, consequently pushing up your bills. Reduce your hot water temperature marginally, usually to roughly 50-55°C for combi boilers, and this will cut costs while still providing hot water.
