Turn your boiler down and not up in cold weather

A woman has advised people to turn the heating temperature down on their boilers rather than increase it, despite the bitter weather – and experts agree. Keeping homes warm while managing concerns about escalating energy costs is a priority for many, with people turning to social media for guidance and recommendations. One woman shared a “public service announcement” on Reddit after carefully studying her boiler’s instruction manual.

Boilers heat water which then flows around the property via central heating to warm it, while also providing hot water for taps, baths and showers. The process involves burning fuel to heat water in a heat exchanger, which is subsequently pumped to where it’s needed.

The method of heat storage differs depending on whether you have a conventional or combi boiler.

In her Reddit post, titled “PSA: Turn your boiler’s heating temperature DOWN, not up”, she explained: “Many of us are probably mildly concerned about the cost of keeping our homes warm at the moment. Although we’re gonna keep absolutely ripping through gas (and £££) like mad, there is something you may be able to do to improve your boiler’s efficiency.”

Before offering her guidance, she clarified it was “most applicable to combi gas (and I guess maybe oil too?) boilers”. She went on: “If your heating is good enough that it keeps cycling on and off to hit/maintain temperature, you can probably get away with turning the flow temperature on your boiler down a notch or two.

“Most combi boilers are more efficient at lower flow temperatures, so you can get more heat into your home per unit of fuel if you reduce. On my Worcester boiler with the unhelpfully numbered knobs, I’ve turned mine down to between three and four on the heating knob. According to the manual, this means the water should be leaving the boiler at about 55 degrees.”

Gordon Wallis, energy specialist at UK independent fuel distributor Your NRG, shared similar insights. The expert highlighted many households mistakenly operate their boiler’s flow temperature higher than necessary.

Most boilers come factory-set between 70 and 80 degrees. Wallis explained: “Lowering the boiler flow temperature to around 60 degrees can still heat your home effectively while reducing the strain on the boiler. It can also extend its lifespan and help reduce heating costs. The home will not feel colder, but it may heat up more gradually.”

Wallis’ recommendations primarily apply to combi boilers. Those with tank systems should consult a qualified engineer before adjusting their heating setup.

In an effort to help people in maximising their heating efficiency, Wallis suggested: “Bleeding radiators to remove trapped air, moving furniture away from radiators, and fitting reflective panels behind them are low-cost steps that help heat circulate properly.

“They are small things that can make the home feel warmer without turning the thermostat up.”