As the cost of living crisis continues to squeeze family budgets, a startling revelation has emerged from energy experts: a simple 30-second check on your boiler could be the key to saving over a hundred pounds a year on your gas bill.
With energy prices remaining stubbornly high, millions of UK households are overlooking a fundamental setting that could dramatically reduce their energy consumption. The magic number? 1.5 bar.
The Pressure Point Saving You Money
According to leading energy specialists, including British Gas engineer Joanna Flowers, ensuring your boiler's pressure is correctly set at between 1 and 1.5 bar is crucial for optimal efficiency. When pressure drops too low, your boiler must work significantly harder to heat your home, guzzling gas and driving up costs.
"When the pressure is too low, the boiler has to work harder to heat the same amount of water, which means it's using more gas to heat your home and provide hot water," explains Flowers. This extra strain not only increases your bills but can also lead to costly repairs down the line.
How To Check Your Boiler Pressure
Locating and checking your boiler's pressure gauge is surprisingly simple:
- Find the pressure gauge on the front of your boiler unit
- Check where the needle is pointing - it should be between 1 and 1.5 bar
- If it's below 1 bar, you need to repressurise your system
Most modern boilers include straightforward repressurising instructions in their manual, or you can find tutorial videos online specific to your boiler model.
Beyond the Pressure Gauge: Additional Savings
While boiler pressure is a critical factor, energy experts recommend additional measures to maximise savings:
- Bleed your radiators to remove air pockets that reduce heating efficiency
- Set your boiler flow temperature to 60°C for heating and 55°C for hot water
- Install smart thermostats to better control your heating schedule
- Use thermostat timers to ensure heating is only on when needed
These combined measures can lead to substantial annual savings, providing much-needed relief during the ongoing energy crisis.
The message from energy professionals is clear: taking a few moments to understand and optimize your boiler settings can lead to significant financial benefits. In an era of elevated energy costs, these simple checks represent some of the easiest wins for household budgets across the country.
