As a bitter winter freeze grips the nation, bringing snow and ice to many regions, households are being given counter-intuitive advice: turn your boiler's heating temperature down, not up. This move, experts say, can improve efficiency and save money on soaring energy bills without sacrificing comfort.
The Reddit PSA That's Going Viral
The tip gained traction after a savvy homeowner shared a "public service announcement" on Reddit, having studied her own boiler manual. In a post titled "PSA: Turn your boiler’s heating temperature DOWN, not up", she explained that many modern combi boilers operate more efficiently at lower flow temperatures.
"If your heating is good enough that it keeps cycling on and off to hit and maintain temperature, you can probably get away with turning the flow temperature on your boiler down a notch or two," she advised. The user, who has a Worcester boiler, reported turning her heating knob down to between three and four, which her manual indicates corresponds to a flow temperature of about 55 degrees Celsius.
Why Lower Temperatures Can Be More Effective
Energy expert Gordon Wallis from UK independent fuel distributor Your NRG strongly supports this approach. He notes a common mistake where people run their boiler's flow temperature higher than necessary, often at factory settings of between 70 and 80 degrees.
"Lowering the boiler flow temperature to around 60 degrees can still heat your home effectively while reducing the strain on the boiler," Wallis explained. "It can also extend its lifespan and help reduce heating costs. The home will not feel colder, but it may heat up more gradually."
This advice is primarily aimed at the millions of UK homes with combi boilers, which heat water on demand. Households with traditional tank systems should consult a qualified engineer before making changes.
Additional Low-Cost Tips for a Warmer Home
Beyond adjusting the boiler, Wallis suggests several other simple, low-cost measures to maximise heating efficiency during the cold snap:
- Bleed your radiators to remove trapped air that prevents them from working fully.
- Move furniture away from radiators to allow heat to circulate freely around the room.
- Consider fitting reflective panels behind radiators on external walls to direct more heat back into the room.
"They are small things that can make the home feel warmer without turning the thermostat up," Wallis said. As the UK contends with the deepest chill of winter so far, these practical steps offer a way to stay warm while keeping a tighter grip on household budgets.
