Nearly 8 million UK households are missing out on the chance to cut almost £60 off their energy bill by adjusting the flow temperature of their combi boiler, according to new research from Nesta, the research and innovation foundation.
Nesta commissioned Cambridge Architectural Research to compare various energy-saving measures households can take this winter. The research suggests that 26% of all UK homes (7.5 million) can make this change to save £57 a year. The analysis also found that combining six free and simple adjustments can save households just over a quarter (28%) of their annual energy bill, cutting their costs by £220 a year.
Advice to offset price cap rise
Nesta is sharing advice to help people save £57 on their bills and offset the £60 October price cap rise as temperatures begin to drop after an unusually warm start to autumn.
Katy King, director of Nesta's sustainable future mission, said: "Living costs across the UK are increasing year-on-year and energy bills have reached a three-year record high. It's no secret that many people will find their energy bills difficult to afford this winter - households will likely be feeling the strain."
She added: "But our research highlights that there is a quick and easy adjustment that many people can do at home to save £57. And if they want to save more, they can head to our website and follow our guidance on five more free, money-saving household measures to more than triple their savings to £220."
Six simple adjustments to cut bills
Nesta has outlined six adjustments households can make. Reducing the flow temperature to 60C is one option, as many combi boilers are factory-set higher than needed, at 75C or 80C, which stops the boiler from running efficiently.
Turning off the pre-heat facility can also save money, as some combi boilers keep water heated when not in use. Readjusting thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) outside the living room to 1.5 degrees cooler than before can reduce bills by allowing control of each room's temperature individually. Reducing the thermostat temperature to 19C, from 20C, can also help save money.
Closing curtains at night acts as a barrier, preventing heat from escaping through the window and keeping the home warmer for longer. With 2027 predicted to be one of the hottest years on record, turning the heating off before April, when the weather is milder, can help make further savings.
Impact of the Money Saving Boiler Challenge
According to Nesta, its Money Saving Boiler Challenge has helped 3.1 million households save almost £300 million. The agency added that if a further one million households join the challenge and reduce their boiler flow temperature, this could increase the saving on bills by £57 million. If all six adjustments are made by those one million households, this could save £220 million in household energy costs across the UK by April.
Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Chief Customer Officer at Octopus Energy, said: "When bills are biting, every penny counts. We need to get homes off expensive, unpredictable gas and onto cheaper electric heating - but in the meantime, there are simple ways to make the heating you've got work harder for your money. Just five minutes tweaking your boiler settings could save you £57 a year. That's five minutes well spent - and money better off in your pocket."
Linsey McGarrigle, Chief Operating Officer at British Gas, said: "We're pleased to be working with Nesta on the Money Saving Boiler Challenge and helping more households understand the simple actions they can take to reduce their energy costs. Helping customers keep their homes warm and their bills as affordable as possible is important to us, and small changes, such as reducing a combi boiler's flow temperature, can make a real difference without affecting comfort."
Jo Alsop, Co-founder of The Heating Hub/Warmer Academy, said: "The cost of living crisis hasn't gone away and energy bills remain a real pressure for households. But there are still simple, practical things people can do to save money without sacrificing comfort. Lowering the flow temperature on a suitable boiler is one of them. We're really pleased to support Nesta in bringing this important message back to households, helping more people cut their bills and stay warm."
