Scientists Discover Free Boiler Adjustment That Cuts Energy Bills
Scientists at Energy House 2.0, the UK's largest energy research initiative, have revealed a remarkably simple and completely free method that households can implement to significantly reduce their energy expenditure. The groundbreaking discovery centres on adjusting a single setting on domestic boilers that could lead to substantial savings on gas bills.
The Flow Temperature Adjustment That Makes All The Difference
Research has demonstrated that modifying the boiler's flow temperature represents the most effective technique for cutting energy consumption without compromising home comfort. By simply lowering this setting from the typical default of 80 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius, households can achieve an impressive 12 per cent reduction in their gas usage.
Energy specialists explain that the flow temperature determines how hot the water leaves the boiler to heat your home and provide hot water. At their factory settings, these temperatures are usually unnecessarily high, which doesn't actually make homes warmer but substantially increases both bills and carbon emissions.
Real-World Results From Thousands Of Households
The effectiveness of this adjustment has been proven through extensive real-world testing. Octopus Energy reported that 115,000 customers tried this energy-saving tip, with an overwhelming 93 per cent rating it as useful. The advice proved so popular that it spread rapidly through online forums and was eventually picked up by national and local media outlets.
One satisfied Octopus Energy customer shared their experience on social media platform X, stating: "I reduced my gas consumption by a whopping 16% simply by turning down the boiler flow temp to 55C." This demonstrates that even greater savings than the initial 12 per cent estimate are achievable for many households.
Expert Recommendations For Maximum Savings
Energy companies have provided specific guidance based on their research. Octopus Energy recommends setting your boiler's flow temperature between 55 and 60 degrees Celsius, assuring customers that "your home will feel just as warm, but you could see real savings on your typical gas use."
For households with combi boilers, experts suggest setting the flow temperature to 50 degrees Celsius for heating and 55 degrees Celsius for hot water. While this adjustment might mean water takes slightly longer to heat up, the substantial gas and carbon dioxide savings make it well worthwhile.
Addressing The Challenges Of Older Properties
Oliver Novakovic, Innovation Lead at Barratt Redrow, highlighted how this simple adjustment can particularly benefit residents in older, less energy-efficient homes. "The large number of poorly insulated, older homes across the country can cause stress for those living in them as we approach winter," he explained.
Novakovic also offered additional advice for maximising energy efficiency: "Try to locate draughty areas around your home so that you can fix them before the freezing temperatures set in. The gadget that will make a world of difference, when you're trying to work out why your house is cold, is a smoke pencil draught detector. You can pick one of these up for less than £50 to easily find the places where air is leaking."
Why This Simple Change Is So Effective
Energy experts compare running a boiler at unnecessarily high flow temperatures to "putting your foot flat to the floor when driving – it's hugely wasteful but doesn't really affect your journey time." While households often debate thermostat settings, few people ever consider adjusting their boiler's internal configuration, making this discovery particularly valuable.
This straightforward adjustment represents a rare opportunity for households to achieve immediate energy savings without any financial investment, specialised equipment, or compromise on comfort. As energy prices remain a significant concern for millions of UK households, this scientifically-backed advice offers a practical solution that anyone with a boiler can implement today.
