Strategies for Adjusting Boiler Flow Temperature to Reduce Energy Costs
In the quest for energy efficiency and cost savings, adjusting the flow temperature of your boiler can be a simple yet effective step. Here's what you need to know.
John Small, home energy expert and owner of Ty Eco, advises ensuring your settings are safe and suitable for your system when lowering the flow temperature. Lowering the boiler flow temperature on a combi boiler can save an average household around £65 a year, as mentioned by Mike Storey, insulation expert at UK Flat Roofing.
However, without proper insulation, any savings from lowering boiler flow temperature will be limited. Mike Storey emphasizes that insulation is often the most effective way to reduce energy costs and should be the first step before fine-tuning heating settings.
For boilers with a hot water tank, lowering the temperature too much can allow bacteria to grow. Therefore, it's crucial to strike a balance between energy efficiency and hygiene.
A lower flow temperature will mean your home takes slightly longer to heat up, but the efficiency gains are well worth the wait, provided your home is well-insulated. In modern, well-insulated homes, a flow temperature as low as 45°C during spring and summer can be used, increasing to between 50°C and 55°C in winter.
Refer to trusted guides like Nesta's Money Saving Boiler Challenge for guidance on adjusting the flow temperature. Adjust the flow temperature gradually and monitor your home's comfort.
For older homes, John Small recommends a flow temperature of around 55°C in warmer months and closer to 60°C in the winter. Mike Storey, who has been providing expert roofing and insulation solutions since 2014 at UK Flat Roofing, suggests that without proper insulation, any adjustments to boiler flow temperature will have limited impact.
In summary, for an energy-efficient UK home, aim for a flow temperature of about 55°C in well-insulated conditions and mild weather, rising to around 60°C during colder months or in less insulated homes to balance comfort and efficiency optimally. Remember, insulation is crucial for maximizing energy savings and combating energy price rises.
To adjust the flow temperature on a combi boiler, locate the temperature controls on the front and use the plus and minus buttons or the dial. Always consult your boiler's manual or a qualified engineer if you're unsure about the controls.
[1] Ty Eco (2021). Boiler Flow Temperature: A Guide to Energy Efficiency and Comfort. [Online] Available at: https://www.tyeco.co.uk/boiler-flow-temperature-guide/ [2] UK Flat Roofing (2021). Boiler Flow Temperature: How to Save Energy and Money. [Online] Available at: https://www.ukflatroofing.co.uk/blog/boiler-flow-temperature-how-to-save-energy-and-money/ [3] Nesta (2020). Money Saving Boiler Challenge: How to Save Energy and Money on Your Boiler. [Online] Available at: https://www.nesta.org.uk/project/money-saving-boiler-challenge/
- When adjusting your boiler's flow temperature for energy efficiency, ensure the settings are safe and suitable for your system, as advised by John Small of Ty Eco.
- Insulation is often the most effective way to reduce energy costs, as stated by Mike Storey, an insulation expert at UK Flat Roofing, and should be the first step before fine-tuning heating settings.
- Lowering the boiler flow temperature on a combi boiler can save an average household around £65 a year, according to Mike Storey.
- For boilers with a hot water tank, lowering the temperature too much can allow bacteria to grow, so it's crucial to strike a balance between energy efficiency and hygiene.
- A well-insulated home can use a flow temperature as low as 45°C during spring and summer, increasing to between 50°C and 55°C in winter, as suggested in the Nesta's Money Saving Boiler Challenge guide.
- In older homes, John Small suggests a flow temperature of around 55°C in warmer months and closer to 60°C in the winter, and Mike Storey highlights that without proper insulation, any adjustments to boiler flow temperature will have limited impact.
