A boiler’s flow temperature is completely different from the number displayed on your thermostat
Octopus Energy has unveiled a method for potentially saving up to ‘£65’ annually on heating costs—and it involves just one simple switch. The energy giant included its advice among a series of energy-saving tips online at a time when millions are struggling with higher bills in the UK.
Citing statistics from Nesta, Octopus Energy explained that lowering your boiler’s flow setting control may be key to saving money on these expenses. This setting defines the water temperature as it exits your boiler, which is typically set quite high by default.
The energy firm explained: “Turn it down a bit and your home will feel just as warm, but you could cut your energy bills by 12% and save up to £65 according to Nesta. If you have a combi boiler, we recommend setting your flow temperature to 50°C for heating and 55°C for hot water to save energy.
“If you have a boiler and a hot water cylinder, we recommend setting the flow temperature on your boiler to a few degrees over 60°C for heating and hot water, and setting your hot water cylinder to 60°C (you’ll usually find the control for your cylinder ⅓ of the way up the tank).”
While often overlooked, it is important to note that a boiler’s flow temperature is completely different from the number displayed on your thermostat. If you set a thermostat to 15°C, a boiler will then heat water much hotter than that before sending it around your home until the temperature reaches 15°C.
According to research by Which?, a typical boiler has a flow temperature set between 75 and 80°C. Reducing this will still enable heating to circulate around your home, but could mean your boiler uses less gas and runs more efficiently.
However, the actual amount of money you save from this will depend on your home. The Which? Team explain: “Reducing flow temperature means your radiators won’t be as hot to the touch and it’ll take longer for your rooms to get up to temperature.
“As long as your home is reasonably well insulated, your boiler will run more efficiently and you’ll be using less energy to achieve the same room temperature, which will save you money.
“But for homes that are not well insulated or have small radiators (also known as ‘undersized’), the benefits might not be as good. In these situations, your central heating might struggle to work properly with lower flow temperatures.”
If you are unsure about how well your home is insulated or whether your radiators are undersized, Which? recommends scheduling a boiler service. During these appointments, an engineer should advise you on how to best adjust your flow temperature while considering the specific aspects of your home.
Nesta, home of the Money Saving Boiler Challenge, also provides a quick online test to help determine what you can do about your flow temperature. This test takes only a few minutes to complete.
For information, you can access its website here.
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