Simple two-minute check could save households £325 this summer

With the cold winter months coming to an end, and as we head into spring and summer, you'll likely be turning off your central heating. You may also think that once the heating is off, you don't have to worry about the bills associated with it anymore; however, this isn't entirely true.

Thermostats, timers, and system quirks can still trigger the boiler, quietly driving up energy bills. With this in mind, Mark Gamble, Head of Supplier Relations at Utility Bidder, has shared essential boiler checks to help keep bills down. He said: "Taking the time to check your boiler settings now not only helps reduce unnecessary energy use during the warmer months

"Many people assume that once the heating is off, their energy use drops completely, but in reality, timers, thermostats, and default settings can still trigger the system in the background."

Check for a summer setting

Mark's first tip is to check if your boiler has a special summer setting, as simply switching to summer mode can save you up to £20 a month. He said: "Most modern boilers have a summer setting that turns off central heating completely, while still allowing you to heat water when needed.

"This means your boiler will ignore signals from thermostats or timers that might otherwise trigger the heating accidentally, helping to cut unnecessary energy use."

Turn your thermostat down one degree

Reducing your thermostat by just one degree can make a noticeable difference to your energy bills, saving £80-£150 per year. Most households won’t feel a difference, but your boiler won’t have to work as hard to maintain the temperature.

Tighten your timers

"If your heating or hot water is on longer than needed, you’re paying for energy you’re not using. Setting your timers to come on just before you wake up or get home, and turning them off earlier in the evening, can help reduce unnecessary use," explains the expert.

"Keeping hot water to set times rather than leaving it on continuously can also make a difference, with even cutting back an hour or two a day adding up to noticeable savings over time."

Use pump protection settings

Some boilers have built-in features that run occasionally to stop parts from seizing up, helping you to avoid expensive repairs. Make sure this setting stays on even in the summer months, as it uses minimal energy and can help prevent bigger issues down the line.

Lower your flow temperatures

Turning down your boiler’s flow temperature can make it run far more efficiently, without making your home feel colder. Mark explains: "Check your boiler settings and reduce the flow temperature to around 60°C or lower.

"This helps modern boilers run in ‘condensing mode’, which uses less energy. Setting the flow temperature to the correct settings can increase the boiler’s efficiency by around 15%."

Under the current Ofgem price cap, that simple adjustment equates to a roughly £325 saving a year on your gas bill.

Reduce your water temperature

Overheating your water can waste energy, and therefore increase your bills. Lower your hot water temperature slightly, typically to around 50-55°C for combi boilers, and this will reduce bills while still giving you hot water.