Now the cold weather is well and truly here many are seeking innovative ways to curb energy expenses, and who better to heed advice from than the Money Saving Expert?

Often, even minor adjustments can lead to substantial savings, especially when it comes to your boiler and heating system. There are three crucial factors to bear in mind as outdoor temperatures plummet to ensure a warm and economical home.

However, it’s worth noting that if you’re ever uncertain about managing your home system, you should refer to your boiler instruction manual. Alternatively, it’s always recommended to seek advice from a Gas Safe-registered professional.

Martin Lewis shared that merely reducing your thermostat by one degree could have a more significant impact than most anticipate. This is the simplest tip the expert suggests, as, according to the Energy Saving Trust, this slight decrease could save around £90 for an average household.

Many people typically set their thermostats in the 20s, but simply dropping from 21°C to 20°C, for instance, could result in considerable long-term savings. The World Health Organisation suggests 18°C as the optimal temperature for healthy adults, with a slightly warmer setting recommended for the elderly or young, reports <a href=”https://www.express.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/2127216/martin-lewis-money-saving-expert” rel=”Follow” target=”_self”>the Express</a>.

The Money Saving Expert has revealed another money-saving tip for households with combi boilers – a simple adjustment that could slash your annual gas bill by £65.

Combi boilers are the most prevalent type found in British homes, and one method to reduce costs is by lowering the flow temperature.

This refers to the water circulating through the system that heats your radiators, which is typically set considerably higher than necessary by default. This prevents the boiler from operating at peak efficiency, and by adjusting this setting, you could reduce your gas consumption by 3%.

The website explains: “Combi boilers work best when they heat radiators to 60°C or below. But this flow temperature is often set much too high, often between 70°C and 80°C.”

If you don’t own a combi boiler, there’s no need to worry – there are still methods to adjust your settings to enhance your system’s efficiency and ultimately reduce your bills.

For those with a boiler and hot water cylinder, the Heating Hub recommends setting it to 70°C for safety reasons.

To prevent the risk of legionella bacteria developing in stored water within the cylinder, the Health and Safety Executive stipulates that hot water must be maintained at a minimum temperature of 60°C, requiring the boiler to provide a higher temperature to compensate for heat loss during water transfer to the cylinder.

Your boiler can be recalibrated to have temperatures configured separately, but when undertaking such work you should always employ a Gas Safe engineer for assistance.

Subsequently, you can reduce the flow temperature for your heating and consequently lower your gas bills, all while ensuring your hot water remains as safe as possible.