British Gas customers could get £65 off energy bill by changing boiler setting

British Gas has shared advice on how to cut your energy bills this winter, including one very simple trick to reduce gas usage by 9% each year and save you £65

British Gas is advising customers to tweak a specific setting on their boilers to save approximately £65 annually on their gas bills. Amidst a 10% hike in energy bills, the energy supplier suggests that 'reducing your boiler flow temperature' to between 55 and 60 degrees could shave off a significant amount from your annual gas expenditure.

It's important to note that this adjustment is distinct from lowering your thermostat or altering your hot water settings. The Heating Hub clarifies: "A recent study by Nesta* found that households can save around 9% in gas just by dialling down the heating flow temperature on their condensing combi boiler. To be clear, this is not turning down your thermostat."

They further explain that most combi boilers are not set up for optimal efficiency, leading to higher gas bills and increased carbon emissions.

Adjusting the heating's operating temperature can enhance boiler efficiency without compromising comfort. "The 'flow temperature' is the temperature your boiler heats up the water to before sending it off to your radiators. Most gas boilers are set up to operate at what is called 80/60 flow and return temperatures. This means the boiler heats up the water (called 'the flow') to 80°C. The water returns to the boiler after travelling around all your radiators (called 'the return') at 60°C, having given off 20°C to the room."

"However 80/60 flow and return temperatures are too high for a condensing gas boiler to achieve the A-rated efficiencies shown 'on-the-box'. It is a little known fact that modern boilers have a variable efficiency between A-E, in other words they are not A-rated out of the box. Studies have found most to be C-E-Rated in the home, equivalent to just 75-85% efficiency.", reports the Express.

To adjust the flow temperature, homeowners should refer to their manufacturer's guide or the settings menu on their boiler, depending on its age.