WITH many parts of the UK reeling from the aftermath of Storm Henk, and more cold weather and heavy rain forecast, households are relying especially heavily on their central heating right now.
But homeowners are being warned of five boiler mistakes that could be costing them a packet, and one in particular.
1
While budgets are being stretched by gas and electricity bills going through the roof, it could be down to more than just energy price hikes, according to Danielle Robinson, central heating category manager at Toolstation.
She told The Sun: “There are some common errors which could be costing you hundreds not only in the winter, but also in the summer, too.”
In fact, the potential cost, if mistakes are made and issues get ignored, could easily be more than £3,000 for a new boiler and installation.
Danielle added: “The good news is, there are simple tweaks you can make to help keep costs as low as possible in the coming months – and to avoid a full boiler breakdown.”
Read more in Bills
Here we take a closer look.
Leaving the boiler on 24/7
According to Danielle, many people make the mistake of leaving their boiler on all the time.
“Contrary to popular belief, it is more costly to keep a home’s heating on constantly, rather than at specific times of day,” she said.
“This is because heat loss naturally occurs. According to the Energy Saving Trust, 25% of a home’s heat is typically lost through the roof alone.”
Most read in Money
Danielle warns that having hot water 24/7 means you’re using more energy than necessary – but luckily most boilers come with timers.
“Costs can quickly add up,” she said.
“By setting a timer on your boiler, you can ensure you’re only heating water when you need to.
“It’s unlikely you’ll need your radiators and hot water on constantly – even in the height of winter.”
Danielle suggests that, if it fits with your daily routine, it could be worth only having your water heated in the morning and night – if these are the times when you shower.
The energy-saving supremo added: “Likewise, if you know you’re out of the house for work, it’s worth making sure the heating is just on when you’re up and getting ready in the morning – and when you return from work.”
An efficient central heating system in a well-insulated home should keep the heat in for a few hours, even once switched off.
“It’s worth considering if you need it on for the full evening,” said Danielle. “You may find just a few hours suffice.”
When it comes to the summer months, you’ll probably need your hot water on a lot less, and there will be almost no need to have your central heating on at all.
Forgetting to get your boiler serviced regularly
Household budgets may be stretched to their limits due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, but you can’t afford to cut corners on boiler maintenance in a bid to try to save cash.
Danielle said: “Servicing your boiler is the best way to keep your home functioning during the colder months.
“Services identify problems such as limescale deposits and leaks before they worsen, or become costly to repair.
“This can help to prevent heat loss – saving you money in the long run.”
It may seem like yet another expense, but it’s a price worth paying.
“It’s recommended to have your boiler serviced by a professional at least once a year – and ideally ahead of winter,” said the central heating whizz.
“Small problems can quickly become big problems, so it’s best to get any potential issues identified as soon as you can.”
As well as ensuring your boiler is running smoothly, a service can also check for any water or gas leaks.
Think of it as an MOT, or an all-over health check.
Getting your boiler serviced now will serve you well during the summer months, too – helping to save you money all year round.
A typical service costs between £80 and £130, depending on where you live.
You can book a service with any Gas Safe Registered Engineer, though you may prefer to do so via your energy company.
If you do end up needing a new boiler, see if you can take advantage of a £7,500 grant through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Failing to reduce a combi boiler’s flow temperature
Another top tip from Danielle is to reduce your boiler settings.
“Depending on the combi boiler model, you can usually adjust the flow temperature by opening the flap to reveal the digital display,” she said.
“Once you’ve done this, you’ll likely see two dials or settings.
“One of these controls the hot water from your taps, and the other controls the radiators in your home.”
According to Danielle, you’ll just need to adjust the temperature for the radiators.
“You can usually adjust the temperature slightly – without noticing too much of a difference,” she said.
“But if you do adjust your boiler settings, it’s useful to take a picture or write down a note of the current settings.
“That way, you can readjust should you need to.”
Leaving your boiler’s pre-heat function switched on
Many combi boilers have a pre-heat function, meaning water in the system is always kept at a specific temperature, according to Danielle.
“The aim of this is to provide hot water on demand,” she said.
“But using this setting could mean you’re heating water unnecessarily.
“Turning off the ‘pre-heat function’ can save energy, and especially if hot water isn’t required for most of the day, such as while you’re at work, or for hours on end overnight.”
Danielle suggests that if it fits with your routine, you could try turning off this function.
“This could save you quite a bit on heating without inconveniencing you too much,” she said.
“It may mean you have to wait slightly longer for the shower to get warm in the morning.
“But it will save your boiler from firing up all day and night unnecessarily, helping you save both in the winter and the summer months.”
Getting lazy about bleeding your radiators
This tip relates more to radiators – as opposed to your boiler – but is still an important mistake to avoid.
“Ignoring your heating units is a false economy,” said Danielle.
“Bleeding your radiators is the best way to keep them heating your house efficiently – and a good way to cut back on your bills.”
The first step, according to the heating aficionado, is to check your heating is turned off, so the units aren’t too hot to touch.
“Next, you’ll need to locate the bleed valve – usually found on the top corner,” she said.
“These valves look like a round hole with a square inside.
“Once located, open the valve to release the air, then insert the key and slowly turn it anti-clockwise for around a quarter turn.”
As the air escapes, you should hear a hissing sound.
“That will stop once the radiator has been fully bled,” said Danielle.
“To finish, close the valve and then check your radiator function by switching on your central heating and hot water – and waiting for your radiators to heat up.”
If you don t have a key already, you can pick up a pack on Amazon from around £3.
Smarten up your act
While giving your boiler the once-over, this could be a good time to think about investing in a smart thermostat, such as Nest, Hive or Tado.
Read more on The Sun
Read more here. One of these nifty little devices could improve your home’s energy efficiency, helping to save you money.
However, keep in mind they come with a small upfront investment.
