A HEATING expert has revealed how little-known boiler tricks could help you to slash your energy bills.
Energy prices are currently sky high so it’s a handy trick to known a few tips to avoid over spending.
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Currently, thanks to the energy price guarantee, the average household pays an average of £2,500 for gas and electricity and this is limited until April 2023.
From there it will rise to £3,000.
But since you could pay more if you use more energy, some eager money-savers are keeping an eye out for common mistakes which could cost you more.
Rebecca Davies, an energy expert at RD Heat, shared four tips with The Express that will help households keep energy prices low.
Combi-boiler vs heat-only
Rebecca said households should consider having a combi-boiler over a less efficient heat-only boiler.
Heat-only boilers are usually found in larger properties, drawing water from a cylinder rather than from the main.
Rebecca said this means you will run out of water more frequently.
She said: “This is not an entirely efficient solution, as the boiler then has to refill with cold water and heat up to the appropriate temperature.
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“The cylinder may also heat up more water than required, further raising heating bills.”
Old boilers might only reach 60% efficiency, which effectively means that 40% of the money you spend heating your home is unnecessary.
That compares with a modern combi boiler, which will typically be 90% efficient or more.
Make sure you seek advice from an expert, and a take a look at your budget, before you decide to make the switch.
You can also check to see if you could be entitled to a grant to replace your old boiler.
Check if your boiler is on eco-mode
If you have a combi boiler with an eco mode, make sure it’s set to this as this will stop your water overheating.
If it doesn’t have an eco mode, you will need to check the two dials on the boiler.
One controls your central heating, which you can leave, and the other sets your hot water tap temperature.
Turn the second dial down to 50C.
Households with system or regular boilers can still turn down the temperature, but every control panel will vary.
You’ll have to check your operators manual for more information.
Both of these systems include a water tank, so you’ll also need to check the minimum heat requirements on the Health and Safety Executive website.
Rebecca said: “Lowering the eco-mode to about 55 to 60C on your condensing boiler will turn down the radiator flow temperature which dictates the temperature of the water that travels through your radiators.
“Making this change can save you up to nine percent on your gas bills, meaning households could save up to £225 on their yearly bill.”
Switch to a system boiler
Rebecca said larger households that have more than one full bathroom should consider switching to a system boiler.
This is a middle ground between a combi and a heat-only.
A system boiler uses a cylinder that is large enough to store plenty of hot water that can then be supplied to multiple rooms and utilities at once.
A system boiler stores the hot water in a cylinder and they can determine exactly the output of water they need based on demand and the size of the property.
Rebecca said they extract over 90 percent of the heat from the fuel that they burn to heat water and are therefore highly cost-effective,
Turn off the boiler’s pre-heat settings
Switching off the boiler’s pre-heat setting and turning down the temperature can help you to lower your energy costs.
The pre-heat setting involves the boiler retaining some hot water for whenever someone needs to run a shower, or run a tap.
Rebecca said: “Simply switch off the pre-heat option on your boiler.
“This way, your boiler will no longer be storing hot water that is not being used.
“Although this means you will have to wait a short while for the water to heat up when using the shower or other utilities, you will be able to save between five to 10 percent on your heating bill.”
What else to check on your boiler?
One thing to check on your boiler is the pressure.
Experts typically say the pressure should be between one and two on the gauge.
Any lower and it might mean the boiler can’t fire up properly, which means it’s working harder and less efficiently.
And just as your kettle gets a build up or grime and limescale, so can your boiler.
Broomfield said: “Over time, boilers can build up deposits inside them that make them less efficient, and that’s why it’s important to have your boiler serviced every year.
“This will ensure both that your boiler is running efficiently, but also that it is safe.”
Experts say you should switch your boiler on intermittently, even in the months you don’t use, it to help prevent the build up.
And remember, your boiler doesn’t do all of the work by itself – don’t forget your radiators.
Regularly bleeding your radiators will get rid of trapped air and make sure they’re heating up properly.
Can I get help with a new boiler?
Buying a new boiler might be the best solution in some circumstances, but it’s not cheap.
The Energy Saving Trust estimates that families in a detached house can save up to £315 a year by upgrading from a G-rated boiler to a new A-rated condensing boiler.
There is some help available though, which can help bring down the cost.
The Energy Company Obligation is a government scheme to help hard-up households make their home more energy efficient.
You can get grants for insulation, and also new boilers, which can help drive down your energy bills.
The help could be a lifeline for households struggling to pay for soaring costs this winter as the weather gets colder.
The sun has put together a handy guide to everything you need to know about this scheme.
You could also get help through your council’s Household Support Fund.
You can find your local authority using the government checker and find out what assistance is available in your area.
