Blog
10 ways to improve energy efficiency
12th November 2025
Introduction
There are millions of existing gas and oil boilers in our homes. Here’s how you can become more energy efficient with what you already have.
1. Install thermostatic radiator valves 🔊
Many homes don’t even have very basic controls such as thermostatic radiator valves (TRV’s). A TRV will sense the air temperature around your radiator and automatically adjust the amount of hot water being passed through the valve to the radiator. This ensures the room does not overheat once it has reached the desired temperature, resulting in less call for heat from the boiler. This in turns will save you on your gas bill.
2. Upgrade your thermostat 🌡️
A standard thermostat acts like a light switch, turning the boiler on at full power until the set temperature is reached, then switching it off completely. This "stop-start" method is inefficient. A modulating thermostat, however, adjusts (modulates) the boiler's power output in real-time to match the precise heat demand of the room. This means the boiler operates at lower, more efficient power levels for longer periods, which can lead to significant energy savings (up to 12% in some cases) and lower fuel bills.
3. Add weather compensation ☔
For homes with consistent heating needs, weather compensating heating controls provide steady comfort. An outdoor sensor measures the outside temperature and the system automatically adjusts the flow temperature to compensate. This helps maintain a consistent room temperature by preventing the system from over-heating or under-heating and is more efficient for buildings that are heated constantly, or have large windows and poor insulation.
4. Zone your home 💷
Creating heating zones within your home ensures that only the areas in use are heated at any given time. This substantially reduces wasted heat and can drastically reduce your energy consumption.
5. Reduce the flow temperature 🔥
Reducing the flow temperature to 55°C makes your boiler more efficient, saves energy and money, and is ideal for modern condensing boilers. Setting the temperature this low allows the boiler to operate in its most efficient "condensing mode," which recovers latent heat from flue gases, leading to lower gas consumption and reduced energy bills.
6. Treat the system water 💧
Dirt and air can have a significant impact on heating efficiency. Your water quality should be checked and treated accordingly. This can involve using chemical inhibitors to prevent corrosion and scale, flushing the system to remove sludge, and using filters to capture metal particles. A thorough cleaning may involve flushing with a cleaner, draining, and then refilling the system with fresh water and an inhibitor.
7. Balance the system ⚖️
Where a heating system runs on a lower flow temperature, balancing the system properly is particularly important. This will ensure all radiators heat up evenly, improving comfort and efficiency. This process saves energy and money on bills by optimizing the boiler's performance and making the entire system work more efficiently.
8. Insulate 🧦
Homes can lose 25% of their heat through an uninsulated roof. Insulated attic spaces, tanks pipes and hot water cylinders will help prevent heat loss.
9. Draft Proof 💨
Gaps around doors and windows, or between walls and floors let cold air in, which lowers the ambient temperature of a room. Draft proofing measures prevent heat escaping and reduce the heat output required from your boiler.
10. Upgrade your boiler ♨️
A new, efficient boiler can substantially reduce fuel use and bills. If you are planning on staying in your property for a long period of time, a new gas or oil boiler is a sound investment. Whether it be a combi boiler, system boiler or regular boiler, we have an option for you. We are approved installers of Vaillant and Worcester boilers or can offer a more cost effective option from our Glow-worm range. Click here for options we offer.
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