There are millions of gas and oil boilers in homes across the UK. Here is how you can become more energy efficient with the heating system you already have, and cut your energy bills without replacing everything.
Install thermostatic radiator valves
Many homes do not have even basic heating controls such as thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs). A TRV senses the air temperature around your radiator and automatically adjusts how much hot water passes through to it. This stops the room overheating once it reaches the temperature you want, so the boiler is called on less often and your gas bill comes down.
Our heating controls serviceUpgrade your thermostat
A standard thermostat works like a light switch. It turns the boiler on at full power until the set temperature is reached, then switches it off completely. That stop-start approach is inefficient. A modulating thermostat adjusts the boiler’s output in real time to match the heat the room actually needs, so the boiler runs at lower, more efficient levels for longer. That can lead to significant savings, up to 12% in some cases.
Smart and modulating thermostatsAdd weather compensation
An outdoor sensor measures the temperature outside and the system automatically adjusts the flow temperature to suit. This keeps rooms at a steady temperature and stops the system over-heating or under-heating. It works especially well in homes that are heated constantly, or have large windows and poor insulation.
Zone your home
Heating zones mean only the parts of your home you are using get heated at any one time. That cuts wasted heat and can make a real difference to how much energy you use.
Reduce the flow temperature
Lowering the flow temperature to 55°C makes your boiler more efficient and is ideal for modern condensing boilers. At that temperature the boiler can run in its most efficient condensing mode, recovering heat from the flue gases, which means less gas used and lower bills.
Treat the system water
Dirt and air in your system have a big effect on efficiency. Your water quality should be checked and treated. That can mean adding an inhibitor to prevent corrosion and scale, flushing the system to remove sludge, and fitting a filter to catch metal particles. A thorough clean involves flushing with a cleaner, draining, then refilling with fresh water and inhibitor.
Powerflushing and system cleaningBalance the system
Where a system runs at a lower flow temperature, balancing it properly matters even more. It makes sure every radiator heats up evenly, which improves comfort and helps the boiler and the whole system run more efficiently.
Insulate
A home can lose around 25% of its heat through an uninsulated roof. Insulating the loft, tanks, pipes and hot water cylinder all help to stop heat escaping.
Draught proof
Gaps around doors and windows, or between walls and floors, let cold air in and lower the temperature of a room. Draught proofing keeps the heat in and reduces how hard your boiler has to work.
Upgrade your boiler
A new, efficient boiler can make a substantial difference to fuel use and bills. If you plan to stay in your home for a long time, a new gas or oil boiler is a sound investment. Whether you need a combi, system or regular boiler, we have an option for you. We are approved installers of Vaillant and Worcester Bosch, or we can offer a more cost-effective option from the Glow-worm range.
New boiler installationWant help making your heating more efficient?
Our Gas Safe and OFTEC registered engineers can check your system, fit the right controls or give you an honest view on whether a new boiler makes sense. We cover Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian and West Lothian from our offices in Dalkeith and Dunbar. Call 0131 660 1480 or get a free online boiler quote.
