Octopus Energy urges households to make simple change to save £65

Many households across the UK have a combi boiler

Octopus Energy has encouraged households to make a few straightforward changes that could add up to savings of around £517.

One of these steps alone could cut costs by as much as £65, and it simply involves completing a basic money-saving boiler challenge.

The energy company urges: “Set your flow temperature to between 55 and 60 degrees on your combi boiler. Take a look at Nesta’s Money-Saving Boiler walkthrough to see how, depending on your boiler, you could save £65.”

Experts at MoneySuperMarket explain that a combi boiler is short for a combination boiler. It heats your water and provides central heating from one unit.

This is the most widely used type of boiler in the UK and a form of condensing boiler. Its key advantages are its compact size, as it doesn’t require a separate water tank.

It is also praised for its energy efficiency. This is because it heats water only when it’s needed.

According to Nesta, the company behind the challenge: “If 10 million households turned down the flow temperature on their combi boilers to 60C or below, this could wipe £1 billion off UK energy bills and save 1.7 million tonnes of carbon emissions – the equivalent of nearly six million people taking transatlantic flights.”

You can look at the challenge walkthrough here. It confirms: “You could save up to £65 a year on your gas bill by changing a single setting on your boiler.

“Combi boilers work best when they heat radiators to 60°C or below. But this ‘flow temperature’ is often set much too high, between 70C to 80C.

“It only takes a few minutes to lower your flow temperature, and it can be changed back instantly. There’s nothing to lose by trying it.”

How can I save money on my bills?

In its energy-saving tips, Octopus Energy has urged people to implement the following steps. It could save you over £500 on your bills.

1. Air dry, don’t tumble dry and avoid drying clothes on radiators as it makes your boiler work harder! – You could save £50
2. Mind the gaps by draught-proofing your home – You could save £85
3. Control your thermostat – Time it perfectly for when you need it, and you could save £90
4. Set your flow temperature to between 55 and 60 degrees on your combi boiler – Take a look at Nesta’s Money-Saving Boiler walkthrough to see how, depending on your boiler, you could save £65
5. Put an insulation jacket on your hot water tank – You could save £40. And check out how insulating your tanks, pipes, and radiators can make a big difference.
6. Switch off standby devices – You could save £45.
7. Reduce your shower time – You could save £45
8. Be bright with your lights, LED’s use 80% less electricity and last 20x longer than halogen bulbs – You could save £45.
9. Wash your clothes less and at 30 degrees – You could save £27
10. Change your shower head – You could save around £25

It adds: “Our 10 energy-saving tips could save you £517.”

Energy suppliers sitting on £3 billion of your cash – check if you can get a refund

Energy suppliers are currently holding around £3 billion in customer credit, prompting households to check whether they can reclaim some of it.

According to comparison site Uswitch, this total has risen by £179 million compared with last year, with the average household now in credit by nearly £200. You can find out more online here.