Energy Saving
How to Reduce Your Heating Bills
Reviewed by our Gas Safe registered engineers · Last updated 22 July 2026
There’s no single trick to cheaper heating — it’s a handful of free habits plus a few upgrades that genuinely pay back. Here’s what actually works, roughly what it saves, and what to skip.
Quick answer: The biggest free wins are turning the thermostat down a degree or two, setting a schedule around when you’re actually home, bleeding radiators, and turning down rooms you don’t use. Worthwhile paid upgrades are a smart thermostat, a boiler service to keep it efficient, insulation, and — if your boiler allows — lowering the flow temperature. Skip anything promising huge savings from a gadget alone; the real gains come from using less heat, not magic.
What Works
The changes that add up
Rough guide savings for a typical home — your actual figures depend on the house, the boiler and how you use it.
| The change | Rough saving | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Turn the thermostat down 1°C | Often around £80–£100 a year | Free |
| Set a proper schedule | Often 5–10% | Free |
| Bleed radiators & turn down unused rooms | A few % | Free |
| Lower the boiler flow temperature | Up to around 6–8% on a combi | Free (we set it) |
| Fit a smart thermostat | Around 5–15% of heating | £180–£320 |
| Annual boiler service | Keeps efficiency up | £75–£120 |
| Improve loft & draught insulation | Significant, home-dependent | Varies |
Free vs Paid
Where to start
Free changes
Turn the thermostat down a degree, build a schedule around your actual routine, bleed cold radiators, close doors, and turn down radiators in rooms you don’t use. None of it costs a penny, and together it adds up.
Worth paying for
A smart thermostat, an annual service, loft and draught insulation, and lowering the boiler’s flow temperature (we can do that free at a visit). These pay back over time — unlike miracle gadgets that promise big savings on their own.
Engineer Insight
The flow-temperature trick
The one people overlook is boiler flow temperature. Most combis are set to run hotter than they need to, which stops them condensing efficiently. Turning the flow temperature down to around 50–60°C lets the boiler condense properly and can cut gas use several percent — your radiators just run a touch cooler for a little longer, and most homes don’t notice the difference. We’ll set it correctly at a service, free. See our boiler efficiency guide for the detail.
Costs
The upgrades that pay back
Typical North London guide prices — you’ll always get an upfront quote before any work starts.
FAQs
Cutting heating bills — your questions answered
What’s the cheapest way to cut my heating bills?
The free ones: turn the thermostat down a degree, set a schedule that matches when you’re home, bleed radiators, and turn down rooms you don’t use. Together these often save more than any single gadget.
Does turning the thermostat down really save money?
Yes — each degree lower typically saves a meaningful amount over a heating season, often around £80–£100 a year for 1°C in a typical home. You reach comfort at a lower setting once the house is warm.
Will a smart thermostat lower my bills?
It can, usually 5–15% off heating, mostly by making it easy to heat less and turn down when you’re out. The savings come from using it well, not the device itself.
What is boiler flow temperature and why does it matter?
It’s how hot the boiler heats the water for your radiators. Many combis run hotter than needed, which stops them condensing efficiently. Lowering it to around 50–60°C can cut gas use several percent — we set it at a service.
Is loft insulation worth it?
Usually yes — a lot of heat escapes through the roof, so topping up loft insulation and sealing draughts is one of the better-value upgrades. It also makes your heating schedule work better by holding warmth longer.
Related
Related guides
The flow-temperature trick in detail.
Read guideEnergy SavingLeave Heating On Low All Day?Settling the on-low question.
Read guideSmart ControlsHow to Set Your Heating ScheduleBuild a schedule that saves.
Read guideEnergy SavingInsulation TipsStop the heat escaping in the first place.
Read guideSmart ControlsSmart Thermostat GuideWhether smart controls pay off.
Read guideMaintenanceSigns Your Boiler Needs ServicingAn efficient boiler costs less to run.
Read guideBrowse all Energy Saving guides, or head back to the Help & Advice Centre.
Want lower bills? Start with an efficient boiler.
Book a service to set your flow temperature and keep the boiler efficient, or call for honest advice on what’s worth doing. North London, upfront pricing.
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