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Daily Record
Daily Record
Lifestyle
Nicola Roy & Zahra Khaliq

Boiler hack that could 'slash your energy bills by £70' takes just one minute to do

Many of us will be looking for ways to cut costs this winter, as energy prices skyrocket and the cost of living crisis continues.

Household bills are something that's difficult to cut back on, but one former finance journalist has shared a simple thing that we can all do to save money.

Sophie Smith posted the simple boiler hack to TikTok - and it only takes a minute to do, but could save you significant money.

In a short tutorial, she explains: "Turn your boiler's flow temperature down to 50C heating and 55C water.

"The settings for most boilers is too high. This simple step could save you money and your home will feel just as warm."

In an on-screen caption, she claims you can even cut your energy bills by £70 a year when doing this.

Other TikTok users responded, saying they have used the trick and saved a great deal of money on their energy bills.

One person wrote: "I have always done this and probably saves a lot more than £70."

Another said: "Done this ages ago, save a fortune on gas!"

However, not everyone was satisfied with the hack, with some complaining that the lower temperature setting means it takes longer for their homes to heat up.

One person said: "My hot water is fine set at 48 but if I turn the central heating down the house doesn't warm up, can take about three hours to reach temp even at 80."

Another said: "The biggest savings are had by turning off preheat. If you turn the heating low the boiler will run longer for rooms to reach temperature. False economy."

While one suggested: "Turn the boiler off unless heating is needed. Hot water never makes it to the tap when washing hands. I only have it on if I know need hot water/heating in my home."

Energy prices are set to rise again next month (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

It's worth noting that these tips are only safe to try if you have a combi boiler fitted in your home.

Hot water cylinder boilers are not appropriate for these hacks, as turning the temperature down on a hot water cylinder can cause Legionnaire's disease - a severe form of pneumonia caused by bacteria called legionella.

Harland Guscot, a boiler engineer and owner of Guscott Heating Services, also told the Mirror about the benefits of lowering your boiler temperature.

For every 10C cut you make to your boiler's temperature, your gas bill falls by 6% to 8%.

The average three-person home uses around 12,000kWh of gas a year.

That works out at around £840 a year at current price cap levels, with an additional £98.55 a year in standing charges, which you pay regardless how much gas you use.

That example home could save £50 to £67.20 if they were able to cut their boiler temperature by just 10C.

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