Irish households could knock €115 off their heating bill with a simple energy hack.
Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has urged homes to check the "flow temperatures" of their boiler. This is the temperature a boiler heats up the water to before sending it to radiators.
Speaking on his Martin Lewis Money Show Live on British channel ITV last night, he explained how boilers should be at 60C - but most are programmed to be much higher, Mirror UK reports.
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He said: “You normally want it to be around 60C but most peoples boilers are set higher - that’s really inefficient. You can turn this down, it won’t affect the heat in your house, it’ll still be the same temperature.
“It won’t affect your hot water temperature - it might take slightly longer to get up to the maximum temperature.
“But it can cut £100 (€115) a year off your bill and is well worth everyone doing. This is an absolute no-brainer and everyone with a combi boiler should be trying this.”
Co-presenter Angellica Bell then shared a success story from one viewer who tweaked his boiler setting.
“His boiler had a high temp of 85C - he now has a boiler flow temperature of 60C which works just as well and saves money,” she explained.
If you’re unsure how to lower your boiler flow rate, Martin recommended using the free MoneySavingBoilerChallenge.com website.
Martin also explained other ways to get your home ready for the winter:
Get water-saving devices
This can include things like aerated shower heads, where some air is pumped through instead of water so you’re losing less water.
"I always talk about this when I talk about water saving, but actually the water you used is heated. We pay for it to be heated - use less water, use less heat," explained Martin.
"Could save you £50 (€57) a year on your heating bill if you’re having lots of shower."
Turn down the thermostat one degree
Martin urged views to take the thermostat challenge, when you turn your heating down by 1C if you're able to.
This could save you roughly 10% on your heating bill.
“The World Health Organisation says 18C is fine for healthy adults. Younger, older or ill, you might need more," said Martin.
He continued: “It’s not for me to tell you what to do but I’d like you to try reducing one degree. So say you’re at 21C, try reducing to 20°.“
Use your curtains tactfully
Put simply - this tip simply means thinking more carefully about when you open and close your curtains, to maximise the heat that stays in your home.
"When the sun is shining, it’s letting light and heat into the house, so you want the curtains open," said Martin.
"When it gets dark, it’s not, you want to keep the heat in, so close the curtains.
"I know we all know that but doing it rigorously can help insulate especially if you line it with a fleece and there are lots of tips online on how to do that cheaply."
Check your fridge temperature
Martin warned how many households have their fridge freezers set at the wrong temperature.
If this is you, you could be throwing away money.
"5° degrees is what your fridge needs to be set to, -18° for your freezer. If its colder, you’re wasting too much money," he said.
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