With UK households still feeling the strain of high energy prices, heating engineers have a critical role to play in helping customers cut their energy use and control costs, says HHIC.
Stewart Clements, Director at the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC), believes heating engineers can help homeowners improve the performance of their existing systems and make meaningful savings in the process.
He says: “Simple, cost-effective optimisation measures can deliver meaningful savings and improve comfort at a time when support is much needed. These improvements can be made by the heating engineer while carrying out a routine service.”
Many domestic heating systems are not operating at peak efficiency, often because of incorrect settings, poorly configured controls or system design issues. In many cases, these problems can be addressed quickly by a qualified heating engineer.
Adjust the boiler flow temperature
One of the simplest and most effective measures is adjusting the boiler flow temperature. In many homes, boilers are set higher than necessary, increasing fuel consumption.
Reducing the flow temperature—typically to around 60°C, depending on the system—can significantly improve efficiency, particularly in condensing boilers, and provide immediate cost savings.
Get the controls right
Heating controls are fundamental to efficient operation, yet they are often missing, incorrectly configured or poorly understood by householders.
Installers should ensure that systems include a working room thermostat, a properly configured timer or programmer, and thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) on most radiators.
Correctly set controls allow households to heat only the rooms they need, when they need them, reducing energy waste while improving comfort. Taking the time to explain how the controls work can also make a substantial difference to household energy consumption.
Balance the system
An unbalanced heating system can cause some rooms to overheat while others remain cold. This often leads householders to turn up the heating, increasing energy use unnecessarily.
Balancing the radiators ensures heat is distributed evenly throughout the property. This improves overall system performance and can prevent the boiler from firing more frequently than required.
Smart TRVs with built-in system-balancing features can also help ensure the system operates efficiently.
Identify pipework constraints
Older properties may still use microbore pipework, typically measuring 8mm or 10mm in diameter. This can restrict water flow and reduce system efficiency.
Although immediate replacement may not always be necessary, installers should be aware of potential limitations, particularly where customers report poor heat distribution or excessive noise.
Where practical, upgrading sections of pipework to a larger diameter can improve circulation and system performance. It can also help futureproof the property for the installation of lower-temperature heating systems.
Check radiator performance
Radiators that are undersized or poorly positioned may struggle to heat rooms effectively, resulting in longer running times and higher energy bills.
Installers can assess whether radiators are providing sufficient heat and recommend targeted upgrades where necessary, particularly in colder parts of the home.
Smaller maintenance measures can also make a difference. Bleeding radiators, checking for sludge, flushing the system and adding inhibitor can all help improve performance and reduce energy demand.
Look beyond the boiler
Improving heating efficiency is not limited to the heating system itself. Installers are also well placed to recommend simple measures that reduce heat loss, such as topping up loft insulation and addressing draughts.
Reducing heat loss means the heating system does not have to work as hard, which can lead directly to lower energy bills.
Stewart adds: “In the current climate, many homeowners are unable or unwilling to invest in major upgrades, but we know that servicing the heating system can maintain and improve efficiency.
“Heating engineers can provide real value by focusing on practical, affordable improvements that deliver immediate results. By optimising existing systems through better settings, controls and maintenance, installers can help customers take control of their heating costs and improve comfort.”
