As we head into winter 2025, energy bills remain a significant concern for households across the UK. However, many homeowners are unknowingly wasting hundreds of pounds simply because their heating controls are outdated or poorly configured.
The good news? Optimizing your heating controls is one of the most effective ways to lower your bills without sacrificing comfort. Even better, through government schemes like ECO4, you could be eligible to have state-of-the-art smart heating controls installed completely free of charge.
In this guide, I'll walk you through everything you need to know about setting up your heating for maximum efficiency, understanding the latest technology, and checking your eligibility for government grants.
Why Heating Controls Matter
Heating controls allow you to program your heating to come on when you need it and turn off when you don't. They also ensure your boiler only works as hard as it needs to. Without them, you are essentially driving a car with the accelerator pressed to the floor while using the handbrake to control the speed.
- Reduce carbon footprint
- Increase home value (better EPC)
- Enhance comfort with consistent temperatures
Optimal Thermostat Settings
One of the most common questions I get asked is: "What temperature should my house be?" The official guidance for the UK is to set your main thermostat between 18°C and 21°C.
Many people set it higher out of habit, but for every degree you lower your thermostat, you can cut your bill by around 10%. If you are active and healthy, 18°C is often perfectly comfortable, especially if you dress appropriately for the season.
Expert Tip:
Don't turn your thermostat up to "max" to heat the house quicker. It won't work faster; the boiler works at a constant rate. It just means the heating will stay on longer and overshoot your desired temperature, wasting money.
Mastering TRVs (Thermostatic Radiator Valves)
TRVs are the controls on the side of your radiators. They don't control the boiler; they control the flow of hot water into that specific radiator. This allows you to "zone" your home.
Set to 20-21°C (Number 3 or 4 on TRV) for comfort while relaxing.
Set to 16-18°C (Number 2 or 3) for a cooler, better sleeping environment.
Set to frost protection (*) or Number 1 to prevent damp but save energy.
Keep warm (Number 4) to prevent condensation and mould growth.
Smart Thermostats: The Game Changer
Smart thermostats (like Nest, Hive, or Tado) allow you to control your heating from your phone. But they do more than just that. They learn your schedule, detect when you've left the house (geofencing) and turn the heating off automatically, and provide detailed reports on your energy usage.
Under ECO4, if your property qualifies, we often install these advanced controls as standard. This brings 21st-century efficiency to your home without the ÂŖ200+ upfront cost.
Boiler Flow Temperature
This is a "secret" setting many people miss. If you have a combi boiler, there is a dial for the temperature of the water that goes to the radiators (flow temperature).
Often, this is set to 75°C or 80°C. However, modern condensing boilers are most efficient when this is set to 60°C or lower. At this temperature, the boiler can recover heat from exhaust gases (condensing mode), running much more efficiently. Try turning it down; your house might take a little longer to warm up, but you will save significantly.
Success Stories
Margaret Thompson
Leeds âĸ Pension Credit recipient
"Hamza helped me through the ECO4 process and the team installed my new boiler completely free. Now I'm paying just ÂŖ55 a month instead of ÂŖ140."
Robert Jenkins
Manchester âĸ LA Flex approval
"I only get basic State Pension, but through LA Flex, they approved me. The installation was professional and my heating bills have halved."
Sarah Williams
Birmingham âĸ Universal Credit recipient
"As a single mother, this scheme has been life-changing. Free boiler, professional installation, and my energy bills are now manageable."