What Temperature Should A Boiler Be Set At?

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Looking to know what temperature a boiler should be set at? I’ve got all the information you need to warm your home effectively, without wasting energy.

Looking for easy ways to save energy? One way is to look at the temperature your boiler is set at.

You see, the average boiler hot water thermostat in the UK is set to 65ºC. This is very inefficient and could be using more energy and costing you more money than your bills should be.

At 65ºC, you have to cool the water that you’ve spent money heating with cold water to be able to use it in the bath or shower. It’s also quite an inefficient temperature, as heat loss from your boiler/hot water cylinder is also increased.

What Temperature Should A Boiler Be Set At?

Person sitting in front of a radiator with a blue text box that reads what temperature should a boiler be set at

I’d recommend checking your boiler, or even just having a think about how hot your hot water taps are. Do you find you have to add cold water when you’re washing your hands to bring it to a comfortable level? Then your boiler temperature is probably set too high.

It’s recommended that you set your boiler temperature for water at 60ºC.

At 60ºC water is still sufficiently hot for almost all domestic uses. So go and turn the water temperature on your boiler down to 60ºC (but not before you’ve read the safety advice below).

It’ll take less than a minute to do and you’ll have a nice warm glow. Your boiler won’t have to work as hard, prolonging its life. You’ll also save both the environment and money. It’s estimated that you’ll save around £30 a year if you turn your boiler temperature down from 65ºC to 60ºC. This is a healthy amount to save for very little work.

An Important Word of Warning

Don’t set your boiler temperature too low. This is because at low temperatures the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires’ Disease – a potentially fatal lung infection spread through the inhalation of waterborne particles – can thrive and multiply.

According to the Health & Safety Executive, the legionella bacteria (which cause the disease) require a temperature of between 20-45ºC to grow. The bacteria do not survive at temperatures above 60°C. Therefore, by setting your boiler temperature to 60ºC you’re well out of danger.

What About The Radiator Temperature On The Boiler?

For combi boilers, it’s recommended that you set the radiator output temperature on your boiler to between 70°C and 75°C in winter. This is the optimum temperature for your boiler to heat your home quickly and efficiently. Set it higher than this, and the boiler won’t enter condensing mode, which isn’t very efficient or cost-effective.

In autumn and spring, you can reduce this temperature further – to between 50°C and 55°C. To heat your rooms effectively without overheating.

What About The Room Temperature?

The optimum room temperature is around 18 to 21°C. This temperature range is the most comfortable and healthy for day-to-day living. Here are some tips on how to set the timer on your boiler if you need some advice.

So there you go: turning down the temperature on your boiler a few degrees will save you a pretty penny, and the environment. And you’ll also reduce the risk of scalding from your bathroom or kitchen taps. This makes this tip a triple win!

I’ve got more easy energy-saving tips right here in my archive if you are looking for more energy-saving inspiration.

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