Improving your heating system's performance won’t just make your home more comfortable; it can also reduce fuel use, cut waste, and save you money.
In this blog, we share practical tips to improve boiler efficiency and help you reduce heating bills in 2026 while keeping your property comfortable year-round.
If you’d like professional help optimising your heating system, please get in touch on 020 8682 2244 or email info@maintracts.co.uk
[quote_block quote= “Our experts at Maintracts Services Ltd. have seen how small changes to boiler settings and thermostat control can make a noticeable difference to energy bills. These boiler efficiency tips help homeowners reduce waste, improve heat distribution, and keep heating costs more manageable.”]
What Affects Your Heating Bills?
Before jumping into tips, it helps to understand why heating costs can be high in the first place:
- Old or poorly serviced boilers run inefficiently.
- Incorrect thermostat settings waste fuel.
- Heat loss from poorly controlled systems increases demand.
- Cold radiators or unbalanced heating systems increase boiler runtime.
Recognising these common issues is the first step to cutting energy use and reducing bills.
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Schedule Regular Boiler ServicingForPeak Performance
One of the most effective ways to improve boiler efficiency is to ensure your boiler receives a professional annual service. A Gas Safe registered boiler engineer can check combustion efficiency, clean key components, and ensure the system is safe and performing well. Regular servicing helps keep your boiler operating efficiently, which often reduces fuel consumption and prevents unexpected breakdowns during winter.
Not only does regular servicing improve performance, but it also maintains the manufacturer's warranty and extends your boiler’s life.
Book a boiler service in London with our expert team to keep your system running safely and efficiently.
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Install And UseAProgrammable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat gives you greater control over when your heating runs. Rather than leaving the heating on all day, you can create schedules that match your lifestyle, heating your home only when needed. This reduces wasted energy and helps avoid high bills.
Smart thermostats can also learn your routines and make automatic adjustments to improve efficiency without manual intervention.
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Set Your ThermostatAtAn Efficient Temperature
Small changes to thermostat settings can produce noticeable savings. Reducing your thermostat by just 1°C can lower your fuel use without sacrificing comfort. Many condensing boilers perform more efficiently when flow temperatures are set correctly, especially when combined with good thermostat control.
If you’re unsure about the best setting for your system, our heating engineers in London can help you adjust thermostats to maximise efficiency and comfort.
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Bleed RadiatorsForEven Heat Distribution
Cold spots in radiators often occur when trapped air prevents hot water from circulating effectively. Bleeding your radiators regularly helps ensure they heat evenly and reduces pressure on the boiler, allowing it to run longer.
If you’re unsure how to bleed a radiator, our team can do it as part of a central heating service to improve warmth and energy performance.
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Use Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs)
Thermostatic radiator valves enable you to control the heat output of individual radiators. If certain rooms don’t need to be as warm, TRVs let you reduce the temperature in those spaces without affecting the rest of the home. This targeted heating approach can reduce unnecessary fuel use and lower bills.
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Improve Heating System BalanceAndCirculation
A well-balanced heating system makes sure heat is distributed evenly throughout your home. Poor balance causes some rooms to heat faster than others, resulting in excessive boiler cycling. Balancing involves adjusting radiator valves and circulation settings to ensure each room receives the appropriate amount of heat.
Our central heating experts in London can balance your system during a service visit to improve comfort and energy efficiency.
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ConsiderPowerflushingTo Clear Sludge And Debris
Sludge and rust in radiator pipework slow down heating and force boilers to work harder. A powerflush will clear these deposits, improving circulation and enabling your boiler to heat your home more efficiently.
Powerflushing is especially helpful if you notice cold spots at the bottom of radiators, noisy pipes, or inconsistent heating.
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Insulate Exposed PipesAndCylinder Jackets
Heat escaping from uninsulated hot water pipes and cylinders increases boiler runtime and boosts energy use. Adding pipe insulation and a cylinder jacket helps retain heat as hot water travels through your home, reducing demand on your boiler.
This simple measure can be a cost-effective part of a broader energy-saving strategy.
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Upgrade ToAMore Efficient Boiler Model
If your boiler is over 10–15 years old, its efficiency may be significantly lower than modern models. New condensing boilers are designed to extract more heat from the same fuel, so you use less gas to produce the same heat output.
Talk to us about boiler installation options in London, and we’ll recommend the right model for your home and budget.
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Use Timer ControlsAndZoning
Using timer controls lets you heat your home only when necessary, avoiding wasted energy. Zoning, which separates your home into areas with independent heating control, lets you heat occupied rooms while reducing heat in unused spaces.
Zoning and timers together maximise efficiency and can make a noticeable difference to annual heating bills.
Start Saving On Boiler Costs In 2026
Heating bills don’t have to be a constant worry. By applying these boiler efficiency tips and working with professional engineers, you can create a more efficient, reliable and cost-effective heating system in 2026.
If you’d like tailored advice or help implementing these strategies, contact Maintracts Services Ltd. on 020 8682 2244 or email info@maintracts.co.uk We’re here to make your heating system safer, more efficient, and better suited to your home’s needs.
FAQs
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How often should my boiler be serviced tomaintainefficiency?
Annual servicing by a Gas Safe engineer is recommended to keep your boiler running efficiently and safely, and to ensure compliance with manufacturer guidelines.
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Will installing a smart thermostat reduce my heating bills?
Yes. Smart thermostats automatically manage heating schedules, reducing fuel use and waste when heating isn’t needed.
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Can bleeding radiators reallyimpactmy energy costs?
Yes. Cold spots indicate your boiler is working harder. Bleeding radiators ensures even heat distribution, often lowering running time and costs.
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Do new boilers save money compared to old ones?
Modern boilers are more efficient than older models, often saving substantial fuel costs over their lifetime.
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Ispowerflushingworth the cost?
If your system shows sludge build-up or inconsistent heat, powerflushing improves circulation and efficiency, potentially reducing fuel bills.