The UK Government has today included Nesta’s Money Saving Boiler Challenge tool in new energy saving tips for households, published as part of its “Help for Households” advice on Gov.uk.

Nesta’s research shows that changing a single setting to make a combi boiler work more efficiently by adjusting the boiler flow settings from 80 to 60 degrees or below can save around £112 a year in energy bills for a typical household.

The Money Saving Boiler Challenge was launched earlier this month by the innovation charity, Nesta, in partnership with Which?, Energy UK, EDF, E.ON Next and Octopus Energy. More than 70,000 people have already used Nesta’s step-by-step online tool to turn down their boiler flow temperature. The tool is also featured on the Money Saving Expert website and has been cited by consumer champion Martin Lewis on his ITV show and on Twitter.

Katy King, Deputy Director of Sustainable Future at Nesta, said:

“Many people who are worried about paying their bills this winter will find it reassuring to get advice directly from the Government that could save them around £112.

“We are pleased that the Government is helping to get the message out that lowering combi boiler flow temperature is a simple step that people can take to lower their energy bills by using our tool. Anyone concerned about the cost of living can now go to the Help for Households pages on Gov.uk to find a range of tips on saving energy and getting support. If 10 million UK households with combi boilers reset their flow temperature to 60 degrees or below, this would cut people’s bills by a total of £1 billion a year.”

Many people don’t know they can save money by reducing their boiler’s flow temperature. Research commissioned by Nesta found that more than half of the general public are unaware that it’s possible to change the flow temperature on a boiler. In addition, according to ONS data, only 1 in 10 people had lowered their flow temperature in the last year, compared to 6 in 10 who had lowered their thermostat.

The online tool to reduce boiler flow temperature can be found at: https://moneysavingboilerchallenge.com/

Ends

Notes to editors

1. Nesta commissioned Walnut to survey a sample of 2,008 adults in Great Britain between 7 and 9 October 2022.
2. For more information on the analysis or to speak to one of the experts involved, please contact Kieran Lowe, Media Manager, on 020 7438 2576 or [email protected]. Spokespeople are available for broadcast interviews.

About Nesta

We are Nesta, the UK's innovation agency for social good. We design, test and scale solutions to society's biggest problems. Our three missions are to give every child a fair start, help people live healthy lives, and create a sustainable future where the economy works for both people and the planet.

For over 20 years, we have worked to support, encourage and inspire innovation. We work in three roles: as an innovation partner working with frontline organisations to design and test new solutions, as a venture builder supporting new and early stage businesses, and as a system shaper creating the conditions for innovation.

Harnessing the rigour of science and the creativity of design, we work relentlessly to change millions of lives for the better. Find out more at nesta.org.uk