As temperatures fall, we rely on our boilers even more than usual. So you’ll want to ensure your settings are spot-on for a warm and comfortable home without using excess energy and ramping up your bills. But what temperature should your boiler be set at in winter?
In this guide, we’ll explore the ideal temperature for different types of boilers in winter, including condensing boilers, conventional boilers, and combi boilers. Ready to jump in?
Keep reading to discover:
What temperature to set your boiler to in winter
Should I turn my boiler up in winter?
Can adjusting my boilers' temperature save energy?
How to adjust boiler temperature settings
When to contact a JustFix professional
What temperature to set your boiler to in winter
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Generally, a temperature between 60°C and 70°C is ideal for most homes and most boilers. However, this can change depending on your boiler type and home.
Not sure which type of boiler you have? Read our types of boilers explained guide first.
Conventional/system boilers:
If you have a conventional boiler with a hot water cylinder, there’ll be just one dial or setting to adjust. Similarly, most system boilers have just one dial. The temperature should be set to at least 60°C to keep the hot water supply to your taps safe. Any lower, and you risk contracting Legionnaires’ disease, a form of pneumonia caused by bacteria in water.
Conventional boilers often need slightly higher settings than modern condensing models. As a result, it may be necessary to aim for a temperature close to 70°C, especially in older homes.
Combi boilers:
Most combi boilers have two adjustable temperature settings: the central heating setting and the hot water setting. The central heating setting controls how warm your radiators get, which affects the temperature in your rooms, while the hot water setting ensures you have enough hot water for daily activities like washing and bathing.
What temperature should I set my central heating dial to?
A central heating temperature of around 60-70°C is ideal for most homes.
If you have a modern condensing boiler, aim for the lower end of this range (around 60°C), as condensing boilers are more efficient when operating at lower temperatures.
If you have a combi boiler, lowering the flow temperature can save you money and energy. The lower the heating flow temperature, the more efficient the heating system. At a temperature of around 55-60°C, you can save around 6% on your energy usage.
What temperature should I set my hot water dial to?
A hot water temperature of 60° is ideal. 60°C is hot enough to kill legionella bacteria but not so hot that it wastes energy, making it the perfect hot water temperature for your boiler.
Avoid setting the temperature too far above 60°C, as this increases energy use and can be a scalding risk without providing significant benefits.
Heat pumps and hybrid systems
Heat pumps or hybrid heating systems operate at much lower flow temperatures. Heat pumps should typically be set at around around 35-50°C. Meanwhile, the boiler settings should remain around the typical 60°C mark if you're using a hybrid system.
Should I turn my boiler up in winter?
When the weather turns colder, it’s tempting to turn your boiler up. However, this isn’t always necessary or efficient.
Higher boiler settings don’t always mean better comfort. Modern condensing boilers, for instance, work more efficiently at lower flow temperatures. Cranking the temperature too high can waste energy without significantly improving how warm your home feels. Instead, try the methods in our guide: How to save money on heating bills.
Nonetheless, if your home feels consistently cold or you notice your radiators aren’t heating up properly, you might need to increase your boiler’s temperature slightly. This may be necessary in an older, poorly insulated home or during bouts of extreme cold. We’d recommend a maximum of 70°C.
If your house always feels cold, or you’re getting hot water but no heating even after you’ve adjusted your boiler, you may need to contact a professional heating engineer. A Gas Safe registered engineer will be able to diagnose your problem and advise about boiler temperatures and more.
Can adjusting my boiler's temperature save energy?
Adjusting your boiler to the right temperature can often save energy and lower your bills.
Condensing boilers are designed to extract more heat from exhaust gases at lower flow temperatures, ideally around 60°C. Reducing your condensing boiler’s flow temperature from 70-60°C can help it achieve up to 90% efficiency, reducing wasted fuel.
Setting your hot water temperature to around 60°C can save energy, especially in homes where hot water is used frequently. You’ll still have plenty of hot water for showers and washing up, but you’ll avoid unnecessary heating costs.
These minor adjustments to your boiler settings can make a big difference over time. If your boiler temperature was set too high previously, you’ll likely see a noticeable reduction in your energy bills.
How to adjust boiler temperature settings
Adjusting your boiler temperature is a simple process you can carry out yourself; here’s how:
- Turn off the boiler: Before making any changes, switch off your boiler to avoid accidents
- Locate the controls: Most boilers have dials or buttons for adjusting central heating and hot water temperatures. These are usually labelled. Whilst system and conventional boilers may have a single dial, combi boilers will likely have two
- Set the temperature: Turn the dial to your desired temperature between our recommended range (60-70°C)
- Set the hot water temperature: If you have a combi boiler, adjust the water temperature to 60°C
- Turn the boiler back on: Once you’ve made your adjustments, switch your boiler back on and monitor its performance over the next few days
While these instructions should apply to most boilers, you should always check the manufacturer’s manual for guidance on your specific model.
Like reducing your boiler’s pressure, changing your boiler's temperature is a safe, DIY task. However, other, more complicated adjustments may require a professional touch.
When to contact a JustFix professional
Sometimes, your boiler may not perform as expected, even with the right temperature settings. Knowing when to call in a professional can save you time, money, and stress. It might be time to contact a heating engineer if:
- Your boiler isn’t heating your home or water properly, even after adjusting the settings
- Your boiler is making a noise, such as banging or gurgling
- The boiler keeps switching on and off (short-cycling)
- You notice leaks, error codes, or other signs of malfunction
If you’re experiencing boiler issues or want to make sure your boiler is at the right temperature and all set for winter, we can help! JustFix’s network of trusted professionals can handle everything from routine boiler servicing to emergency boiler repairs.
Download the app or use our website to tell us a little about your issue, and we’ll match you up with a local Gas Safe registered heating engineer. With fixed rates and a 12-month workmanship guarantee on all jobs, you can be sure you’re in safe hands!
FAQs about boiler temperature
Should I turn my boiler down in the summer?
You can lower the temperature of your boiler in summer, but it still shouldn't be set below 60°C. Any lower, there’s a risk of Legionella bacteria growth, which can lead to a type of pneumonia.
Is 50°C hot enough for hot water?
You can set your boiler temperature as low as 50°C to save energy and money on bills. However, temperatures below 60°C present a risk of carrying legionella bacteria, meaning there’s a risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease.
What is the ideal home temperature?
Somewhere between 18°C and 21°C is the perfect temperature to heat your home during winter.
