There comes a point every year when the heating starts to feel off no matter what you do with it.

That’s the thing about early spring: the house is cold in the morning, boiling by lunchtime, then an ice block again once the light drops. So you leave the central heating on just in case, fiddle with the thermostat every few hours, and end up using way more energy than you need to.

But there’s plenty of tweaks you can make to keep the home comfortable without your boiler working overtime. Here’s some top tips on saving money, reducing your energy use, and making the house feel more balanced.

What to do with your heating controls

In spring, most homes don’t need long stretches of heating through the day. A shorter burst in the morning and another in the evening is often enough, especially on brighter days when the house warms up naturally.

Trimming those hours back can make a noticeable difference to home energy use without making the place feel cold. If saving money on your energy bills is a priority, try lowering your thermostat by just 1°C. It’s a barely noticeable difference, but one that saves 10% on average.

If you’re not sure if you have heating controls, or how to use them, the Energy Saving Trust has an excellent guide. But if the controls are unresponsive, bring it up at your next boiler service.

How to change boiler flow temperature for spring

If you have a combi boiler, have a look at the “flow temperature”. This controls how hot the water is when it leaves the boiler and goes around your radiators. Many boilers are set higher than they need to be, especially after winter, so turning it down will help with energy saving.

Your boiler deserves a spring clean too

After a busy winter, spring is a good time to see how your heating systems are holding up. So, if your radiators have cold spots, bleed them. If your boiler pressure is low, top it up if it is safe to do so.

You may also want to check your hot water settings. Plenty of households need less heating in spring but still heat water on the same winter schedule. Adjust your timer settings as needed to save a bit more money.

When should I call in a boiler engineer?

If your hot water has been unreliable, or your boiler has been making odd noises, don’t ignore it just because we’re heading into the warmer months. These problems never go away on their own, and the last thing you want is your boiler to go kaput when you actually need it.

If your boiler keeps losing pressure or showing fault codes, that’s when it’s best to bring in an expert. Adjusting your settings is one thing, but fiddling with gas, internal boiler components, and repeated faults is another issue entirely.

DHS have been helping heat homes around Bristol and the South West for over 40 years, and in that time, we’ve tackled it all. If you’re looking for a trusted and efficient boiler engineer at a competitive cost, give us a call at 0117 924 7200, or request a callback here for a no-obligation quote.

Make the most of warm days

Spring is unpredictable, but it does give you a few advantages.

Open curtains and blinds in the morning and make the most of natural lighting, especially in rooms that get a good amount of sun. It won’t quite heat the house for free, but it stops your radiators doing all the work.

At the same time, keep an eye on where warmth is escaping. A draughty back door, gaps around windows, or furniture blocking a radiator can all make heating your less efficient, and small changes like these add up.

Don’t heat empty rooms

Now that you can be a little more selective with your heating, if there are rooms you barely use during the day, like a dining room or kid’s bedroom whilst they’re at school, those won’t need the same level of heating as the spaces you frequent. Turning radiator valves down slightly can help your system work more efficiently, while still keeping the house comfortable where it matters most.

Heating that works for the season

Getting your heating right in spring is all about paying attention to what keeps the house comfortable day to day without wasting energy, and as you’ve learnt, a few changes can make a surprising difference in giving you more comfort for less cost.

And if your boiler is showing its’ age or having some hiccups. it is always better to get ahead of the problem before it turns into a breakdown. Whether you need a quick repair, a boiler service, or the installation of a new boiler entirely, our friendly local team is a phone call away.