Summer might seem like the last time you’d think about your heating system — but for homeowners across Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, and Lichfield, the warmer months are actually the perfect opportunity to make smart changes that will slash your energy bills all year round. With the July 2026 energy price cap set at £1,862 per year, every saving counts.
At Vulcan Heat (Gas Safe registration number 617816), we help homeowners across the West Midlands and Staffordshire get more from their heating systems while spending less. Here are our top energy-saving tips for summer 2026.
1. Book Your Annual Boiler Service Now — While You Can
Summer is the single best time to book your annual boiler service. Heating engineers are far more available between June and September than during the winter rush, which means shorter waiting times and often better availability for appointments.
A professional boiler service carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer can improve your boiler’s efficiency by up to 15%. Over the course of a year, that translates to real savings on your gas bill — and it means your boiler is ready to perform reliably when the cold weather returns.
Our Gas Safe engineers at Vulcan Heat serve homeowners throughout Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, and Lichfield. Don’t wait until October when everyone else is scrambling — book your boiler service today.
2. Lower Your Boiler’s Flow Temperature
This is one of the most impactful — and most overlooked — energy-saving tips for UK homeowners. Most combi boilers are factory-set with a flow temperature that’s higher than necessary. By reducing it to between 55°C and 60°C, you allow your boiler to operate in “condensing mode,” which is significantly more efficient.
This simple adjustment can save you £100–£150 per year without any noticeable difference in comfort. Check your boiler’s manual or ask one of our engineers to help you set the right temperature during your next service visit.
3. Switch Your Boiler to Summer Mode
Many modern combi boilers have a dedicated Summer Mode (sometimes called “Hot Water Only” mode). This setting disables the central heating circuit while keeping your hot water running on demand — ideal for the warmer months when you don’t need the radiators on.
Using Summer Mode can save up to £20 per month during the summer period. It also keeps the system active enough to prevent components like the pump and diverter valve from seizing up — a common and costly problem that occurs when boilers are left completely idle for months.
If you’re unsure whether your boiler has this feature or how to activate it, our team is happy to help. Get in touch with Vulcan Heat for friendly, expert advice.
4. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
If you’re still using a basic timer or manual thermostat, you could be wasting a significant amount of energy every day. Smart thermostats — such as Hive, Tado, or Nest — learn your routine and adjust your heating automatically, ensuring you’re only using energy when and where you need it.
Homeowners who upgrade to smart controls typically save £150–£300 per year. Many models also allow you to control your heating remotely via a smartphone app, so you’re never heating an empty home.
Pair a smart thermostat with smart thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) for even greater control. TRVs allow you to set different temperatures in different rooms, reducing energy consumption by around 18% compared to a single-zone system.
5. Turn Down the Thermostat by Just 1°C
It sounds almost too simple, but reducing your room thermostat by just 1°C can cut your heating bills by up to 10% — saving roughly £80–£150 per year. The recommended temperature settings for a comfortable, efficient home are:
- Living areas: 18–21°C
- Bedrooms: 16°C
- When the home is unoccupied: 14–16°C
For homeowners in Tamworth and Lichfield with older, larger properties, this small adjustment can make a particularly noticeable difference to annual bills.
6. Draught-Proof Your Home
Draught-proofing is one of the most cost-effective home improvements you can make. Sealing gaps around windows, doors, letterboxes, and floorboards can prevent up to 25% of heat loss and save you £80–£200 per year.
This is a great summer project — the work is quick, inexpensive, and you’ll feel the benefit as soon as the temperature drops in autumn. Focus on:
- External doors: Use draught excluders or brush strips
- Windows: Apply self-adhesive foam strips to frames
- Letterboxes and keyholes: Fit a cover or flap
- Floorboards: Use flexible filler or sealant for gaps
7. Check Your Loft and Hot Water Cylinder Insulation
If your loft insulation is below the recommended 270mm depth, topping it up is one of the highest-return investments you can make in your home’s energy efficiency. Similarly, if you have a hot water cylinder, fitting an 80mm insulating jacket can significantly reduce heat loss and lower your water heating costs.
Homeowners in Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, and Lichfield may also be eligible for support through the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) or the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) — both of which can help fund energy efficiency improvements. Ask your local council or visit the government’s energy advice pages for more information.
8. Adopt Energy-Smart Daily Habits
Small daily changes add up to big savings over the course of a year:
- Wash clothes at 30°C instead of higher temperatures — this can reduce laundry energy use by up to 40%
- Line dry your clothes during the summer months instead of using a tumble dryer
- Switch off appliances at the wall rather than leaving them on standby — standby power accounts for 5–10% of household electricity use
- Boil only what you need in the kettle
- Keep showers to four minutes to reduce hot water consumption
9. Bleed Your Radiators
If your radiators have cold spots at the top, they likely contain trapped air — which forces your boiler to work harder and use more energy. Bleeding your radiators is a simple DIY task that takes just a few minutes per radiator and can noticeably improve your system’s efficiency.
If you’re not confident doing this yourself, or if you notice persistent cold spots after bleeding, it may indicate a more significant issue such as sludge build-up. Our engineers can carry out a power flush to clean the system and restore full efficiency. Contact Vulcan Heat to find out more.
Don’t Wait Until Winter — Act Now
The best time to improve your home’s energy efficiency is before you need your heating again. By taking action this summer, homeowners across Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, and Lichfield can head into autumn with a more efficient boiler, lower bills, and complete peace of mind.
Vulcan Heat is your local Gas Safe registered heating specialist (registration number 617816), proudly serving the West Midlands and Staffordshire. Whether you need an annual boiler service, smart thermostat installation, or expert energy-saving advice, our friendly team is here to help.
📞 Book your boiler service online or contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote. If you ever have a heating emergency, our boiler breakdown service is available when you need us most.
Vulcan Heat — keeping homes warm and bills low across Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, and Lichfield.
