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The 'secret' boiler mode British Gas, Octopus, Eon, EDF and OVO customers have that can save £120Experts say households can save up to £120 a year by using a 'hidden' boiler mode during the
summer months - but it's important to remember to switch it backNewsRichard Guttridge Agenda Editor05:35, 01 Jun 2025A £20 a month saving from May into June, July, August could save
customers £80. Households are being advised about a 'hidden' boiler mode that experts recommend utilising during the summer months.
Most boilers come equipped with 'hot water only' settings or a 'summer mode' that users can activate during the warmer periods when heating is not required.
This prevents the boiler from unnecessarily activating, which could lead to wasted money. Experts suggest this could reduce bills by as much as £120.
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It's important for households to remember to revert the setting once the weather begins to cool down.
Fiona Peake, a money-saving expert at Ocean Finance, stated: "If your heating's off, switch your boiler to 'hot water only' or 'summer mode'.
Article continues below "It stops the boiler from firing unnecessarily and could save you up to £120 a year on wasted gas.
"If your boiler doesn't have that setting, lowering the flow temperature on the heating side is the next best thing.
"It's also a good time to get your boiler serviced or consider an upgrade if it's over 15 years old.
"Replacing it with a modern A-rated one could save you up to £540 a year, so it's worth considering if you've got savings or a finance option."
Another method households can use to save money is by utilising the cool cycle on tumble dryers.
Fiona added: "Tumble dryers are energy guzzlers, costing around £1 per hour to run.
"But many people don't know they have a 'cool' or 'air dry' cycle.
"It's perfect for clothes that just need freshening up - no heat, just air, and could easily save you £40–£60 a year."
She concluded: "With prices falling in summer, now is the ideal time to change your habits.
"Energy use tends to be lower at this time of year, so you've got a bit more breathing room to spot where things might be wasting energy and make some easy changes while the pressure's
off.
"If you're on a standard variable tariff, it's also worth checking what fixed deals are out there right now.
"Some are already offering better value and could save you up to £200 a year.
Article continues below "If switching is not an option, focus on the small changes you can make can lock in savings well before the colder months creep back in."
A £20 a month saving from May into June, July, August could save customers £80.