5 Simple Upgrades to Make Your Existing Heating System More Efficient

Not everyone is ready to switch to a heat pump straight away. And that’s okay. There are still plenty of ways to make your existing heating system run better, cost less to use and last longer.

The good news? These changes don’t need a complete system replacement. With a few smart tweaks and small investments, you can improve efficiency and save money on your bills today - while preparing your home for renewable upgrades in the future.

Here are five simple upgrades we often recommend to homeowners across Kent and Sussex.

1. Install Smart Heating Controls

A smart thermostat or control system can make a world of difference. Instead of running your heating constantly or sticking to a rigid timer, smart controls let you set heating schedules that actually match your lifestyle. Some even learn your routine and adjust automatically.

By only heating the rooms you use, when you use them, you’ll cut down on wasted energy. Smart controls also let you tweak settings from your phone, so no more heating an empty house.

2. Re-Balance Your Radiators

If you’ve noticed that some rooms heat up quickly while others always feel chilly, your system may be unbalanced. This happens when hot water isn’t distributed evenly through your radiators.

Re-balancing means adjusting the valves so every radiator gets the right flow. The result? A warmer home, less strain on your boiler and a system that runs more efficiently overall.

3. Lower Your Boiler Flow Temperature

Many boilers are set to run hotter than they need to. By lowering the flow temperature (the temperature of the water leaving your boiler to heat your radiators) to around 60°C, you can improve efficiency without noticing much difference in comfort.

This small adjustment helps your boiler operate in condensing mode more often, which means it recovers more heat from the flue gases instead of wasting it. That translates into real savings on your gas bills.

4. Upgrade Your Heating Controls and Valves

If your radiators don’t have thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs), it’s worth adding them. TRVs allow you to control the temperature of each room individually, so you’re not overheating bedrooms or little-used spaces.

Pairing TRVs with modern controls gives you much better control over your heating, keeping rooms at just the right temperature and avoiding wasted energy.

5. Get Your System Serviced and Set Up Properly

One of the simplest and most overlooked upgrades is just giving your heating system some attention. A professional service can make sure your boiler is running safely and efficiently, bleed out trapped air in radiators, clean filters and check pressure settings.

Sometimes, it’s as simple as tweaking the system settings so it’s not working harder than it needs to. Regular servicing not only saves energy but also extends the life of your equipment.

Bonus Tip: See What a Renewable Upgrade Could Save You

While these upgrades will help you get the most out of your current system, it’s worth keeping an eye on the long-term savings from switching to renewable heating.

You can use our Heat Pump Calculator to quickly see what it might cost and how much you could save with an air source heat pump.

You don’t need to rip everything out to start saving energy. By making small changes - smart controls, radiator balancing, better settings and regular servicing - you can enjoy a warmer home, lower bills and a system that runs more smoothly this Autumn and Winter.

And when you’re ready to take the next step, Wells Renewables is here to help with expert advice on renewable heating systems across Kent and Sussex.