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Big Energy Saving Week (19–25 January) is a good reminder for plumbing and heating engineers that the biggest heating efficiency wins often come from the simple stuff. It isn’t always about fitting a brand new boiler, it’s the upgrades and checks that help a system run properly, heat up quicker, and stay reliable long after you’ve left site.

Whether you’re working on boilers, cylinders or renewables (including heat pumps), here are a few quick add-ons that can make a real difference without turning the job into a full redesign.

1) Upgrade the heating controls (small change, big impact)

Even a decent boiler can waste energy if the controls aren’t right.

Sometimes it’s as simple as swapping out a tired thermostat. Other times it’s improving zoning, or just making sure the customer actually understands what the buttons do (because we’ve all had that call).

A few easy upgrades:

Replacing older thermostats / heating controls
Improving zoning (where it makes sense)
Quick handover on schedules, set points and overrides

Trade tip: the best controls are the ones the customer will use properly. Two minutes explaining it can save you a lot of “it’s not working” messages later.

2) Fit a magnetic filter (and protect the system)

Mag filters aren’t glamorous, but they’re one of the best value add-ons you can fit.

They help cut down on sludge build-up, protect pumps and heat exchangers, and keep things running cleaner for longer. Less noise, fewer blockages, fewer issues.

Pair it with the right chemicals and you’re setting the system up properly from day one.

3) Don’t skip chemicals: clean it, protect it, commission it

Chemicals are one of those things customers don’t always “see”… until the system starts playing up.

A decent combination of:

Cleaner (where needed)
Flush (if required)
Inhibitor

…helps keep heat transfer where it should be and reduces problems caused by poor system water quality.

And let’s be honest, it’s also one of the easiest ways to cut down on return visits for cold spots, circulation issues or noisy systems.

4) TRVs + balancing: the basics that stop wasted heat

TRVs and balancing can be the difference between a system that “sort of works” and one that heats evenly. When the system is balanced properly:

Rooms warm up faster
Customers stop cranking stats to compensate
Heat goes where it’s meant to
Efficiency improves without changing anything major

If you’re already draining down, swapping rads, or doing a bit of pipework, it’s a great time to upgrade TRVs and tidy things up.

5) Check the hot water side (especially cylinders)

Hot water performance is one of the quickest ways a customer decides something “isn’t right”. On cylinder jobs, it’s worth double-checking:

Correct sizing and recovery expectations
Controls and cylinder stats set correctly
Pipework and insulation basics
Safe, compliant discharge arrangement (where applicable)

A few minutes here can prevent the classic “not hot enough” or “we’re running out” conversation later on.

6) Renewables: efficiency starts with system design

If you’re fitting or maintaining renewables (including heat pumps), the basics matter even more. The best results usually come down to the set-up:

Correct control strategy
Good circulation and flow rates
Clean system water quality
Low temperature heating design (where required)
Correct cylinder / buffer choices (job dependent)

In short: good performance comes from doing the fundamentals properly, not just the appliance choice.

Trade checklist: quick efficiency essentials to grab in one trip

If you want to cover the “efficiency basics” while you’re in branch, here’s a quick list:

Heating controls / thermostats
Magnetic Filter
Cleaner + inhibitor
TRVs and valves
Filling loop / small system bits
Pipe insulation (where needed)

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Need help choosing the right products for the job?

Our branch teams can help you pick the right heating controls, filters, chemicals and system essentials based on what you’re working on.

Pop into your local Williams branch, call the Trade Support Team or order online through your trade account.

Disclaimer: This content is for general trade guidance only and does not replace manufacturer instructions or professional judgement. Always check product specifications, installation manuals and the latest UK regulations/industry standards before installing or commissioning any system.

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Big Energy Saving Week | Heating Efficiency Tips for Installers