Private landlord membership organisation the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is urging its members to help tenants save millions of pounds on their energy bills.

With more than 5 million households in the UK’s private rented sector, the NRLA is adding its name to the Money Saving Boiler Challenge, a national campaign from innovation charity Nesta.

The Money Saving Boiler Challenge was launched last year by Nesta, is supported by energy companies and consumer champions, and has been featured by Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis. It features an online tool that walks users through turning down their combi boiler flow temperature with simple step-by-step guidance.

Reducing flow temperature from 80 to 60 degrees can save households around £112 a year by enabling condensing boilers to run more efficiently. Nesta’s research showed more than half (53%) of those who rent weren't aware it was possible to change the flow temperature on a boiler, compared to 41% of homeowners. This adds up to more than 2.5 million private rented households missing out on this free energy-saving tip with combined potential annual household savings of around £100m for those homes with combi gas boilers.

After Nesta launched a campaign to raise awareness of the tool, polling showed that of those renters that had seen messages about the money saving tip, 14% took no action as they weren't sure their landlord would want them to change the boiler settings.

Nesta’s Money Saving Boiler Challenge campaign is run in partnership with Which?, Energy UK, EDF, E.ON Next, Octopus Energy, OVO Energy and Heating Hub. This month the NRLA has officially partnered up to get landlords on board.

Madeleine Gabriel, Director of Sustainable Future at Nesta, said:

“Turning the boiler flow down on a combi boiler is a simple, free action that takes just a few minutes. Over 200,000 people have used the tool already and by following the online tool households can make sure they are doing it correctly and safely, with no need to remove the front of the boiler or have access to a bag of tools.

“We are really pleased to have NRLA on board as a partner to help reach landlords to support tenants to save money and energy.”

NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle said:

“Turning down the boiler flow setting to 60 degrees can save renters money without affecting the temperature in a house. This is one of several things that tenants looking to reduce the amount they spend on energy, and their carbon footprint, can try. The NRLA encourages landlords to work with their tenants to help reduce their energy bills.”

The online tool to reduce boiler flow temperature can be found at: www.moneysavingboilerchallenge.com

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1.Nesta commissioned Cambridge Architectural Research to estimate the proportion of homes that could save energy by turning down combi boiler flow temperatures.

57% of UK homes have gas combi boilers, and it’s estimated that 72% of UK homes are able to meet their heat demand on an average winter day with
a flow temperature of 60°C. Some homes may have already made this change, or be using advanced boiler controls that adjust flow temperatures
automatically.

Taking all this into account, CAR estimate that 38% of all UK homes - around 10.7m homes - could benefit from turning flow temperatures down to
60°C - saving a total of £1bn on bills per year.

2. Private rented sector across the UK totals 5.4 million based on latest data from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

3. For more information on the analysis or to speak to one of the experts involved, please contact Elin Price, Communications Manager, on 07779 000329 or [email protected]. Spokespeople are available for broadcast interviews.

About Nesta

We are Nesta, the UK's innovation agency for social good. We design, test and scale solutions to society's biggest problems. Our three missions are to give every child a fair start, help people live healthy lives, and create a sustainable future where the economy works for both people and the planet.

For over 20 years, we have worked to support, encourage and inspire innovation. We work in three roles: as an innovation partner working with frontline organisations to design and test new solutions, as a venture builder supporting new and early stage businesses, and as a system shaper creating the conditions for innovation.

Harnessing the rigour of science and the creativity of design, we work relentlessly to change millions of lives for the better. Find out more at nesta.org.uk