If you live in a climate with cold winters, your central heating boiler is by far the most energy-hungry appliance in the house. A boiler in the average UK home burns over £500 worth a gas each year, and is responsible for emitting almost 4 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. As high energy prices hit householders in the pocket, and more and more people are becoming concerned about Climate Change (caused by the burning of fossil fuels like gas), many people are finding that it makes sense to install a new boiler.
Older boilers waste heat and money every time they fire up. This is because a lot of the heat that is generated from burning the gas is lost up the chimney or flue. Modern boilers are much more efficient because they recover and recycle a lot of this heat, and so need to use less gas. This can save you up to 40% or £200 a year off the average UK gas bill.
The most efficient type of boiler is a Condensing Boiler, which now achieves almost 90% efficiency on the fuel it burns, far higher than older boilers. They normally cost a bit more than other types of boiler up front, but save a lot of money in the long run because you spend less on fuel. The most common alternative is called a Combination Boiler, which activates on demand, which means less wasted energy and no need for water tanks or cylinders. Although not as energy efficient (at 75% efficiency) or cost efficient as the condensing boiler, combination boilers do require less of an upfront investment. Most organizations recommend that people choose a condensing boiler, and indeed building regulations in some countries now make this obligatory.
How do you know if you would benefit from a new boiler? If your boiler is old, especially if it is 10 years or older, a new boiler could well make great sense. But you don’t need to try to work this out yourself. Many large, reputable heating companies offer free, no obligation boiler and heating surveys, and they can tell you how much you will save and exactly how much the installation of a new boiler will cost. You can easily sign up for a survey on-line, through a web-site such as Downwithco2.co.uk.
Before you finally choose your new boiler you should think about a few things:
- How big a boiler do you need? How much hot water can satisfy the needs of your household?
- Even though condensing boilers are the most expensive, they are more efficient than other boiler types and in the long term, could save you the most money.
- What will the boiler be used for? Will it be used for space heating, or just hot water?
- What type of fuel do you have available? Wood, Natural Gas, Fuel oil?
- After the boiler has been installed, who will take care of it? Many companies offer maintenance contracts, and often these are a good idea.
When thinking about a new boiler, you should always make sure you are dealing with a reputable and qualified firm. Installers should be registered with an official organisation. This is especially true with gas boilers; in the UK you should always make sure your gas boiler installer is ‘CORGI’ registered.
In some countries like the UK, a new boiler can make even more financial sense because the government subsidises their installation, in order to promote energy efficiency. Your installer should be able to tell you about these subsidies, which apply to almost everyone in the UK, especially older people who qualify for even more money off a new boiler.
Finally, if you want to save energy and money off your heating bills, you should also think about having your home properly insulated if you haven’t already. This is now very good value, and pays back the up-front investment in under 2 years. Further information can be found at downwithco2.co.uk
