Why Buying A New Boiler Will Help Improve Your Home Energy Efficiency

Did you know that upgrading your old inefficient boiler could help protect the environment and save you a nice chunk of money on your energy bills over the long-term? Installing a modern condensing boiler can, in fact, save you hundreds of pounds a year and increase the energy efficiency of your home at the same time.

Check the Efficiency of Your Existing Boiler

Before you rush out and purchase a new boiler, check the efficiency of the model you currently own via the Product Characteristics Database (PCDB) or another online tool. Every boiler is given a rating from A to G, with A being 90% efficient or above and G being below 70% efficient.

Also, find out if you have a condensing or non-condensing boiler. All boilers that are manufactured today have to be condensing because they recover the heat in flue gases and re-use it, making them much more efficient than non-condensing models. It’s also worth noting that the majority of modern condensing boilers have an A rating for energy efficiency.

You might also need to make some adjustments to your boilers to get them to operate more efficiently. You could try using a boiler cover to ensure there is less heat loss, which reduces unnecessary energy consumption.

An Old Boiler Will Need to Work Harder

Typically, a boiler should last between 10 and 15 years before it needs to be replaced. The older a boiler gets, the harder it needs to work to produce enough heating and hot water for your home. If your boiler is around 10 years old and is still capable of heating your home and water, you could find that it is actually wasting energy and causing you to spend more money than you need to on your bills.

New Condensing Boilers are the Most Energy Efficient

That’s right. Modern condensing boilers are the most energy efficient systems your money can buy, so it makes sense to upgrade if you’re looking to improve your home’s energy efficiency. You will, however, need to determine the right type of boiler for your home in order to successfully reduce carbon emissions. Let’s take a look at your options.

1. Combi(nation) Boilers

Most experts will tell you that combi boilers are the most energy efficient models on the market because they heat water on demand. Another bonus is that they don’t require separate cold-water tanks or a hot water storage cylinder, making them a fantastic option if you live in a space-restricted flat or house.

2. System Boilers

Unlike combi boilers, system boilers do need a cylinder for storing hot water but they don’t need a cold-water tank in the loft. These boilers are generally more suited to homes that need a higher supply of hot water. One of the biggest advantages of system boilers is that they are compatible with solar thermal systems that heat domestic hot water using heat from the sun.

3. Heat Only Boilers

Some heating professionals call heat only boilers conventional or regular boilers. Heat only boilers take up the most space as they must be installed alongside tanks and a cylinder. Like system boilers, they can be combined with solar water heating systems to help reduce your carbon footprint.

You’ll need to seek advice from a qualified heating engineer to find out which type of boiler is best for your household and needs. Modern day boiler prices and installation costs vary according to several factors including size, type and your chosen installer, so it’s always advisable to get a range of quotes before parting with your hard-earned cash. Just be sure to choose an A rated model to help increase your home’s energy efficiency.

Modern Boilers are Compatible with Energy Saving Controls

Boiler manufacturers are constantly tweaking and updating the technology they use to ensure their products keep on getting better and smarter. In addition to being quieter and more compact than ever before, many condensing boilers are designed for use with all sorts of energy saving controls including timers, programmers and weather compensation systems. Some modern boiler models are even compatible with smart thermostats that allow you to control your heating and check your energy use from a phone or tablet to help minimize energy consumption.

Final Thoughts

If your boiler is getting old or keeps breaking down, it’s probably a good time to find a suitable replacement for your humble abode. Thankfully, all modern boilers are condensing and achieve high levels of efficiency, so switching from old to new will reduce your home’s energy waste. You may also be interested to know that installing a new boiler is the most profitable home improvement, which is great news if you’re thinking of adding value to your home as well.