Is your boiler efficient?
Boilers account for approximately 55% of what we spend on our energy bills, so it is essential the boiler you have is efficient.
Modern day boilers are more efficient for several reasons, but the main advantage is that they are all condensing and this makes a huge difference on economy. All well maintained and serviced boilers burn their fuel very effectively, but they inevitably lose some heat in the hot gases which escape up the flue. A condensing boiler has a larger heat exchanger so it recovers more heat sending cooler gases out through the flue.
Sometimes the flue gases get so cold that the water vapour in the gas condenses out (hence the name) and even more energy is recovered from the condensing vapour.
Boiler type
Most old gas and oil burning boilers are regular types which use a separate hot water cylinder to store hot water, rather than providing it directly from the working boiler. When your old boiler is replaced with a new generation boiler you have choices. You can maintain your hot water cylinder or have a combi that has no need for the cylinder.
A regular boiler is more efficient than a combi at producing hot water in the first place, but then some heat is lost from the hot water cylinder. So if you look at both methods they will save you a great deal of money over the years to come, but the consensus is that a combi may well save you more.
If your boiler is old and you are on certain benefits you may qualify for a new boiler free of charge, so take a little time to see what you may be entitled to.
Need some help?
It is easy to find out if you qualify for a grant or even free installation select your requirement and just click the “see if I qualify” or “apply now”. This action could save you a great deal of money over the long term.