In this modern world of rising energy costs, it’s becoming imperative that you squeeze the most out of your heating system. With approximately 60% of yearly energy costs being spent on heating alone, more and more people are looking to save on energy bills, and boiler efficiency is a top priority for those looking to cut down on their overheads. Many consumers are looking for energy savings by replacing their boiler. Despite a boiler replacement appearing to be an expensive option, a replacement shouldn’t be reserved for when your boiler breaks down for good, as a new boiler could end up being the cheapest long-term solution for those wanting to reduce heating bills.
How do efficiency ratings work?
Boiler efficiency is generally determined by the age and type of your unit. Older boilers, through both design and continuous use, are less efficient than newly installed ones. Boiler efficiency is categorised by a percentage (a development from the old A-G rating system). A-rated boilers are more than 90% efficient while G-rated boilers are usually 65% efficient, which simply means an older boiler you are throwing away £0.035 in every pound you use to heat your radiators and hot water. As of October 2010, newly installed boilers have to be 88% efficient or more. Efficiency is also based on the type of model you have installed. For example, a non-condensing boiler wastes more energy and therefore costs more, while a condensing model (which condenses waste gases for later use) is more energy efficient, saving you more money over its lifetime.
How much money will I save?
Energy saving costs are dependent on several factors, primarily the age and efficiency of your current boiler, as well as the type of fuel that is used to heat your home. Additionally, energy prices vary throughout the country and this will have an effect on the overall savings that a new A-rated boiler provides.
New boiler savings can be substantial. However, this has to be offset against the cost of the replacement, which may vary depending on your options and current energy costs. If you decide to spread the cost over 10 years (as an example), the monthly savings could be higher than the monthly instalment payments, and your boiler could essentially pay for itself.
New Energy Efficient Boiler Options
To improve boiler efficiency, it’s important to have the right model for your home – one that can cope with your needs and keep costs to a minimum:
- Combi(nation) boilers heat water on demand, making them incredibly cost-effective and energy efficient. However, as they don’t have a hot water storage cylinder, they are less effective for larger properties and families.
- Conventional boilers are perhaps the most common form of boiler in use today, which makes replacing them relatively hassle free. Due to their connection to a water tank, this is often the best choice for families who need lots of hot water at the same time.
- System boilers are somewhere between a combi boiler and a conventional boiler, offering efficiency and high water supply.
Whatever your choice, installing an A-rated boiler will go a long way in helping to save money on energy bills.
Other Energy Saving Tips
Completely replacing your old boiler to reduce heating bills is a big step. As previously mentioned, the upfront costs can be somewhat off-putting, despite the potential rewards being very attractive. There are also plenty of steps that can be taken to make your home more energy efficient, maximising heat usage from an older boiler and reducing waste:
- An easy method for avoiding unnecessary energy waste is manually timing your central heating and hot water. We recommend setting your heating and hot water to come on at different times as this can help your radiators or hot water heat up quicker. By ensuring that your boiler is off whilst you’re not in the house, you can save money and cut down on your energy output.
- Even simple tricks like keeping your radiators uncovered can maximise their heat output, ensuring that you cut your carbon emissions and save on energy bills.
