The Energy Trust believe that a quarter of all UK homes have an energy inefficient boiler which is more than ten years old.

These energy inefficient boilers mean that homes with these installed will be experiencing higher energy bills and polluting the environment with more carbon gas emissions.

If you have any concerns over the efficiency of your boiler then you should look into how you can tell whether your boiler is energy inefficient or not. So, taking a quick look at your boiler and guessing how it’s doing, is not going to work. Rather, the best thing to ask yourself is, is your boiler a condensing boiler? If it is, then you most probably have about as efficient a boiler as you are going to get. And as long as it’s working properly and is serviced once a year, then you don’t have much to worry about.

You see a condensing boiler is the most efficient around. At 90% efficiency, it puts older and more conventional boilers in the shade, as some older models can struggle to achieve more than 60%.

The reason why a condensing boiler is so efficient, is it effectively has two grabs at the available energy provided by the burning of the fuel source. So, the boiler heats the water from the energy produced from the burning fuel and from the energy in the exhaust gases, which can add an extra 20 to 30% efficiency.

And everyone is so keen on these boilers as a way of bringing down the costs of heating and saving the planet with less CO2 emissions, that they are now a part of the Building Regulations. So if a new house is built, or you have a boiler replaced, it should be of the condensing type. There are a few exceptions (mainly to do with the type of property you live in), but it’s now the law.

The only downside with the condensing boiler is they are more expensive. They have for example two heat exchangers instead of one and they require a fan in the flue (as the second heat process has changed the flow dynamics and a fan is needed to help withdraw the exhaust gases). The flue also has to be on an outside wall, because a drain system has to be installed to rid the flue of fluid that is created with the second burning process. This is the reason why some properties can’t have condensing boilers. Certain properties cannot have a boiler and flue on an outside wall, so they have to be fitted with a conventional boiler.

Take a look at what type of boiler you have. If it’s not a condensing boiler, then think about getting one, as it will help save you money in the long run.

A good way to check your boilers efficiency is by checking your boiler against the boiler efficiency rating that highlights how well your boiler works. Currently, the efficiency ratings are classified as follows (note: the higher the percentage the more efficient the boiler) –

A = 90% and above
B = 86% – 90%
C = 82% – 86%
D = 78% – 82%
E = 74% – 78%
F = 70% – 74%
G = Below 70%

To check the efficiency rating of your boiler you can look this up on the boiler efficiency database that is available on the SEBUK (Seasonal Efficiency Boilers in the UK) website. This database lists all the different types, makes and models of boilers and its aim is to identify the different efficiencies between boilers. The data is developed with boiler manufacturers and is updated on a monthly basis so the information that you deem from this research will be relevant and up-to-date.

The information on the SEBUK website is also used by the government to calculate Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratings which is how they calculate the energy performance of houses.

Therefore, SEBUK is a very good way to gauge whether your boiler is efficient or not as well as being a method for comparing newer boilers and deciding whether you would be better off replacing your boiler if it has a low efficiency rating. The SEBUK website also offers a free online calculator to give you an approximate estimate of how much your annual fuel costs will be. Again, you should use this to compare against newer boiler types.

If you discover your boiler is rated lowly on the chart then it is likely to be inefficient and you should consider replacing the boiler. Remember, boiler usage accounts for over 60% of what households spend on energy each year so changing from an energy inefficient boiler can make a huge difference to your household.

Guest Article by Sarah Wain

Looking after your boiler is important to ensure that it is running safely and efficiently.

Not only that but a well looked after boiler should help you save money or your fuel bill as well as being less likely to breakdown especially when you need it the most over the winter months. It is therefore recommended that to keep your boiler well maintained you should follow the tips that are detailed below –

Get your boiler serviced regularly

The best tip for boiler maintenance is to ensure that your boiler gets regularly serviced by a qualified and registered company or engineer. This regular service will highlight any problems with the boiler before they happen and deteriorate into an expensive repair or fault. They will also ensure that the boiler is energy-efficient and safe to use.

Don’t cover the boiler

It is important to ensure that you don’t cover the boiler so that it is poorly ventilated as this can cause health and safety issues for your household. This also includes covering up an external ventilation grills and outside flues that may be in operation.

Don’t open the boiler cover

You should never open the boiler cover or attempt to try and fix a problem yourself. Boilers should not be tampered with and if a fault is being experienced you should call a qualified company or engineer to come and investigate the problem.

Check the boiler over the summer months

During the summer months we tend to forget about the boiler and central heating system however we should check the boiler at least once a month during this period. This not only reassures us that the boiler is still working but it can also help reduce any build-up of dirt that can accumulate in the boiler.

Time the heating to come on if you are away for a long period

If you decide to go away over the winter months it is recommended that you time your boiler to come on, on a low temperature during this period. This will ensure that the boiler is regularly worked and it will ensure that pipes within your home are less prone to freezing or bursting.

Install a carbon monoxide detector

It is important to have a carbon monoxide tester installed in your home as this is a system to warn you and your family if there is a carbon monoxide leak in your boiler. It will not only alert you to the fact that there is a fault with your boiler but it can also save you and your family’s lives.

Clean the boiler

Clean the boiler every six months to ensure that the cover doesn’t become rusty or rundown. To clean the boiler you just need to wipe it with a damp cloth. However, if there are any scratches on the painted metal then this should be cleaned by rubbing petroleum jelly over the mark and then wiping it off.

Ensure you have the boilers maintenance manual

If your boiler breaks down you may require the maintenance manual. You may also require the maintenance manual to ensure that you are getting the most out of your heating controls. It is therefore important to have a copy of the manual readily available. If you don’t you should download one from the manufacturer’s website.

Keep an eye on the pressure gauge

It is important for you to keep an eye on and understand the pressure gauge on the boiler as this pressure may need to be topped up or reduced. Ensuring the boiler is working at the correct pressure will ensure that the boiler is kept in good working order. If the pressure changes then you should call out a qualified engineer to check the boiler.

Adjust the controls

Knowing how to use the heating controls is essential for getting the most out of your boiler and ensuring that the maintenance that it receives is based on correct usage requirements. It also ensures you maintain regular use of the boiler.

Guest Article by Sarah Wain

It is recommended that you get your boiler serviced once a year to ensure that it won’t break down over the winter months and that it is as energy efficient as possible.

However, if something goes wrong and your boiler does develop a fault when you need it the most are you covered to get this fixed quickly?

That is when boiler insurance cover can come into its own as it gives homeowners peace of mind that their central heating system can be repaired quickly without having to phone around local companies to get quotes and then schedule the boiler to be fixed. But many people consider boiler insurance as a waste of money as it could be something that is never needed. These people feel it is better to run the risk and if a breakdown occurs they will pay for it out of their savings. Also, with the credit crunch hitting family spending and budgets the thought of paying for additional insurance cover that may not be required can seem uneconomical.

The main benefits of boiler insurance cover is that it firstly covers all your call-out charges, labour and parts, so is comprehensive in this manner. Secondly, the policies will often cover the annual servicing fees as well as providing safety checks. Thirdly, there are policies which can pay towards the cost of boiler replacement if the boiler is beyond repair.

However, there are also disadvantages of boiler cover. The main one is that you could take out the cover and never use it and therefore could spend a lot of money that could be utilised elsewhere. Also, with ad hoc servicing and repair it is understandable why individuals decide just to pay out rather than taking out a policy as it is estimated that the average cost of a service is £70 and a repair to a boiler is £200.

At the end of the day, the decision as whether to take out boiler insurance cover or just rely on ad hoc boiler servicing is a personal one that is swayed by the households’ personal finances. It needs to be a balance between whether it is felt that ad hoc boiler servicing is enough or if the boiler is old and prone to breakdown whether it needs some more robust cover. It is therefore up to you to assess the risk of the boiler breaking down and to make a judgement as to what is the best option.

There is no doubt that if you need to get your boiler fixed or replaced it will cost a large sum of money so paying a small amount each month won’t hit your pocket for one lump sum. However, insurance cover can be expensive as there are varying degrees of cover that can be taken out. For example, just covering the boiler and controls will be a lot cheaper than insuring the whole central heating system. Also, the make, model and age of your boiler will affect the monthly price that needs to be paid. And you will also need to find what the policy covers and whether a replacement boiler if required is part of the plan. If not, you could still be paying out.

Guest Article by Sarah Wain

Most of the latest boilers on the market today are more energy efficient and compact than they used to be. Nowadays you can buy a combi boiler with a high output which delivers more hot water per minute at a higher temperature than before. This is great if you nice powerful got showers. Ideally making the right decision when choosing your heating system falls under a number of different categories, price, place and requirements.

The best way to come to a decision on price is to first look at what you can afford to pay. If you have some flexibility on price you can base it more on what requirements are important to you. You may want to go for one that has more integrated controls and is much more energy efficient, which over the long term can actually save you a lot of cash. When considering place you may want to install your new system in a more convenient place either because you want to free up space somewhere or to tuck it away out of site. On a different note considering place buying a respected boiler brand can make all the difference. One thing is for certain experiencing years of problems with your heating system is no fun, so always go with a respected brand like Baxi, Worcester or British Gas.

If you have made the choice of boiler for your home heating system, then you can significantly reduce your household’s carbon footprint for years to come. For the rest of us, there is no better time than now to consider upgrading to a newer, greener, high-efficiency unit. The best boilers on the market can pay for themselves over time. A SEDBUK A-rated boiler is over 90% energy efficient. This means less energy is wasted and more is used to heat your home. Given the choice always go with an A-rated boiler. When buying a boiler always consult with a qualified Gas Safe registered boiler engineer. Buying the wrong boiler for your needs could result in a disaster. 

All of these aspects are important when making a decision and will enable you to get the most suitable boiler with the most suitable combination of features and price. Some people might say that it’s just a heating system; you buy it, install it and off you go. However, more often than not there are extra features that you should look out for that add to the whole heating experience. Things like the efficiency of the boiler; how much fuel does it use to keep your house at the required temperature and what other hidden costs could impact your ongoing running expenses. How easy is it going to be to install? How reliable will it be? Always have the boiler installed by a qualified boiler installer and in most cases the installation costs can match or even exceed the cost of unit itself.

Another important point to consider would be the emissions from the boiler. Some of them will have significantly higher emissions than others. This should definitely affect your decision, depending on how “green” you would like your household to be. We all like to do our bit for the environment and if we save a few bob at the same time then all-the-better.

If space is a problem then you’ll have to consider the dimensions of the gas boiler. Luckily some of them will even fit discretely in a kitchen cupboard. The size will also play a part in the installation as well, simply because smaller units like combi’s can be easier to handle, especially if you decide to mount it on a wall. The last thing to consider, and most probably the deciding factor for many, would be the cost of the boiler itself. Once you have gone through the different features and decided which are right for your particular circumstances, you will want to compare boilers from various brands to see which one will give you best value for your money. The best way to do that is to check out our boiler reviews and see for yourself.

The bottom line is that you may be able to find something made by one manufacturer that does not have the same capabilities as another. You might find that a particular brand can offer you the same output as another but it will be a smaller model, saving you money and space. If you keep all this in mind while deciding what to buy, you shouldn’t go wrong when it comes to making your final purchase.

When looking to purchase a new boiler you may want to consider installing an eco-friendly one, which are much kinder to the environment and are also much more energy efficient resulting in lower energy bills.

There are numerous types of boiler currently on the market that are energy efficient and friendlier to the environment than older boilers. The most popular boilers at present are combination boilers. The majority of these boilers are run on gas as most UK homes are connected to the gas network and work by taking cold water and heating it directly. Even though they are powered by a fossil fuel they are considered environmentally friendly due to being more technologically advanced therefore offering greater energy efficiency than older types of boilers.

However, apart from these common types of gas boilers what other types of boiler can be installed in homes and what fuel can they be powered by to make them more environmentally friendly?

Firstly, households could look to install a solar heating system which can be used to heat the hot water in a property. The hot water will be heated from the electricity generated from solar panels that are typically installed on the roof. It is assumed that if the most efficient solar heating system is installed in a home then it will provide the household with at least 40-60% of its yearly hot water requirements.

Secondly, homes can install wood pellet condensing boilers (also known as biomass boilers). This type of boiler burns wood such as logs, chips or pellets instead of gas or oil and are therefore considered more environmentally friendly. The reason why is because the wood that is burned will release the same amount of carbon emissions as if it was left to rot and die in the environment. These biomass boilers can therefore completely replace a fossil fuel system which is something that solar panels for example are unable to do at present as they rely on sunlight to power the systems.

Whatever type of boiler you implement it can be argued that most are in some respects environmentally friendly, especially as the government is working to ensure that all new boilers installed in homes meet certain eco-standards.

You can even do your own assessment as to whether a boiler is eco-friendly or not, as to be classed as environmentally-friendly boilers must attain a certain standard. These standards include the insulation material used on the boiler as it should have global warming potential and the boilers should be designed so that they consume as little energy as possible. Also, the material used in the boilers manufacture should not be corrosive and the heaters should be made to last longer than older boilers and be made out of recyclable material.

Guest Article by Sarah Wain