If you are considering buying a new boiler for your home you will have come across the different types of boilers available for purchase such as combination boilers and condensing boilers.

However, as well as deciding on the type of boiler you want you will also need to make a decision as to how your boiler will be fuelled; and the main decision may come down to whether you want an oil-fired or gas-fired boiler.

An oil-fired boiler is a boiler that is most commonly used in homes that aren’t connected to the gas network and therefore these homes tend to be in rural locations. The oil will need to be delivered to each individual home and stored in a tank located on the premises. The boiler will work predominantly as a ‘wet’ heating system whereby the boiler will heat water for the central heating system and provide hot water when required.

The main advantage of using an oil boiler is that they can be very energy efficient if the right boiler is installed, such as a condensing boiler. This is because these types of boilers use the hot flue gases that would be wasted in older boilers to achieve greater efficiencies. These efficiencies also mean that the boiler is better for the environment as less carbon emissions are released into the atmosphere.

There are however some disadvantages of using an oil-boiler. The main downside is that oil is an expensive fuel to buy and it is likely that the purchase price of oil will continue to rise. Households also need to wait for the oil to be delivered, so if this sort of boiler is used it is important that oil usage is monitored and understood so that it doesn’t run out. Also, if installing an oil boiler for the first time then the installation costs can be high as not only does the boiler have to be installed but an oil storage tank needs to be fitted as well. Therefore, households will need to make sure they have the room available and are happy with having a large bulky storage tank in their garden.

Gas-fired boilers are the most popular central heating system in the UK with an estimated 3.5 million households using gas. The gas for the boiler is provided from the gas network through unseen underground pipes to individual homes.

The advantage of a gas boiler is the fact that again they can be very energy efficient if the most modern and efficient model is being used. It is also the easiest type of boiler to install as most homes are connected to a mains gas supply. This therefore means that households don’t have to worry about how and where they are going to store their energy supply.

The disadvantages are again that gas prices have risen over recent months and are likely to remain high. These types of boiler also come with their high installation costs and if a home isn’t connected to a gas supply then connection costs associated to this can also be high.

In conclusion, choosing whether you want an oil-fired boiler or a gas-boiler tends to come down to personal preference. Both these energy sources have the same disadvantages associated to them and therefore it will be the advantages that will ultimately sway your decision. If you live in a rural location or are not connected to a gas supply then using an oil boiler may be the best option for you. However, if you can choose between either fuel supply then the main decision could come down to whether you want to have an oil storage tank in your garden and order your oil to be delivered or have your fuel supplied by unseen gas pipes in the ground.

Guest Article by Sarah Wain

As winter is upon us, Worcester is one of a number of boiler manufacturers who are offering advice on how to save money.

Worcester is part of the Worcester, Bosch Group and is a manufacturer of a wide range of gas boilers, oil-fired boilers and LPG boilers. In it’s combi boiler product range alone it has ten different models, all with a SEEBUK A rating of plus 90%.

Top of the five main tips from Worcester to help reduce home heating bills is lower your room thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature. Bear in mind that by turning your thermostat down by just one degree, means you can cut fuel bills by around 10%.

Second tip is to remember that a number of key small measures, can collectively make a significant difference. Such moves as fitting low-energy light bulbs, washing clothes at low temperatures and turning appliances off rather, than leaving them on standby, are easy ways to reduce the amount of wasted home energy.

Tip three is don’t forget solar panels which don’t just need sunny weather to work. They are effective even in cloudy skies and provide useable energy; they can supply up to 60% of your annual hot water. Installation is not cheap, but starting at around £3,000, it needn’t break the bank and some homeowners could also receive a £400 government grant towards the cost.

Fourth tip is a new boiler. Much of course depends on the current boiler’s age and efficiency, but older models are simply not as efficient as more modern examples; a replacement condensing boiler can reduce a home’s carbon dioxide emissions by 15-30%.

It’s sobering to think that if everyone in the UK had a condensing boiler, the country’s annual carbon dioxide emissions would be reduced by 17.5 million tonnes. This would result in a saving of £1.3 billion on energy bills every year.

Last tip concerns the installation of heat pumps. A ground source heat pump, or an air source heat pump, can be used to harness the energy stored in the ground, or air, and meet a home’s heating and hot water needs. Heat pumps dramatically reduce fuel bills.

Government grants are available for the installation of such technology and costs vary from £1,500 to £2,000 for air to air systems, and between £7,000 and £12,000 for air to water.

Martyn Bridges, director of technical support at Worcester, Bosch Group said:
“Every year, millions of pounds worth of energy is needlessly wasted in our homes. With everyone watching their pennies more than ever, it has never been a better time to think about your home’s heating and hot water provision.

“Around 20% of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions come from domestic heating systems. Householders can reduce these emissions and therefore fuel bills in a variety of ways, from small money saving measures to investing in renewable technologies.

“According to the Energy Saving Trust, each year every household in the UK creates six tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. At Worcester, we are committed to developing environmentally friendly domestic heating systems designed to reduce the amount of energy that is wasted in the home, therefore minimising our impact on the environment.”

Guest Article by Neil Camp