When purchasing a new boiler with boiler efficiency in mind, there are numerous things to take into account. You might not be aware of what to search for given the wide range of items on the market and boiler kinds accessible. The size and layout of your home are two things you should think about. Many people’s decisions will be influenced by their budget, and there are also practical considerations like where to put the boiler that must be made.
The effectiveness of the boiler should also constantly be considered while choosing one. In fact, there are three key reasons why boiler efficiency is one of the most crucial elements:
Cost savings:
An effective boiler will consume less energy to heat and supply hot water to your home. This may result in hundreds of pounds in savings over the course of a year. Potential cost reductions should be compared to the price of purchasing and installing a boiler. Even though a certain model can be more expensive, it might wind up saving you money over time.
Comfort:
Even though it’s becoming a touch chilly, you might hesitate to switch on the heating if you’re on a tight budget. Because of the boiler’s efficiency, maintaining a pleasant temperature in your home will be more cheap.
Sustainability:
It’s becoming more and more clear that we need to lessen our carbon footprint. We can all do our part by lowering the amount of energy we consume at home, and an effective boiler will enable us to do so. You’ll not only save money, but you’ll also be doing your part to protect the environment for coming generations.
Boilers have gotten more and more efficient as technology has advanced, and the condensing boiler is one innovation that significantly enhanced boiler efficiency. Since 2005, all new gas boiler installations in the UK must use condensing boilers.
How do condensing boilers work?
Prior to the invention of condensing boilers, a significant portion of the heat produced by a boiler was lost as hot gases through the exhaust. Heat that simply exits the system wastes energy that could have been utilized to heat water, which is what a boiler is designed to do.
A condensing boiler uses the heat that would otherwise be lost to warm the water that returns from your radiators to the boiler. In order to ensure that as much heat as possible is delivered to the water, condensing boilers also have a larger heat exchanger than non-condensing boilers.
The heated gases are cooled by the cool water returning to the boiler to the point where water condenses and escapes through a drain. Less energy is required to heat the water in your boiler thanks to this method, which uses more of the heat produced rather than letting it escape through the chimney.
A non-condensing boiler operates at about 75%–78% boiler efficiency, but a modern condensing boiler operates at about 90–94% efficiency. These figures represent the percentage of heat generated that is actually utilised to heat water as opposed to simply leaving the system. A non-condensing boiler wastes about 22%–25% of the energy it uses, whereas a condensing boiler wastes about 6%–10%.
In terms of money, a condensing boiler wastes between £6 and £10 for every £100 you spend on energy. With a non-condensing boiler, the figure is more in the range of £22 to £25 every £100 spent. These figures make it simple to understand how much money a condensing boiler can help you save.
Ratings for Boiler Efficiency
The SEDBUK (Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers) classification was previously used to rate the boiler efficiency. Although ErP (Energy Related Products Directive) has now taken the role of SEDBUK, you will still discover that many boilers are classified according to the SEDBUK classification.
SEDBUK ratings range from A to G, with “A” representing the highest grade and indicating an efficiency of at least 90%. Grades “B” and “C” refer to efficiency levels between 82% and 86%, respectively. The most effective ErP classification is A***, which is followed by A**, A*, A, B, C, and lastly D.
According to the ErP directive from SEDBUK, an engineer installing a boiler for you is required to determine the installation’s efficiency while accounting for every system component. You will benefit from this since engineers will have to ensure that your system is as efficient as possible, helping you to save money.
Can I Improve the Efficiency of My Boiler?
Although condensing boilers are significantly more energy-efficient than older models, there is still more you can do to lower your energy consumption. These consist of:
Automated Thermostats
Especially during the week when people are at work, many homes will be vacant throughout the day. Programmable thermostats assist in ensuring that you only use energy when necessary by ensuring that many homes won’t require any heating during this period. A warm house and hot water will be ready for you when you arrive home from work if you set the timer for 15 to 20 minutes beforehand.
Modulation
A boiler can modulate its output, which allows it to change in response to your needs. The heating power supply can be turned down as opposed to being turned on or off, as is the case with boilers without modulation. Modulation promotes further efficiency gains while minimizing component wear and tear.
Adaptive controls
You can regulate your heating from a smartphone or other device with smart controls. Additionally, smart controls can learn your patterns and recognize when it’s appropriate to lower the heat to save energy.
A new boiler is an expensive purchase that will significantly increase your monthly heating costs. To save money, increase comfort in your house, and contribute to environmental protection, it is worthwhile to take your time and ensure that you get an efficient boiler.
