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 customers are looking for energy savings by replacing their boiler. Despite appearing to be an expensive option reserved for when your boiler breaks down for good, this could end up being the cheapest long-term solution for those wanting to reduce heating bills.
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, highlighting the gulf in performance between an older boiler and a modern one. As of October 2010, newly installed home units 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.
Energy saving costs are dependent on a number of 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. Below is a breakdown of the projected savings from Energy Saving Trust when comparing lower grade systems:
|Property Type||Grade G Boiler (under 70% efficient)||Grade F Boiler (70-74% efficient)||Grade E Boiler (74-78% efficient)||Grade D Boiler (78-82% efficient)|
Figures are based on fuel prices as of November 2021. Find out more about how we made these calculations.
As you can see, 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. Most standard replacements (excluding radiators) will cost in the region of £2,500 excluding radiators. Having said that, if you decide to spread the cost over, say, over 10 years, the monthly savings could be higher than the monthly instalment payments, and your boiler could essentially pay for itself.
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:
Completely replacing your old boiler to reduce heating bills is a big step. As previously mentioned, the upfront costs can be very off-putting, despite the potential rewards being very attractive. There are plenty of steps that can be taken to make your home more energy efficient, maximising heat usage from an older boiler and reducing waste:
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