Why use an energy efficient system?

High efficiency condensing boilers convert around 90% of their fuel into heat, compared to 79% for conventional types.

They have a larger, or sometimes an additional, heat exchanger. This heat exchanger captures much of the energy otherwise lost through the flue. The flue gases are cooled to the point where water vapour, produced during combustion, condenses. This is where the name "condensing boiler" comes from.

Condensing boilers can be easily fitted to most new and old heating systems. Although most benefit is gained from gas and LPG systems. They are usually no larger than conventional boilers and are designed to fit inside a kitchen cupboard.. You can buy them as either combination boilers, which supplies domestic hot water on demand, or conventional system boilers, where a separate hot water cylinder is required.

How energy efficient is your boiler?

If it's 10-15 years old then it probably isn't. If it's 15 years old or more, then replacing it with a new high efficiency condensing boiler could save you around a third off your heating bills.

Regulations introduced on 1st April 2005 in England and Wales require that most boilers fitted from now on are of the high efficiency condensing type. We will be able to advise you about Energy Saving Recommended models. You can check out the seasonal efficiency of any boiler on the SEDBUK web site. If you install the right heating controls with your new boiler, you could save up to 40% on your fuel bill - that's about £150 - £180 off the average bill.
Heating control components.
Installing new controls can reduce your heating bills, as well as making your heating more flexible. If you are installing a new boiler, the building regulations now require that you have a minimum standard of heating controls. This may require that one or more of the following is fitted: replacement programmer; thermostats; new motorised valves; provision of a boiler interlock. We can advise on these on request.

With better controls fitted heating systems can react to changes in temperature, provide different levels of heat in different rooms, and switch hot water on and off at whatever times are specified by the homeowner.

Heating controls will pay for themselves in less than five years. The more control, the greater the savings on energy and money - as much as 17% on the average heating bill.

Good Reasons For Good Controls

• Heating and hot water accounts for over 80% of the energy consumption in the home.
• The installation of a minimum standard of controls in a wet system (which previously had no controls) can reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 20%.
• Controls to reduce the average temperature in the house by 1°C, will reduce consumption by up to 10%.
• Reducing the heating'on' time by 2 hours a day will reduce consumption by up to 6%.
• Systems where the heating circuit to the hot water cylinder is pumped, rather than through gravity circulation, will save at least 5%.

Radiators, Thermostatic Valves, and Bypass Valves

For control of room temperature, it is beneficial to fit thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs). As the room temperature approaches the position set by the user on the TRV, the valve begins to close. This restricts the flow of water through the radiator. When the room temperature reaches the set point, the valve will be completely shut, thus maintaining control of the room temperature.

Most TRVs can now be fitted on either flow or return pipe work. It is important that boiler manufacturers' requirements are checked before fitting TRVs, because some boilers require that a minimum water flow rate is maintained at all times. Such boilers will require that a system bypass or an automatic bypass, is fitted. Sometimes, one radiator can be used to provide a bypass by not having a TRV fitted to it. However, it is generally more efficient to have an automatic bypass valve fitted, normally near the boiler or the cylinder.

When replacing your boiler, you may need to fit TRVs and an automatic bypass valve to comply with the Building Regulations as a minimum standard.

Ask how you can save £££s on energy consumption

Call us today on 0800 078 9464 or contact us

Did you know?
75% of the energy used in the home is for heating and hot water. This equates to one third of the UK’s CO 2 emissions. Just by replacing your boiler will reduce your homes CO2 emissions by 1.1 tonnes, By fitting a condensing boiler and solar thermal panels will reduce your homes CO2 emissions by 1.7 tonnes.