Boilers and reducing your fuel bill

Replace your old boiler.

This is the number one tip as current real advancement in heating technology mean that todays boilers are far more energy efficient if you replace a 10-15 year old boiler you will save aroud 20% off your current fuel bills.

Older boilers are around 50% efficient modern conventional model will be around 80% efficient or new condensing boilers are a staggering 90% efficient they cost more but the cost will be recouped in around 4 to 5 years. New 'high efficiency' gas boilers, for example, those with thermal capacity heat exchangers, are more efficient than standard new boilers and may be more suitable for small or medium sized houses.

How to choose an efficient boiler.

There is now a boiler database showing the efficiency of gas and oil domestic boilers. Both current and obsolete boilers are included and the database is regularly updated. The database was developed on behalf of the government to help SAP assessors and is also intended to help purchasers and specifiers to select efficient heating boilers for domestic central heating system. 

Most boiler manufacturers publish the average seasonal efficiency figures of their boilers, similar to the ratings you see on electrical appliances such as fridges freezers and washing machines etc. A simple guide to efficiency, has been created with SEDBUK efficiency bands assigned to boilers on a 'A' to 'G' scale. The band is shown on the database and may be used on product literature, the scheme is temporary and it will be replaced when the European directive on boiler energy labeling is introduced.