Is My Boiler Energy Efficient?
Is My Boiler Energy Efficient?
According to the UK’s Energy Saving Trust, heating costs are likely to account for approximately 55 percent of your annual domestic energy bill. Your boiler is the central component of your home’s central heating and hot water systems, so it needs to be efficient. So, how do you work out whether that’s the case?
Boiler Efficiency – Age and Ratings Matter
Generally, the newer your boiler is, the more efficient it’s likely to be. The British government brought in legislation to ensure that all boilers installed in homes from October 2010 onwards were at least 88 percent efficient. In April 2018, as part of the government’s new Boiler Plus regulations, the minimum level was increased to 92 percent.
For a more accurate idea of how your boiler performs, however, you’ll need to check its efficiency rating. Since 2015, boilers sold in the UK have been rated according to the European Union’s Energy-related Products Directive (ErP). All products that fall within this system are assigned letter ratings, with A+++ being highest and G being the lowest. The rating assigned to a particular boiler depends on the amount of energy that model uses and the amount it wastes. In principle, therefore, you can see how efficient your boiler is just by looking at its label.
However, the way in which boilers are rated in the UK has changed over the years, so if you have an older boiler model, it’s important to bear this in mind. Prior to the introduction of ErP ratings, they were rated according to the Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK (Sedbuk) system. There were two versions of this: Sedbuk 2005, which rated boilers from A to G; and Sedbuk 2009, which showed each model’s efficiency rating as a percentage.
Boiler Installation – Other Energy Efficiency Issues
The 2018 Boiler Plus regulations also stipulate that newly installed oil and gas boilers must have programmable timers and adjustable thermostats. Additionally, new combination boilers must feature at least one of the following:
- Flue gas recovery system.
- Load-compensating thermostat.
- Weather-compensating thermostat.
- Smart thermostat.
Therefore, the latest models on the market are likely to be far more energy-efficient than their older counterparts.
It’s worth noting that not only is anyone carrying out boiler installation breaking the law if they fail to comply with these rules, you could also be prosecuted for allowing non-compliant work to be carried out in your home. Therefore, if you’re going to swap your boiler for a newer, more energy-efficient version, make sure you choose an appropriate model and pick a reputable plumber to fit it.
