Our heating is one of the biggest outlays we have when it comes to those monthly bills, especially during a cold winter when the radiators are on all the time. The good news is that switching to a more energy efficient boiler could make a big difference and is not as expensive as many people think.
But how do you know if your current boiler is performing at its best and what can you do if it isn’t?
What is the efficiency of your boiler?
To check the true efficiency, you will need to get a qualified boiler engineer in who can carry out tests including measuring energy input and output. If it’s an old model then it’s more likely that you are wasting heat and energy compared to newer systems.
The latest condensing boilers, for instance, are great at taking wasted heat and recycling it to further improve efficiency. The other thing that you should keep an eye on is if your heating bills are rising a bit too quickly.
Most boilers come with an energy efficiency rating (known as SEDBUK) which ranges from A to G, G being the lowest and least efficient (usually around 70%). The most efficient new boilers are A rated at over 90%. The old SEDBUK rating is found on boilers produced between 2005 and 2009. The new SEDBUK rating is for boilers produced from 2009 onwards.
Even if you have a higher rating than G, if your system is not maintained properly it can lead to poor performance.
Why is an energy efficient boiler important?
Switching from an old, inefficient G rated boiler to a new one with an A rating could save you over £300 on your energy bills a year according to the latest research. It means that more of the energy you use actually goes into the heating of water and radiators rather than being wasted. The other thing that improving the efficiency of your boiler is going to do is lower that all-important carbon footprint – something we all need to be doing.
What to do if your boiler isn’t efficient
There are certain things you can do. The first is to make sure that you have regular servicing for your boiler system. It’s something many of us ignore but helps maintain efficiency, even in the oldest boilers. The other thing to do is consider a boiler upgrade.
As a leading Bristol boiler installation company, we know the benefits that can come from a more efficient system. The initial cost of installation has come down over the last few years and the return on investment is really good, especially if you’re moving from a very inefficient boiler to one of the new condensing ones.
DHS is a certified Bristol boiler company offering services across the South West. If you’re looking to get a boiler installed or think your boiler might be wasting energy, give us a call today on 0117 924 7200, email us or request a call back.
Unit 2 Septimus Buildings 
