A Guide On How To Buy A New Boiler

Providing hot water and heating for your family is essential and everyone has to do it. However, millions of households are wasting money by not installing a more energy efficient heating system. This guide will help you decide which kind of boiler you need and the safest way to have it installed as well as how you can save more money on your heating bills.

A new law was passed in April 2005 which meant all new boilers must now be high energy efficient condensing boilers, unless it is too expensive or difficult to do so. To evaluate whether you fall into the category of not being able to install a condensing gas boiler a qualified heating engineer will use a Building Regulations Approved Document L1, this is normally available from your local library.

There are many plumbers and handy men who claim to be able to install boilers however it is very important to enlist the help of a qualified Gas Safe boiler engineer when installing a new heating system. Gas Safe recently took over from Corgi and you can check if a boiler engineer is registered to fit your boiler by visiting www.gassaferegister.co.uk. Another thing to keep in mind is if you fit a new gas boiler and heating system it must meet minimum energy efficiency regulations especially if you are a landlord or property developer. A qualified heating engineer should be able to advise you on the minimum requirements as well as the best position for your boiler, which is crucial when considering which boiler you may need.

The energy efficiency of boilers has improved greatly over the last couple of decades. An average boiler installed in the 1990s was 20% more efficient than one installed in the 1970s. Changing from a low G-rated traditional boiler to an A-rated condensing boiler could reduce a households CO2 emissions by over a tonne a year. Actually in the UK alone up to 16% of the carbon dioxide produced is from gas and oil boilers.

The older your current boiler is the more likely it is going to be a G-rated boiler, which in some cases only converts around 60% of the gas into heat for your home. A condensing gas boiler is far more energy efficient and reduces the amount of energy lost through the flue. As a result an A-rated condensing boiler can be over 90% efficient resulting in greater efficiency and less money wasted. Installing a condensing boiler can save the average home over £100 a year. Modern boilers are also relatively easy to install and can replace most wall hung and floor standing gas boilers. Combination condensing boilers provide immediate hot water and heat through the pipes in your home. They are usually small units and are often bought for small properties with only one bathroom as you cannot run hot water through multiple taps at the same time.

If you want to control how much heat you use more accurately as well as the temperature in each room you can fit digital heating controls with a high energy efficient condensing gas boiler. Another benefit of fitting digital controls is that you can further reduce your heating bills in some cases they can save you a further £90 a year on top of your savings from installing a condensing gas boiler. New heating systems will also heat your home much more quickly and efficiently than many older systems.

If you need to buy a new boiler you can call British Gas they will send a qualified Gas Safe engineer to visit your home give you a free assessment and provide advice on the best heating system for your needs.