The life expectancy of a gas boiler is 10 to 15 years, but if you have a model of this sort of age a newer energy saving boiler could provide you with considerable savings and reduce COČ emissions. A modern high efficiency condensing energy saving boiler recovers as much possible waste heat which is then passed through a heat exchange. This significantly increases the efficiency of the boiler and the temperature of the gases released from the flue is also reduced to approximately 50°C as opposed to 150°C. In addition these boilers are 85-90% efficient compared to only about 78% in new conventional models and less in older models.
By working in this way energy saving boilers can save you considerable amounts of money. With the right heating controls you could save as much as 25% on your hot water and heating bills! In addition, energy saving boilers significantly reduce COČ emissions. If everyone in the UK with gas or oil-fired central heating switched to a high efficiency energy saving boiler with full heating controls, enough energy would be saved to heat almost 1.9 million homes for a year and COČ emissions would be cut by 6.7 million tonnes per year! Carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases causing climate change so any reduction is important.
Room thermostats and individual radiator thermostats also ensure that you are using your energy saving boiler as efficiently as possible by only heating rooms as required and to the right temperature. It is recommended that thermostats be set between 18 and 21°C. Closing windows when the central heating is on and drawings curtains at dusk will also slow down heat loss.
A number of grants are available from the government, energy suppliers and local authorities so check your eligibility for these before investing in your new energy saving boiler, and check for the energy efficiency recommended kitemark when choosing the model.
Sources: www.est.org.uk and www.cat.org.uk 2009
