Get Motivated

Home, Travel and Food: together they make up more than 60% of the average UK resident's carbon footprint. Here you'll find the latest news, research and ideas to help you cut their impact.

Call The A-rated TeamPrint

If your heating bills are taking their toll on your wallet each month, it could be time to take a look at your boiler. Is it pulling its weight?

All appliances come with an energy rating, the most efficient are rated A while the least are given a G rating. The current lifespan of a boiler is around 12 years. If yours is this old it could be G-rated, in which case a boiler upgrade could net you some significant savings on your heating bills.

Not only will your wallet be happier, but you could save CO2, too

Our boilers can account for around 60 per cent of a gas-heated home's CO2 emissions so ensuring yours is carbon-friendly is a crucial step in reducing your home's footprint.

Why is a condensing boiler better?

Put simply, a condensing boiler captures more heat and ensures that as little heat as possible is lost in gases through the flue. And, because you're burning less fuel to heat your home, you're saving CO2 as well as money.

The secret behind a condensing boiler's low carbon success is its larger, more efficient heat exchanger. When in condensing mode, it releases waste gas at a much lower temperature than a non-condensing boiler.

Help with your heating

Warm Front grants worth up to £3,500 (or £6,000 where oil, low carbon or renewable technologies are recommended) are available to eligible homeowners and private tenants. If you receive certain benefits then you may qualify for a grant, which can be used to pay for energy-saving measures such as loft insulation, draught-proofing and installing a more efficient boiler.

Key Facts

  • High-efficiency condensing boilers can convert up to 86% or more of their fuel into heat, compared to around 65% for some old G-rated boilers
  • Servicing your boiler annually will help ensure it continues to work as efficiently as possible
  • Check your heating system is working as efficiently as possible, review your boiler thermostat, cylinder thermostat and timer to match your needs more closely

Saving assumption for calculations: the savings for the condensing boiler upgrade are for changing from an old G-rated boiler to an A-rated condensing boiler and a full set of heating controls. Savings shown are approximate and are provided for illustrative purposes only, and are based on a gas heated semi-detached house with 3 bedrooms. Savings assume a gas price of 3.80p/kWh.

Quick links

Energy Saving Trust www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

The Warm Front Scheme www.warmfront.co.uk

Sources

[1] The current lifespan of a boiler is around 12 years. Fitting an A-rated high efficiency condensing boiler with the correct heating and hot water controls can make a huge difference to your heating bills over time.
Information Source: The Energy Saving Trust (Under Grants Costs and Savings)

[2] Boilers account for around 60% of the carbon dioxide emissions in a gas heated home. By replacing an old G rated boiler with a new high efficiency condensing boiler and improving your heating controls, you will significantly cut your home's carbon dioxide emissions and could save as much as £225 a year.
Information Source: The Energy Saving Trust (Under Heating and Hot Water)

[3] The savings for the condensing boiler upgrade are for changing from an old G-rated boiler to an A-rated condensing boiler and a full set of heating controls. Savings shown are approximate and are provided for illustrative purposes only, and are based on a gas heated semi-detached house with 3 bedrooms. Savings assume a gas price of 3.80p/kWh.
Information Source: The Energy Saving Trust (Under Heating assumptions)

[4]  The Warm Front Scheme provides a package of insulation and heating improvements up to the value of £3,500 (or £6,000 where oil, low carbon or renewable technologies are recommended). It is a Government-funded initiative and the scheme is managed by Eaga.
Information Source: Directgov

[5] From 2005 any new gas boiler installed had to be high efficiency condensing boiler. And since October 2010 any new boiler installed must be A-rated, or 88% efficient.
Information Source: The Energy Saving Trust (Under fourth paragraph - What is a high efficiency condensing boiler? See table under Grants, costs and savings where G ( < 70%).)

[6] It's important to have any gas or oil fired appliance like a boiler serviced once a year. The flue will need checking to make sure it is clear, and your registered installer will also check that your boiler is running safely and efficiently for you.
Information Source: The Energy Saving Trust (Under 'How often should I get my boiler serviced?')

[7] To ensure efficient use of your heating system, review your boiler thermostat, cylinder thermostat, time programmer and thermostatic radiator valve settings and re-set them to match your needs more closely in terms of timing and comfort.
Information Source: The Energy Saving Trust  (Under 'How can I make my central heating system more efficient without spending lots of money?')

Team Green Britain and London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Ltd (LOCOG) do not endorse any of the products, companies, organisations, opinions or websites that have been mentioned in this article. The content of this article has merely been provided as background to, or discussion on, various topical issues relating to the environment and it is not necessarily representative of the views of Team Green Britain and LOCOG. Further, any figures and calculations noted in this article are estimates (unless otherwise specified), and may vary in light of numerous factors and readers are advised to undertake their own research in relation to the facts and figures applicable to their particular circumstance. Certain facts and figures shown have been sourced from third parties. Team Green Britain has not verified information sourced from third parties and Team Green Britain cannot take responsibility for the accuracy of these facts and figures.