Lets Talk Boilers...
Changes to the Building Regulations for England & Wales state that all new gas boilers that are installed (with a few exceptions) must be high efficiency condensing boilers, rated A or B on the SEDBUK Rating System. (As described below).
SEDBUK stands for Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK. It is the standard measure of a boilers efficiency achieved in typical domestic conditions. All central heating boilers come with an energy label indicating their efficiency, A being the most efficient.
Band |
SEDBUK Range |
A |
90+% |
B |
86% - 90% |
C |
82% - 86% |
D |
78% - 82% |
E |
74% - 78% |
F |
70% - 74% |
G |
60% - 70% |
A rated boilers are at least 90% efficient, which means that 90% of the gas used is converted into heat, therefore there is very little wastage, less gas is used to achieve the same level of heat and energy bills can be lower.
Older boilers can be unexpectedly inefficient because they allow a large amount of heat to escape. Some only operate at 50% efficiency, meaning that 50p of every £1 you spend on energy goes straight up the chimney, literally!
Condensing Boilers explained:
There are two Types of condensing boilers.
The Combination Boiler
These boilers are perfect for people with hectic lifestyles, who want their hot water in an instant. They combine a high-efficiency water heater with a central heating boiler.
They are the market leader, offering quick reponse times for heating and hot water supply.
They can save you money as they only heat water when you need it.
They provide hot water at mains pressure, so you will not get trickling water from your taps.
They save space as no hot water cylinder or cold water storage tank are required.
No tanks in the loft means a quicker, cheaper installation as fewer pipes are used.
The System Boiler
These are suitable for larger houses as they have a greater capacity than combination boilers as they work with stored hot water.
They offer fast response times and economical running costs.
Installation is relatively quick as many components are built in.
