Low Carbon: Advice on heating your home from the Energy Saving Trust
The current lifespan of a boiler is around 15 years so choosing the correct heating system with a condensing boiler and correct heating controls can make a huge difference over time. With energy prices now higher than ever, you'll certainly feel the difference in your pocket.
How they work
Condensing boilers are the most efficient available as they waste the least amount of energy. They convert much more of the fuel they use into useful heat compared to old conventional boilers.
By law, new gas boilers fitted in England and Wales must (with a few exceptions) be condensing ones, Make sure your installer is Gas Safe registered* and ask about condensing boilers. They will be able to tell you which one would best suit your home.
*(Gas Safe replaced CORGI as of April 2009)
The savings
About 60% of your household's CO2 emissions come from your boiler. That's why choosing a condensing boiler is so important. Replacing an old boiler with a new condensing boiler and a full set of heating controls will not only reduce your home's CO2 emissions by up to 1,300 kilograms a year, but it could also save you as much as ã235 a year on your energy bills.
How the savings add up
If everyone in the UK who could, installed a condensing boiler with a full set of heating controls, CO2 emissions would be cut by around 6.7 million tonnes and the energy saved each year would be enough to heat over half the homes in London..
Look for the logo
Remember to ask your installer for an Energy Saving Recommended boiler and look for the logo on heating controls. It's your guarantee that these products are the most energy efficient in their category, will cost less to run and help prevent climate change.
Turning your thermostat down by one degree Centrigrade could cut your heating bills by up to 10%, saving you around ã55 a year.
A thick insulating jacket for your hot water tank costs around ã12 and could pay for itself in under a year. Insulating the hot water pipes, especially those between the boiler and the hot water cylinder, can save you an extra ã10 a year.
To find out about energy saving recommended boilers and heating controls from the Energy Saving Trust click here
To find out more about condensing boilers and heating controls from the Energy Saving Trust click here
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Tracey Todhunter
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