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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Our boiler is 20 years old, is it worth replacing to save energy?
Q: Do I need to have a condensing gas boiler installed?
Q: Are condensing boilers over complicated and unreliable?
Q: Should I replace my conventional boiler with a combination boiler?
Q: Is a combination boiler more efficient than a conventional boiler?

Q: Our boiler is 20 years old, is it worth replacing to save energy?

A: Yes. Old boilers are likely to be between 60 and 70 per cent efficient, whereas a modern condensing boiler can achieve efficiencies of over 90 per cent. They can help you save up to a third on your heating bills and even more if you upgrade to modern controls. A combi version could also reduce your hot water costs and provide you with more space as a hot water cylinder is not required.

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Q: Do I need to have a condensing gas boiler installed?

A: Yes. Building Regulations have introduced minimum standards for all new and existing homes to help reduce the carbon dioxide emissions. This includes all central heating systems and whenever a new boiler is fitted it must achieve an A or B energy rating. This is similar to the rating schemes for washing machines and fridges where an A rating is the most energy efficient.

Condensing gas boilers are very efficient in comparison with older boilers. Typically, an A rated condensing gas boiler will use a third less fuel than older boilers whilst providing the same amount of heat. This could mean an equivalent saving on heating bills and carbon dioxide emissions.
Modern A rated boilers are at least 90 per cent efficient and B rated boilers achieve between 86-90 per cent efficiency rates.

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Q: Are condensing boilers over complicated and unreliable?

A: No. It’s fair to say that in the past some condensing boilers have been unreliable but these days boiler manufacturers make more condensing boilers than any other type and they simply would go out of business if this was still the case.

The essential difference between a standard boiler and a condensing boiler is a larger heat exchanger, which is basically a large piece of aluminium or stainless steel. When the flue gases cool, water condenses inside the boiler and that needs to be drained away. The process isn’t overly complicated as long as the boiler is fitted properly.

For boilers to be very efficient they require some fairly sophisticated controls and this is where problems are more likely to occur. However, most boilers, not just condensing ones, use electronic circuitry. There is no reason why a condensing boiler should be any less reliable than any other type of boiler. Just about every boiler that’s replaced now is a condensing one and they will reduce your fuel bills considerably.

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Q: Should I replace my conventional boiler with a combination boiler?

A: There are many benefits associated with combination (combi) boilers including instantaneous hot water whenever you turn the tap on, and plenty of heat for your home. A combi boiler has two key components, a conventional boiler and a water heater which produces hot water when you need it. Furthermore, as you don't need a water cylinder in your airing cupboard you will have more storage space. However, if the combi boiler breaks down you may be without both hot water and heating until it can be fixed. Additionally, hot water from combi boilers flows more slowly so you may notice that your bath takes longer to fill.

Most combi boilers will provide more than enough hot water and heating for the majority of homes, but if you have a large property with many bathrooms you may find it better to stay with the conventional set up.

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Q: Is a combination boiler more efficient than a conventional boiler?

A: A combination boiler can be more efficient than a regular boiler because of the way it supplies your home with hot water. Conventional boilers produce the hot water which is then stored either in a cylinder or tank for use at a later stage and although this is done quite efficiently, if the hot water is not used immediately some of that heat will be wasted. This reduces the overall efficiency.

On the other hand, with combination boilers there's no need to store the hot water. When a hot tap is opened, the boiler senses the flow of water and immediately switches on to heat it. Although there may be a short delay before you get a steady flow of hot water, it is produced efficiently and when you turn the tap off the boiler switches off. The only heat lost is from the hot water left in the pipes, but that is the same for both boilers.

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