| Central heating systems have come a long way in | | | | and less energy needs to be used. There are two |
| the last twenty years, and now there are | | | | types of condensing boilers available, combination |
| different systems which are suited to different | | | | and regular, and each has its advantages and |
| houses. The majority of homes that had central | | | | disadvantages. Combination condensing boilers |
| heating installed before 1990 were given oversized | | | | heat the water as you use it, so there is no need |
| boilers, the reason being that bigger was better | | | | for a water tank, whereas regular condensing |
| than smaller, so people would rather be too warm | | | | boilers use a hot water cylinder to heat up water. |
| than too cold. Nowadays central heating systems | | | | For this reason combination condensing boilers are |
| can be tailored to operate at just the right level | | | | generally smaller and better suited to small |
| so that no energy is wasted, which saves money | | | | households. |
| on energy bills and helps the environment. With | | | | Central heating systems do need regular |
| advances in thermostats you can now set the | | | | maintenance to keep them running smoothly, and |
| time you want your radiators to turn off and on | | | | this is not a difficult thing to do yourself. Try to |
| and set their temperature down to the degree. | | | | drain the system every year, and the best way |
| For anyone with a pre-1990 central heating | | | | to do this is to put a bucket under the drain valve |
| system, you should be advised how much more | | | | and carefully open it up so that the dirt and air |
| efficient a new system is, and the moral and | | | | can be released along with the water. Often |
| financial benefits it could have. | | | | people will keep their central heating turned off all |
| High efficiency condensing boilers are commonly | | | | summer, and then when winter kicks in switch it |
| installed with new central heating systems | | | | on. This is not a good thing to do, and you should |
| nowadays because they minimise energy waste. | | | | try to start using the system regularly in the |
| Condensing boilers do not release the steam that | | | | months before you need it everyday. This will |
| is made when water is heated up, whereas old | | | | give you time to check for any problems and get |
| boilers would expel it through the flue. Instead, | | | | them fixed before you need to use the central |
| condensing boilers capture the water vapour and | | | | heating during winter, which is the plumbers |
| turn it back into liquid water, so no energy is lost | | | | busiest time of year. |