| If you live in a climate with cold winters, your | | | | heating surveys, and they can tell you how much |
| central heating boiler is by far the most | | | | you will save and exactly how much the |
| energy-hungry appliance in the house. A boiler in | | | | installation of a new boiler will cost. You can easily |
| the average UK home burns over £500 worth a | | | | sign up for a survey on-line, through a web-site |
| gas each year, and is responsible for emitting | | | | such as Downwithco2.co.uk. |
| almost 4 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the | | | | Before you finally choose your new boiler you |
| atmosphere. As high energy prices hit | | | | should think about a few things: |
| householders in the pocket, and more and more | | | | - How big a boiler do you need? How much hot |
| people are becoming concerned about Climate | | | | water can satisfy the needs of your household? |
| Change (caused by the burning of fossil fuels like | | | | - Even though condensing boilers are the most |
| gas), many people are finding that it makes sense | | | | expensive, they are more efficient than other |
| to install a new boiler. | | | | boiler types and in the long term, could save you |
| Older boilers waste heat and money every time | | | | the most money. |
| they fire up. This is because a lot of the heat that | | | | - What will the boiler be used for? Will it be used |
| is generated from burning the gas is lost up the | | | | for space heating, or just hot water? |
| chimney or flue. Modern boilers are much more | | | | - What type of fuel do you have available? Wood, |
| efficient because they recover and recycle a lot | | | | Natural Gas, Fuel oil? |
| of this heat, and so need to use less gas. This can | | | | - After the boiler has been installed, who will take |
| save you up to 40% or £200 a year off the | | | | care of it? Many companies offer maintenance |
| average UK gas bill. | | | | contracts, and often these are a good idea. |
| The most efficient type of boiler is a Condensing | | | | When thinking about a new boiler, you should |
| Boiler, which now achieves almost 90% efficiency | | | | always make sure you are dealing with a |
| on the fuel it burns, far higher than older boilers. | | | | reputable and qualified firm. Installers should be |
| They normally cost a bit more than other types | | | | registered with an official organisation. This is |
| of boiler up front, but save a lot of money in the | | | | especially true with gas boilers; in the UK you |
| long run because you spend less on fuel. The | | | | should always make sure your gas boiler installer |
| most common alternative is called a Combination | | | | is ‘CORGI’ registered. |
| Boiler, which activates on demand, which means | | | | In some countries like the UK, a new boiler can |
| less wasted energy and no need for water tanks | | | | make even more financial sense because the |
| or cylinders. Although not as energy efficient (at | | | | government subsidises their installation, in order to |
| 75% efficiency) or cost efficient as the | | | | promote energy efficiency. Your installer should be |
| condensing boiler, combination boilers do require | | | | able to tell you about these subsidies, which apply |
| less of an upfront investment. Most organizations | | | | to almost everyone in the UK, especially older |
| recommend that people choose a condensing | | | | people who qualify for even more money off a |
| boiler, and indeed building regulations in some | | | | new boiler. |
| countries now make this obligatory. | | | | Finally, if you want to save energy and money |
| How do you know if you would benefit from a | | | | off your heating bills, you should also think about |
| new boiler? If your boiler is old, especially if it is 10 | | | | having your home properly insulated if you |
| years or older, a new boiler could well make great | | | | haven’t already. This is now very good value, |
| sense. But you don’t need to try to work this | | | | and pays back the up-front investment in under 2 |
| out yourself. Many large, reputable heating | | | | years. Further information can be found at |
| companies offer free, no obligation boiler and | | | | downwithco2.co. |