Do you know how efficient your boiler is?

One of the ways you can avoid high energy bills is to make sure your boiler is running as efficiently as possible.

A boiler’s efficiency is the percentage of the total energy used by the boiler to provide useful heating. For example, a boiler which is 94% efficient will have 94% of the energy used going towards heating the home and only 6% is ‘lost’.

Modern condensing boilers are potentially 89-94% efficient whereas a boiler that is more than 20 years old can be as little as 60% efficient.

You may have seen efficiency ratings of A-G on other domestic appliances and boilers are the same. Modern boilers must be A rated and this will be shown on their literature.

• A: 90% and above

• B: 86-90%

• C: 82-86%

• D: 78-82%

• E: 74-78%

• F: 70-74%

• G: below 70%

As a guide for older boilers, you’ll find the following:

Check how energy efficient your boiler is

1. Look for the energy efficiency sticker: newer boilers should have a sticker on them, or somewhere in the information pack you were given when you had your boiler fitted which will tell you the rating of your boiler.

2. Find the model number: if you can’t find the sticker/don’t have one, there may be a plate with the brand name and exact model number of your boiler.

3. Use the Product Characteristics Database: most boilers are on this database, and if you have your brand name and model number, you can find your boiler’s rating.

Ways to increase your boiler efficiency

• Schedule a boiler service: having regular check-ups helps to keep your boiler running at its best, prevents unexpected issues and prolongs the lifespan of your boiler.

• Maintain your radiator and pipes: by bleeding your radiators, you’ll release any air trapped inside, allowing the full surface area of the radiator to provide heat and improving the heat efficiency of your system.

• Upgrade your boiler: if your boiler is over 10 years old, it may be time to start considering swapping to a new, more energy efficient model. According to information from The Energy Saving Trust, you could save between £100 – £200 a year in heating costs. The older a boiler gets, the more expensive it may be to repair and most home emergency policies won’t cover a boiler older than 15.

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