According to the Energy Saving Trust, boilers account for 55% of the average UK consumer spend on energy each year. However, this figure could be even higher if your old boiler is energy munching, with a terrible energy efficiency rating.
By replacing an old gas boiler with an A-rated condenser boiler, you could save as much as £310 per year, not to be sniffed at if your finances are anything like mine. By replacing your boiler, you will also be cutting down on your home’s carbon dioxide emissions.
Why choose to upgrade?
It’s all very well saying that you can’t afford to upgrade your boiler, but you have to look at the bigger picture. If you have an older boiler, that’s not a modern condenser, then it’s likely to be burning fuel less efficiently than it could and this means it’s costing you more money.
Saving money in the short term by not replacing an old boiler is a false economy, as you will spend out more in the long term. A condensing boiler has a bigger heat exchanger, so it recovers more heat and sends colder gases up the flue, making it more efficient.
It doesn’t apply to me, I rent
Not only homeowners can think about having a new boiler installed and those who are hard up can actually get help with having an old one replaced. The Affordable Warmth scheme is available to tenants, landlords and homeowners in receipt of certain benefits.
These include:
Pension credits
Working tax credits
Child tax credits
Income support
Jobseekers allowance
However, even if you don’t qualify, approved vendors often have low-cost payment schemes where you can pay monthly or weekly to suit your budget. If you do qualify, then make sure you look into cavity wall and loft insulation to get your bills right down at the same time.
Given the state of the British summer this year, it’s a good bet that you’ll only have the heating off for a small proportion of the year, so now’s as good a time as any to begin saving.
Choosing a boiler installation company
Not all firms are created equally when it comes to the service they offer for boiler replacement. Bearing this in mind, it’s a good idea to ask around for a local company with a great reputation and credibility.
When it comes to having a boiler fitted, you really can’t afford to take chances so ensure that all plumbers are Corgi registered and have a delve around some forums to see what others are saying about them.
It’s recommended that you go to the competent person website, SNIPEF or help-link.co.uk for a list of registered installers. For oil boilers try to use an OFTEC registered installer, details of these can be found on the website.
To avoid meeting any installers that are not registered, or perhaps don’t have the required level of expertise, consider the following:
Are they easy to contact, is there a local office for the contractor?
How long has the installer been in business?
Do they have customer testimonials that you can check out?
Contact and length of business is important here, as you will need to get in touch with them for warranty or in the event of an emergency. For those that haven’t been in business for long, then it’s a shame but unfortunately in this field, reputation really is important.
Getting quotes
Aim to get three quotes from different suppliers and whilst requesting, take the time to speak to the installer and gain their advice. A good vendor will be only too happy to go through the best options for you.
Quotations should include the following information:
Design conditions and temperatures, including for each room
The work being carried out (is it a new boiler or an extension to an existing one)
Make, model and location of the boiler, including heat output KW
Flue type and whether a new is being supplied or the old one reused
Fuel storage, if applicable
Ventilation
Wiring
Location of sensors and thermostat controls
Building work to be carried out
Guarantee details
Contractual advice
Qualifications held
Often, qualifications are included by default on vendor estimates, if this information is missing though, proceed with caution.
The great British weather is getting worse it seems, winter by winter and even in the spring and summer months and with the cost of fuel being at an all-time high, you could save substantial sums every year by replacing your boiler.
Is Your Boiler Costing Too Much? is a post from: Beating Broke, if you enjoy it, please visit us and subscribe to the Feed.