Issue 10 - High Efficiency Condensing Boilers

Issue Date : 7th July 2009

Welcome back to the Newry Democrat’s Renewables and Energy saving section brought to you by Kellys Renewable Energy Solutions (www.kellys.uk.com).  This week we will look at high efficiency condensing boilers compared to conventional boilers. Most existing houses have a standard conventional oil or gas boiler with efficiencies as low as 55%.

A condensing boiler has a larger heat exchanger within the boiler compared to a conventional boiler. What this means is that the water returning from the heating system in your house (radiators, under-floor heating, domestic hot water, etc) is used to cool the flue gases/emissions, extracting extra heat for your heating system which is normally lost through the flue. These boilers are often known as high efficiency boilers.

Condensing boilers work best with lower system water temperatures (under-floor heating systems), but even with normal radiator temperatures from 65-80⁰C, the efficiency will be significantly greater than a conventional boiler, meaning the extra cost of the boiler is soon recovered in the saving in fuel costs, after which you continue to save money and reduce carbon emissions.

If your boiler is 15 years old or more then it may be a G rated boiler. You can find out the rating of your boiler by checking the list on the SEDBUK website (www.sedbuk.com). “Replacing an old G rated boiler with a new A rated condensing boiler and a full set of heating controls can save up to a quarter on your heating bills straight away and up to 1,300kg of CO2 year”. (Ref: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk)

At Kellys we supply oil and gas high efficiency condensing boilers which are band A, SEDBUK rated. When improving or renovating your home, we would advise that replacing your existing boiler with a condensing boiler and reducing heat loss through extra insulation and air tightness measures you will generate significant annual savings.

Contact us for more information.