With energy costs continuing their upward trend throughout the UK, homeowners are turning their eyes to condensing boiler efficiency as the innovative solution which can save hundreds of pounds annually and heat your home efficiently.
If you are looking at a new heating system replacement, then you are in the right place. This blog will take you through everything you need to know regarding condensing boiler efficiency versus conventional systems and most importantly how the ECO4 scheme might upgrade your older boiler free of charge. At ECO Boiler Grants, we have assisted thousands of UK homeowners with boiler replacement, and we’re here to explain why this can be the right decision for you to make in your home.
What Makes Condensing Boilers So Efficient
When looking to understand where condensing boiler efficiency begins with being knowledgeable about the cutting-edge technology that characterizes the systems in relation to their earlier counterparts. The difference between condensing and non condensing boilers is huge. Unlike conventional boilers, which waste valuable heat energy via the flu, condensing boilers have the capacity to recover and recycle heat wasted to the air.
At the heart of efficiency in condensing boilers lies a sophisticated dual heat exchange system. Every time fuel burns in your boiler, it produces hot gases containing water vapour. In a typical system, they would just be expelled outside at about 400°F, carrying useful heat energy away with them. Condensing boilers on the other hand, have a second heat exchanger which condenses these exhaust gases to about 55°C, at which point water vapour re-combines into liquid form.
This process of condensation is the secret behind its high efficiency. When water vapour re-evaporates, it emits latent heat of evaporation, this energy that would otherwise have been wasted. This regained energy is utilized to preheat the water coming back to your boiler, effectively increasing overall efficiency.Â
The benefit? Condensing boilers today can be up to 98% efficient, as opposed to the considerable 70-80% for conventional systems, with older boilers having even lower efficiency ratings. What that means is that 98% of what you are paying goes to warming your home, as opposed to the loss that occurs with a lower efficiency. The non condensing boiler efficiency, which usually stands at 70%, means for every pound you pay, 30 pence goes to waste. What is a non condensing boiler lack of efficiency will always be answered in their age, as most new boilers utilize the vital condensing technology.Â
Key Components That Contribute to Efficiency
A number of technological advances are combined to achieve the highest condensing boiler efficiency. The first is high-tech heat exchangers. Advanced condensing boilers possess more sophisticated and larger heat exchangers constructed from corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel. These are designed to maximize the surface area where the heat exchange can occur to guarantee maximum energy recuperation.
The second important technology is the smart controls. New condensing boilers possess sophisticated control systems which regulate flow temperature automatically depending on external conditions. The boiler’s operation is thus in condensing mode for as extended a duration as possible, at maximum efficiency.
The final vital technology is the modulating burner. In contrast to the older boilers that use full power or none, new condensing boilers are able to modulate their output exactly to the needs of your home. This prevents energy waste and gives you consistent levels of comfort.
Ready to learn how much you can save with a high-efficiency condensing boiler? See if you are eligible for ECO4 funding and begin saving significantly on your energy bill. Fill in our 1-minute eligibility form and one of the team members will be in touch with you in less than 24 hours! Â
Condensing vs Non Condensing Boiler: How Much Can You Save on Your Energy Bills?
One of the strongest arguments when looking at the condensing boiler vs non condensing boiler is the instant effect it can have on your energy bills. The savings are not hypothetical, millions of UK homeowners are experiencing real, quantifiable savings on their heating bill, which is the reason behind their huge popularity, with condensing combi boilers continuing to be the most popular heating system in the UK. Check your eligibility for a new efficient condensing combi boiler by filling in our 1-minute eligibility checker.Â
The amount of savings you can get from a condensing boiler will also depend on what you are replacing and how big your house is. Are condensing boilers more efficient? Yes, but you need to take into account what size boiler you are installing and if you have efficient insulation. Recent industry reports indicate UK householders can look forward to substantial annual savings, with savings reaching £508 per year on average, with detached homes gaining by up to £840 per year.
Other Cost Benefits
Besides outright energy saving, there are several other cost advantages of a condensing boiler. Condensing boilers generally have lower maintenance costs. Condensing boilers today are more durable and are backed by longer guarantees, lowering repair costs.
ECO Boiler Grants only installs the best quality systems and materials, ensuring you long term comfort and assurance of a durable system. If you qualify for the ECO4 scheme, ECO Boiler Grants will install premium brands like Worcester Bosch, and will help provide you with long term warranties that exceed 10 years to secure you over the long-term.
Another cost benefit is the increased property value. New efficient heating systems increase your property’s worth and make it more desirable to prospective purchasers. It will also drive your property to a higher EPC rating. Replacing your old boiler with a condensing boiler can enhance the Energy Performance Certificate rating of your home, which is becoming more valuable for resale purposes as well as for rental requirements.
Understand Your Return on Investment
Although the new condensing boiler itself is approximately £2,250-£2,597, payback makes this worthwhile investment:
- G-rated to A-rated replacements: Pay for themselves in approximately 3-4.5 years from saved energy alone over their life
- F-rated to A-rated replacements: Generally pay off between 5-6 years
- D-rated to A-rated replacements: Generally pay for themselves in 6-8 years
The Unseen Expenses of Keeping Your Present Boiler
The majority of homeowners postpone boiler replacement since their existing system still functions. However, this strategy is significantly more expensive than replacement, especially if you factor in the declining efficiency of older equipment. Boilers initially beginning with an 80% efficiency rate tend to degrade to 60-70% efficiency after 15 years through wear and tear, component deterioration, and sediment buildup.
The rising repair bills is another concern. Older boilers become more and more unreliable, with repair bills increasing as components become worn out. Replacement spares for older systems are becoming harder to find and more expensive, and emergency winter repairs cost a small fortune.
The last point to consider is the environmental impact. Older boilers emit much more carbon per unit of heat produced, unnecessarily adding to your carbon footprint.
The ECO4 Scheme
The ECO4 scheme is one of the most important initiatives by the UK government to increase energy efficiency in UK homes and to end fuel poverty. To homeowners facing rising energy bills and in-efficient heating, this initiative provides a real lifeline, and it can be your way to a brand-new condensing boiler installed for free.
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme that started in April 2022 and lasts until March 2026, offers £1 billion every year in non-repayable funding. It’s not a loan programme but essentially free financing meant to assist UK homes in cutting carbon emissions as well as energy bills and making properties more healthier and warmer.
Even if they are not eligible through the ECO4 scheme, you can still get free heating upgrades through the LA Flex scheme, which offers more flexible eligibility to homeowners who need financial assistance to upgrade their heating. Homeowners who have health issues that deteriorate because of colder homes can now apply through the LA Flex scheme. Contact us to learn more.
The ECO4 scheme is where the upgrade becomes all the more attractive. With the ECO4 initiative, qualifying UK homeowners are offered finance for condensing boiler upgrades, at no additional cost to them. The government-backed program focuses on homes with older, less efficient heating systems, so high-efficiency condensing boilers are made accessible to the residents most in need of them.
All our ECO4 installations are performed by professional Gas Safe registered installers for proper fitting and maximum efficiency.
The ECO4 scheme takes a whole house approach. That means that improvements are made to the whole house; The scheme sometimes covers other efficiency improvements such as insulation and radiators, leaving your home as efficient as possible with a higher EPC rating.
Why Choose ECO Boiler Grants for Your Heating Upgrade
When it comes to ECO4 heating upgrades, your energy supplier can be the difference between a quick, professional process or months of stress. At ECO Boiler Grants, we’ve established a reputation for delivering outstanding results for UK homeowners time and again, with technical know-how supported by an unwavering commitment to customers’ best interests.
ECO Boiler Grants has effectively assisted thousands of British homeowners to improve the heating in their homes for free via numerous government initiatives. Our installers’ history covers the entire life cycle of energy efficiency schemes, and thus, we have a specific understanding of what is effective for homeowners with various property types and living conditions.
Our long-standing relationships mean we have faster and more streamlined access to ECO4 funding than many other businesses, minimizing delays for customers. Contact us or fill in our eligibility checker and start saving today!
