In recent years it has become more apparent that we need to take greater care of our environment. This is due to the fact that greenhouse gases and extreme weather conditions are all contributing to global warming and some drastic changes in the way we live needs to be done.
It should be noted that an estimated 25% of the UK's carbon emissions are coming from our own homes. An astonishing 70% of these emissions come from the energy we use to provide heat and hot water. So what can be done to change this? Installing high efficiency boilers could well be the answer. High efficiency boilers are much better for the environment than conventional boilers. For a start, they are 90% more efficient, meaning that over 90% of gas consumed when the burner is firing is converted into heat for the heating and hot water system.
If we compare this to many of the older boilers, it will be found that the older boilers operate at a 70-75% efficiency, some even being as low as 50%. Therefore, the older boilers have much more of a negative impact on the environment in comparison to high efficiency boilers.
Therefore if you are faced with a choice to either repair or replace your boiler system, you will need to think about a number of factors. If you have the correct information, then you should be able to make a well-informed decision based on your individual circumstances.
The first point for consideration for most people before they decide to make a purchase is cost. It is true that most home-owners are deterred from installing a high efficiency boiler due to the high installation charges and the cost of the appliance. They find it more practical sometimes to just spend a little extra to repair the boiler rather than replacing the whole thing. However, the long-term benefits are often overlooked in these scenarios. For instance, it is fine to use the option of repairing if your boiler is not that old. But what if your boiler is really old and has continuously given you problems? If you keep repairing the same boiler, you may end up spending more money in the long run in comparison to just purchasing a new high efficiency boiler.
As well as saving money on fuel bills, installing a high efficiency boiler will mean that you would be helping the government's target of reducing carbon emissions by 20% by 2010.
How much money is it possible to save?
It has been reported that using a high efficiency boiler with heating controls could save you between 190 and 240 a year or around one third of your heating bills straight away. Furthermore, if you manage to install the correct heating controls, you could potentially save up to 40% of your bills.
The average lifespan of a boiler is 10-15 years. If you feel the timer is finally running out for your boiler, it is advisable to shop around for a new high efficiency boiler.
