All types of boilers come in Condensing models. A condensing boiler is more efficient as it utilises more of the heat generated to heat water. This is done by a complex burning mechanism inside the boiler, that after burning the gas, the boiler cools the residual heat to a vapour or condensation. This condensation will still be hot, so the boiler maximises this heat too, instead of losing it straight away through the flue. As a consequence the boiler produces more condensation. This will need to be piped away, normally outside and into your waste water system, something that old boilers didn't have to worry about.
For this reason they're a little more complicated to install and when you replace your old boiler the installer may not be able to replace it in the same position.
Installing a condensing boiler can save on your fuel bill as Condensing boilers are up to 90% efficient, therefore for every £1 you spend on your fuel bill, your boiler will have been effective at providing you with 90p of useful heating and hot water, with 10p being wasted. An old non condensing boiler is typically 55% efficient, therefore wasting 45p in every £1 you spend on your gas or oil fuel bill.
If you don't have a condensing boiler and it was fitted before 2005 don't worry you can still use it. However a new boiler could save you money on your gas bills and help the environment.
That Cylinder, often found in an airing cupboard or sometimes in the loft is your home’s store of hot water. Either through your boiler or an immersion heater water gets heated here and stored for use.
Boilers come in 2 forms:
- a 'Combi' boiler that provides both heated water for your radiators and hot water for your taps
- a 'System' or ‘Open Vent' boiler provides heated water for your radiators and is connected to a hot water cylinder to provide your hot water to your taps
Typically boilers burn gas or oil to heat water, Modern boilers known as ‘condensing boilers', do this in the most efficient way possible. The types of boilers described above are available in ‘condensing' forms e.g. Combi condensing boiler, System condensing boiler and Open Vent Condensing boiler.
Since 2005 (2007 for oil) all new domestic boilers installed in the UK have to be Condensing. This is because they are more efficient and burn less gas to produce heat.
If you have a 25 year old boiler that clanks away in a cupboard somewhere, don't worry the Boiler police won't be coming around to confiscate it. However you could be saving money on your fuel bills (up to 35%) by getting it changed, not to mention helping the environment as condensing boilers are more efficient.