How to get the Best out of your Condensing Boiler
Getting the very best out of your boiler is a priority for any home owner.
Firstly, which boiler do you have? There are a number of boilers that currently operate in U.K homes: conventional, combi, condensing and back boiler.
The condensing boiler is the most energy efficient boiler around.
They are more efficient because they use two heat exchangers (which take the heat from the burning of the fuel and passes it into the water), as opposed to one used in conventional boilers. The second heat exchanger in a condensing boiler captures the heat in the flue gases. And this greater efficiency leads to the boilers great pro: less fuel (reduced costs) and less carbon dioxide (better for the environment).
So, if they are that efficient, why is every boiler not a condensing boiler? Simply, the extra efficiency causes its own problems.
And here come the cons.
Firstly, the by-product of capturing the exhaust gases is a large amount of liquid which has to be removed from the boiler using pipes and drains. Secondly, the flue cannot work as with a conventional boiler, as the vapour is too cool to escape by itself and a fan has to be installed to help with the extraction. Thirdly, you have the expense of not only a second heat exchanger, but one that, because of the lower temperatures involved, has to be larger.
All this requires extra cost and therein lies the difficulty with condensing boilers. They may well be more efficient, but the cost savings as weighed against the purchase price, does put a lot of people off.
But, with all boilers, it’s essential to operate them at maximum efficiency.
And one area that needs attention is the setting of the boiler and room thermostats.
A boiler thermostat is fitted to ensure that the water being circulated around the pipes is at the right temperature. Most boilers give you the choice between High, for the winter months, and Low, for the summer months. Check periodically to make sure you are on the correct setting, otherwise you will be wasting a lot of energy.
If you have a room thermostat, this handy device allows you to set a desired temperature. If the temperature rises above your setting, the heating will turn off; likewise, if it falls below your setting, it will turn on.
When you turn it down and hear the familiar click, the heating will turn off. Click it on again and you can then set the level of heating, by working the boiler harder.
But bear in mind a few things. The thermostat will take its reading from where it’s situated. Put it in a cold hall, or next to a draught, and it will be forever working the boiler hard to maintain the temperature, while other rooms become too hot. Likewise, don’t position it somewhere too hot, when it will be always turning the heating off and leaving other rooms cold.
There are ideal settings for most houses. Between 18C and 21C is a comfortable setting for most people; around 21C is better for pensioners and young children.
And once you’ve got your thermostats figured out, don’t forget that your boiler needs an annual service. This not only helps your wallet by making sure your boiler is being as energy efficient as its designed to be, it also keeps you and your family safe. Old, ill-equipped, or under serviced boilers are potential death hazards; its simply not worth the risk.
Choose a reputable firm to service your boiler, such as British Gas.
They, like all good firms, should ensure that a number of key tasks are undertaken during the service. This includes the break-down, checking and cleaning of the boiler’s main components. Pipework should be checked. Also checks that the ventilation is adequate. The output from the flue should be analysed and finally, any component faulty, or not likely to last until the next service, should be replaced.
A boiler service should cost anything in the region of between £50 and £150, although this does not include the replacement of any components that might be necessary, such as a new heat exchanger, which could cost from £150 to £300.
So remember, keep an eye on your boiler: make sure your thermostats are properly set and make sure you give it an annual service.
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