Monday, January 24, 2011

Updating Your Boiler

By Paul Myers


Don't be left in the cold this winter. Make sure that your boiler is working and running efficiently now. New Building Regulations and a Code for Sustainable Homes has meant that many of the large range of boilers available are unsuitable for homes in Britain. All boilers are now required to be either Condensing boilers or high efficiency boilers.

The most energy efficient boilers are considered to be Condensing boilers. These recover heat from gas energy that is input into the heating system, by collecting the vapours which are created when flue gases in the system begin to cool. The boilers are also good for the environment as they are at their most efficient at low temperatures. Because of this they can be fully functioning at all times, providing heat and hot water at the moment it is needed.

Your home will more than probably feature a Combination, or "Combi" boiler. They are the most commonly used boilers in the UK as they have a number of advantages. Hybrid versions of the boiler care currently being developed which will have water storage within the casing of the boiler. Though traditional Combi boilers have no heat storage facility they are great for their space saving abilities as they are so compact. To ensure that your boiler is efficient you should choose one with a SEDBUK A or B rating.

System boilers have all the benefits of combis but tend to provide a higher output capacity which is used predominantly for central heating. Open vent boilers can save large amounts of space as they are usually located in the loft, and work by pressurising a high level cold water tank.

Rather than natural gas, many boilers are now being commissioned to run on solar power. Many boilers can now run in conjunction with solar panels and use gas as a secondary reserve.




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