Plumbing
There is a lot to consider when it comes to buying a new boiler. Boiler installations can be complicated, not to mention expensive. You don’t buy a replacement boiler or central heating system every day: it’s a serious investment, and we appreciate that.
That’s why we think it’s important you have as much information as possible about all the gas boilers and central heating systems that Alba Heating ltd install to help you make the best decision for you & your home.
We have the experience to advise which boiler will be best suited to your needs. We work with budget installers where the price of a new boiler is a concern and market leaders to make sure you get a great boiler deal that is tailored to your home’s needs.
Edi knows all there is to know about boilers. He’ll talk you through the whole process of installing your boiler, in language that’s easy to understand, and he’ll leave your home clean and tidy once the job’s done.
Did you know heating your home during the winter could account for up to 60% of your energy bills? If your boiler isn’t energy efficient, this percentage could conceivably be even higher.
Having a more energy efficient boiler can be useful in lowering your energy costs as well as your carbon footprint. If you want to get an insight into your current boilers efficiency and the costs associated with a new boiler talk to us
It is important to understand how efficient your boiler is
You could be saving money on your heating costs by working out how efficient your boiler is and making any necessary changes.
The efficiency of your boiler can be determined by its age. The newer the system, the more efficient it is likely to be. And if it’s energy efficient it’s likely to be saving you money, as well as reducing your carbon footprint.
If your boiler was installed in 2010 or later, then you can be fairly sure that it’s suitably efficient – as long as it has been serviced during that time.
By law, all new boilers installed in or after October 2010 must achieve an A-grade for energy efficiency, or be rated as at least 88% efficient.
Maintaining your boiler
A number of tests will be conducted on your boiler to ensure that it’s working efficiently and within the manufacturer’s operating range. If it it’s working at a high level of performance, you can be sure that it’s as energy efficient as it should be.
The best time for you to have your boiler tested is during summer, when checks can be conducted to see if there is any damage, in preparation for the colder months. Naturally, when the weather cools you’ll want to be sure your boiler is burning at optimum efficiency.
Will you save with an energy efficient boiler?
Research on the Energy saving Trust shows that having an efficient boiler you could save on your annual bills up to £215
What is a Combi boiler?
We have seen that more people are switching to Combi boilers which control the whole central heating system directly from one, compact unit.
Combi boilers are a great option for most homes as they come in a range of sizes & outputs. With this type of boiler you can save much more space than you would with a regular boiler as there is no need for an external water cylinder or water tank. They have great advantage of Combi boilers is that they give you instant & unlimited access to hot water, as you don’t have to wait for a water cylinder to heat.
Combi boilers are also known as an energy efficient option as all modern Combi boilers are condensing so they use much more of the energy they produce and less is wasted. Condensing boilers make more use of the energy supplied by extracting heat from flue gasses that would have otherwise been lost by a non-condensing boiler. Combi boilers are usually quicker & cheaper to install, since there’s no requirement for a water cylinder less pipe work is needed.
How do Combi boilers work?
Combi boilers work by having one compact system heating both your hot water and radiators so there is no need to have an additional external cold-water tank or hot water cylinder. Combi boilers provide instant hot water, by constantly being on standby when there is no water demand. As soon as you turn the hot water tap, the boiler will kick in and the water will become hot very quickly. When the request for hot water is trigged by someone turning on the hot tap, this signals the boiler to start heating water inside of the system. The heat exchanger transfers the majority of the heat from the burnt gas inside the boiler to the cold water, and then delivers it to the taps as required.
What is the best Combi boiler for me?
There is a wide choice of Combi boilers available with a range of brands available. Recommending the right boiler will largely depend on your home and needs. If you have a lower demand for hot water or a smaller home then a boiler with a lower output might be most suitable. The higher your hot water demands are, the higher the output of boiler you will need. As a general guide you can learn what the best Combi boiler is for you by considering what your needs are based on size, price and performance.
Size
The size of your home will have a huge impact when determining what the best Combi boiler is for you. Combi boilers are a great choice for a wide range of homes in the UK as they are powerful enough to deliver large amounts of instant hot water. However, if you have a very large home with a high demand for hot water then a Combi boiler may not be a suitable option.
Performance
Different boilers have different performance levels based the home they are heating. If you have a small home, the best Combi boiler may be one with a lower output. Because the house is smaller, the demands on the boiler for heating and hot water will be less. In the same way if you have a larger home, you may require a boiler with a larger output as it will need to deliver a more powerful performance in order to supply the demand required.
If you’re not sure what the best Combi boiler is for you then let us help you to choose. With nearly 20 years of boiler installation experience you can trust us to recommend the right boiler for you,