How do I know if my boiler is energy efficient?
Household energy efficiency is crucial factor in determining the cost to heat the property. This is especially important to monitor in the run-up to winter when outside temperatures start to drop. As the boiler supplies your home with hot water for outlets and central heating, any inefficiencies in the unit can have a detrimental effect on heating efficiency throughout the home. Similarly, an energy efficient boiler can result in significant cost savings. In this post, we detail how to tell if your home boiler is efficient or not.
How to tell if you have an efficient boiler
When we talk about energy efficiency for boilers, this concerns the total amount of energy used by the unit to produce heat. No boiler system will be 100% efficient, as some energy is required for internal operations and some is lost to the surroundings. Most modern boilers will have a ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) sticker which describes the efficiency of the unit. Typically, this will include a rating from A-G which relates to energy efficiency in the following way:
- A = 90% and above.
- B = 86-90%.
- C = 82-86%.
- D = 78-82%.
- E = 74-78%.
- F = 70-74%.
- G = 70% and below.
If you have an older boiler model that doesn’t have a boiler efficiency rating, or the sticker has simply been lost, you can search the model number. In most cases, this can be found in the manual or on the front panel. You can then find the rating by inputting the information into the PCDC database.
Tips for improving boiler efficiency
It is common for boilers to degrade over time, losing efficiency as a result. However, this can be costly for homeowners which is why it’s important to conduct regular assessments to gauge whether your boiler is efficient. If not, you can do the following to improve its rating over time, instead of forking out for a brand new unit.
An annual boiler service is often required as part of their warranty, although this is also recommended to keep the system running efficiently. Without maintenance checks, dirt and debris can build up within the boiler and cause problems. For example, limescale build up can lead to pipe blockages, stuck diverter valves, or a host of other issues. These inspections also serve to reveal any boiler parts in need of replacement.
One of the key aspects of boiler maintenance is checking the boiler pressure. If the reading is too high or too low (outside of the 1-1.5 bars range), it’s often an indication of boiler inefficiency. Read our guide on how to repressurise a boiler using a boiler filling key.
Installing an accurate programmable thermostat allows you to set the boiler temperature to change at different times of the day. As a result, the boiler is only using energy when it’s necessary. This leads to more efficient energy use, while keeping your home warm when you need it most.
Over time, it’s common for air to build up within the central heating system, which can disrupt the function of the boiler in providing hot water throughout the property. Bleeding the radiators is a relatively simple process.
If your home has poor insulation, this can cause it to lose heat quickly. The boiler will then be forced to work harder to maintain the desired temperature. By improving insulation in key areas, such as the walls, roof, and floors, the boiler will require less energy to heat the property day-to-day. Upgrading insulation also helps to protect your boiler efficiency long term by reducing strain on its components.
Source boiler spares and parts for repairs
Having access to high quality parts, such as a boiler gasket replacement, is essential to maintain boiler efficiency. There can be many factors affecting the efficiency of your boiler at different times in the year, so it’s important to be prepared. National Boiler Spares offer next day delivery so you can complete the repairs you need to. Get in touch for more information.