Home Off Topic Maximise Your Boiler’s Efficiency: Practical Tips to Save on Energy Bills

Maximise Your Boiler’s Efficiency: Practical Tips to Save on Energy Bills

by Jessica Amey

The increased cost of living has been a significant topic in the UK media for several months, with many households starting to feel the financial strain, particularly during winter. Higher energy bills have added to the economic pressure, affecting people’s daily lives.

While there are various methods to reduce energy consumption around the home, such as proper insulation and limiting heating to only the rooms in use, the reality is that even these efforts may not be enough if your boiler is not running efficiently. If your boiler isn’t functioning optimally, any energy-saving strategies you adopt could be undermined, leading to higher energy bills than necessary.

In this guide, we will explore how boiler efficiency is measured, where to find your boiler’s efficiency rating and some practical strategies for improving its efficiency. By optimising your boiler’s performance, you can not only stay warmer during the colder months but also reduce your energy costs.

How Efficient is My Boiler?
Before attempting to improve your boiler’s efficiency, it’s important to understand its current efficiency. Boiler efficiency refers to the percentage of energy that a boiler converts into usable heat. For example, modern boilers installed within the past 5-10 years typically operate at an efficiency rate of 90% or more. Older boilers, especially those older than 15, may only run at 70% efficiency or lower. The more efficient your boiler is, the better it heats your home and the less it costs.

To determine your boiler’s efficiency, start by checking its outer casing. Boilers installed within the last decade often have a sticker displaying their efficiency rating, typically a letter from A to G. A-rated boilers have an efficiency of 90% or more. In comparison, G- rated ones operate at only 70% efficiency or below. If the sticker is missing, you can search for the model number, which should be located on the boiler’s casing, and then look it up in the relevant database. This can provide you with an efficiency rating.

How to Improve Boiler Efficiency
When a boiler isn’t operating efficiently, it produces ineffective heating and raises energy costs. Fortunately, there are several ways to ensure gas condensing boilers operate at maximum efficiency. You could save substantial money on your heating bills by performing a few simple checks.

Keep Up with Boiler Servicing
Regular servicing is vital for maintaining boiler efficiency. A Gas Safe registered engineer will conduct a thorough inspection to ensure the boiler operates safely and efficiently. Servicing should occur once a year, as this allows technicians to spot any issues early, preventing them from becoming more serious and costly. Timely repairs
can prevent your heating system from working harder than necessary, thus helping to maintain its efficiency and keep your bills lower.

Bleed Your Radiators
If air gets trapped in your radiators, it can prevent them from heating properly, making your boiler work harder to provide heat. This trapped air also makes the central heating system less efficient, increasing energy bills. To check if your radiators need bleeding, turn on the heating and inspect them for cold spots or if it takes longer than usual to
heat up. Bleeding the radiators is a simple task that can be done without professional help.

Check Boiler Pressure
Low pressure is a common cause of boiler inefficiency. When the pressure is too low, the central heating system struggles to function correctly, causing home heating delays. Over time, this inefficiency can increase energy costs. Typically, a boiler’s pressure gauge should read around 1.5 bar. If the pressure is lower than this, it needs to be re-
pressurised. After bleeding your radiators, a pressure drop is common, so you may need to top up the pressure by adding water.

Insulate Pipes
In the same way that wall, floor, and loft insulation help to keep your home warmer, insulating your pipes can also improve the efficiency of your heating system. Wrapping pipes in foam insulation can reduce heat loss and prevent your boiler from having to work as hard to maintain the desired temperature. This simple step can make a noticeable difference to your energy bills by ensuring heat is retained and utilised more efficiently.

Consider an Upgrade
If your boiler is over a decade old, has a low efficiency rating, or requires frequent repairs, consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient model. While the initial cost of a new boiler can be a concern, a more efficient model will likely result in long-term savings. The lower your boiler’s efficiency rating, the more you could save by replacing it with a modern, high-efficiency model.

With rising energy prices, maintaining an efficient heating system has never been more important. By checking your boiler’s efficiency rating, keeping up with regular servicing, bleeding your radiators, maintaining correct boiler pressure, insulating pipes, and considering an upgrade when necessary, you can ensure your heating system runs as efficiently as possible. These steps will improve the comfort of your home and help reduce your energy bills, making it easier to cope with the ongoing cost of living pressures.

You may also like