Some still believe that today’s boilers operate by boiling water. This is not true as the term is considered a carryover when steam boilers were still the standard. While back then, it functioned as one that makes steam, modern-day boilers are run by natural gas and work as water heaters. They can heat water up to 190 degrees, mainly depending on their radiation system. This machine offers radiant heat that can warm objects within a room and balance the house’s heat during colder months.

Modern-day boilers are not far from yesterday’s boilers in purpose and use, but changes have been implemented to make these heating systems cost and energy-efficient. In fact, the English government recently implemented a scheme called the Green Homes Grants to encourage property owners to implement energy-saving property improvements. They offer a maximum of £5,000 worth of government vouchers to subsidise energy-efficient improvements to your property. This is the government’s answer to the global call to lessening carbon emissions from gases and oil-fired heating systems.

The vouchers you’ll receive as a grant can be used to set-up renewable heating systems like biomass boilers, solar thermal panels, and heat pumps. Then again, not all homeowners are willing to leave behind the old boiler they’re most familiar with. If you’re one of them, know that there are still ways to make your home eco-friendlier while keeping your old boiler system.

Go For Condensing Boilers

Boilers that were installed before 2005 are run and operated by non-condensing technology. This means that it’s using 30 to 50% more fuel than it should be. This is terrible for the environment since it has been suffering much from the already-high carbon emission levels. But aside from that repercussion, you also get to pay more for your heating cost.

If you don’t want to suffer these downsides, investing in a condensing boiler is the way to go. With this option, your machine can capture the heat and recycle it to run your boiler system. This allows you to lower your heating bills while also reducing your carbon emission levels. The government acknowledged how these new boilers could reinvent home heating systems; that’s why they altogether prohibited the use of non-condensing types in 2005.

Since 2018, pursuant to the Boiler Plus Registration, any property owner who has to install a boiler needs condensing technology. This technology allows you to achieve 92% of minimum efficacy, which means that you only waste about 8% of fuel. Under the same law, recent boiler installations should also include operational temperature and time controls. And if you’re using combi-boilers, it must consist of the following salient features.

• Load compensation: This is used to modulate temperature flow from the boiler and regulate it according to the actual room temperature.
• Weather compensation:This refers to the system’s ability to modulate temperature flow from the boiler and regulate the same based on the outdoor temperature.
• Smart controls: This is necessary for optimisation and automation.
• Passive Flue Gas Heat Recovery Device (PFGHRD): This is responsible for improving the efficiency of domestic hot water to reduce sanitary water wastage, C02 emission, and gas consumption.

Try a New Heating System

If your current boiler system requires the use of a hot water cylinder for hot water to flow through your shower and taps, you can reduce the energy you consume by shifting to a combination boiler. However, before you carry out this option, it’s best to understand your current water heating system.

You’ll know that you have a regular boiler if you see a boiler, sizeable cold water tank, and hot water cylinder in a cupboard. You’ll know it’s a system boiler if you have everything except for the large cold water tank. In either case, your heating system produces hot water for centralised heating and sends the same to its cylinder for storage and tapping when the need arises. Unfortunately, while the water is kept in a wrongly-insulated cylinder, it loses its heat. As a result, your power and carbon footprint increases.

To remedy this and make an energy-efficient heating system, you can insulate your old cylinder with lagging. Otherwise, you can opt to upgrade to an energy-efficient cylinder. But, if you want to go all out, it’s best to switch to a combi boiler instead.

A combination boiler is an all-in-one compact unit that gathers water directly from the mains. It also heats the same only when needed. This set-up erases the needs for a hot water cylinder since there’s no hot water sitting around while losing heat. You only heat water when you need it.

Set-Up Solar Thermal Panels

If your heating system has just been recently installed, yet you want it to be eco-friendlier, you can install solar thermal panels that will work hand in hand with your boiler. These are roof-fitted panels that are often exposed to sunlight and can use the latter’s energy to keep the water in the cylinder hot. Though these panels couldn’t produce all the hot water you need, they can significantly reduce your gas boiler’s workload. As such, it can subsequently ease the strain on your boiler and reduce your heating costs and carbon footprint. This option is best for houses with combination boilers that require hot water cylinders.

Invest in a Biomass Boiler

This boiler type is fueled by logs, wood chips, or wood pellets. They are larger than gas boilers since they need to have space for physical and manual fuel feeding. They also need hot water cylinders since they need to store the hot water they produce. Since they’re fueled by wood, they’re tagged as carbon neutral. When their fuel is burned, the carbon it emits is absorbed by trees, and nothing goes to the atmosphere.

Rising Need for Boiler Insurance

Installing a cost and energy-efficient heating system is just half of the battle. The next thing you need to ensure is to keep your boiler in good condition and avoid busting your bank account anytime your heating system breaks down. Though accidents and damages to your heating system can be prevented by constant maintenance, you can’t stop the damages that may result from normal wear and tear. To protect you from any damage that may arise from this future and (could be) specific event, get boiler system insurance.

Whether you’re leasing or occupying a residential and commercial space, subscribing to a boiler insurance policy should be non-negotiable. No matter how efficient these heatings may be, failure of its pumps and other electrical components like thermostats and controls can cause boilers to stop working. In some instances, unnecessary air gets into its system, or low water pressure happens, causing the system to keep from correctly radiating heat. In rare circumstances, especially in freezing weather, water can freeze.

To keep your boiler in good running condition, you need to give time to examine its vents and chimneys, check its heat exchanger, flush it out occasionally, and lubricate its circulating pump. If you’re not confident about doing these things by yourself, it’s best to call an expert to assess your heating system and for regular maintenance. By regularly checking on it, you can ensure its efficiency and safety.

How to Choose the Right Insurance Coverage

Most people are antagonistic towards insurance coverage simply because they feel like it’s unnecessary spending that’s not profitable at all. Some also think that they’ll have a hard time claiming what they’re owed because they need to submit many documents. While it’s true that you have to pay money for your coverage, it can save you from doom and financial repercussions when your boiler, heater, plumbing, drains, and home electronics get damaged. For less than £20 per month, you’ll have peace of mind for as long as your intended years of coverage.

Getting insured means anytime your boiler gets damaged, or if it’s time for its scheduled maintenance, a qualified engineer will come over and survey the cost of the damage. After that, your insurer will pay for the cost of the call-out, labour, and parts. To help you choose the best option for your boiler insurance, check these tips out.

Only Pay for What You Need

The boiler’s average cost will vary significantly based on the policy type you choose, so determine what suits your household the best. If you have a central heating system, consider this as a possible part of your coverage. This can also protect your radiators. However, be cautious of the policy offerings you’re reading by checking the superfluous extras. Say, for instance, if drainage, pipes, and electrical problems are already covered in your home insurance, no need to get extra coverage for the same.

Pay Annually

If you can afford to pay for your annual coverage at once, go for it since this can save you from paying more when monthly payments are spread across the year. There are even insurance firms that offer enormous discounts for customers paying their coverage at once annually.

Look for Insurance Firms That Offer More Comprehensive Coverage

The good thing about the boiler insurance coverage provided by most companies is that they don’t discriminate when it comes to your boiler system’s age and model. So, even if it’s old, they got you covered. And if you can’t have it fixed despite due diligence, some boiler insurance companies will even give you a 15% discount on your new boiler purchase. Now, this is the type of insurance that provides a win-win solution to both the company and household owner.

What Should You Do When Your Boiler Is Malfunctioning?

As mentioned above, general maintenance is essential as it helps keep your boiler in good condition as long as possible. However, if it breaks for whatever reason, the best thing to do is call an expert to assess its health and actual condition. It’s better to let the expert handle the matter to keep the issue from worsening. If you’re insured, you won’t think twice about calling in for repair services because your boiler insurance company got your back.

Is there an investment in adding a new roof to your home? Read ”How Much Value Does a New Roof Add to Your Home?” to learn more.