Upgrade your boiler and heating system for the winter?
If you have a boiler and heating system older than about 10 years you really should consider upgrading the boiler and hopefully the following will provide some food for thought.
As gas and electric prices continue to rise with recent reports that they could possibly be 60 % higher by 2020 if not sooner. Now is the time to look at both your consumption and the efficiency of your heating system.
Now of course you can switch energy providers and probably save on your bills but this will not tackle or reduce your CO2 emissions, though some ‘green’ tariffs do claim they will address your carbon footprint by what are quite novel ways.
The main way ‘you’ can help with ‘your’ CO2 consumption is by reducing your consumption.
Domestic boilers produce around 60% of the carbon dioxide emissions in a gas heated home. If you upgrade your old G rated boiler with a new high efficiency condensing boiler and improve your heating controls; you will drastically reduce your home’s carbon dioxide emissions and could save as much as £240 a year.
If you have a back boiler
Your back boiler will most likely be a Baxi Bermuda of some description. This has quite probably been running strong for many, many years with little problems; upgrading the boiler and heating system may sound ‘expensive’ by you maybe surprised.
The back boiler has developed and improved in efficiency levels, however if it is over 10 years old it is likely to be ‘G’ rated and about 65% efficient. 
New condensing combi boilers or regular condensing boilers are about 90% efficient and the cost savings per year will certainly be attractive.
By getting rid of your old back boiler and installing a condensing combination boiler you can free up the airing cupboard and discard that old cylinder which you had been meaning to further insulate for years. With a combi boiler, water is heated on demand from within the unit itself, unlike a conventional boiler which requires a copper cylinder in an airing cupboard to store the hot water whilst you need it. If you buy a good quality boiler the rate at which you receive the hot water will be as fast as the mains water pressure.
If you can not afford to take the plunge at present and buy a new condensing boiler there are some good, cheaply purchased and installed ways of improving your heating system. Wherever it is possible try to ensure the following are installed (if applicable to your system):
Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs)
These valves are not expensive though add extra control to the individual temperature each radiator will reach. They are essential for people who have rooms they don’t use for e.g. spare guest rooms. Why heat rooms you do not use?
A good plumber will be able to fit TRVs to a number of radiators with minimal disruption.
Room Thermostat
Again, a room thermostat can be cheaply purchased and fitted and will give an overall regulation to the temperature the house will reach. You can now buy wireless room thermostats which can even more flexibility and ease of installation.
Hot water cylinder
You will find 2 types of insulation when you look at your ‘old’ style cylinder, spray foam and a loose fitting jacket (often red). If the depth of thickness of the insulation is less than 80mm, have this increased to this depth.
Pay attention around the bottom third of the cylinder and see if there is a cylinder thermostat, if not getting one installed will make sure water is not heated further when it is up to the correct temperature.
It is advised that all the above upgrades and improvements to your heating system should be carried out be a qualified and experienced person or company.
However, be sure that you get a number of quotes from various companies in order to compare cost before choosing an installer.
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