Whilst replacing a worn out boiler with a new one certainly hits the bank balance, there are also some benefits to upgrading your central heating system, especially if you don’t currently have TRVs (Thermostatic Radiator Valves) or a room thermostat on your system.
Improved boiler efficiency
The energy saving trust estimates that a central heating boiler is responsible for 60% of your household energy bills, so having a more efficient boiler can make a sizeable difference to your bills. Most new condensing boilers are A rated which means their efficiency is 90% or more. The efficiency of your old boiler will depend on a number of factors but typically an old non-condensing boiler would be G rated which means it is less than 70% efficient and could well be 55% -70% efficient. Depending on your gas bill, moving to a more efficient condensing boiler could save £200-300 per year. See the energysavingtrust.org.uk website for more details.
Improved heating control
Using a heating controller with TRVs and a room thermostat allows you to set the temperature in each room separately. Each TRV shuts off its radiator from the heating when the air around the valve reaches the desired temperature. Generally people prefer sleeping areas to be about 2 degrees C cooler than living areas so by using TRVs can improve comfort levels. Once each room is at the desired temperature and all the TRVs have shut off their radiators then a room thermostat, placed near one radiator without a TRV, can switch the entire boiler system off. This saves money as well as keeping the temperature at the right level. Also TRVs in rooms used only occasionally such as a spare room for guests, can be set at a low level so the room is not heated unnecessarily
Quieter boiler operation
Due to improved design and better use of materials, new boilers can be significantly quieter than older type boilers. This can make areal difference where a boiler is sited the other side of a bedroom wall.
Smaller size
Modern boilers tend to be smaller than their older counterparts and there are more options for siting them on walls rather than floors. They can even be hidden behind a kitchen cupboard. This can free up useful space for some householders.
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