Eco boilers are different to traditional gas or oil boilers in the sense that they are not only safer (less risk of poisonous carbon monoxide and gas leaks), but they are far better for the environment, too. In the UK, around 80% of households use natural gas to heat their homes. This is higher than most other countries, but the proximity of the North Sea gas reserves have made it accessible and cost-effective. Unfortunately, the impact of using the finite natural gas resources is profound on the environment.
Whilst cleaner than fossil fuels like coal, it still contributes to smog which is a growing issue in cities and has a negative impact on both the environment and our health. To combat this, the government introduced the Future Homes Standard which means from 2025, gas boilers will be banned in newly built homes. Instead, eco boilers and gas boiler alternatives will be installed. Ground source heat pumps are an example of a boiler alternative, but eco-friendly boilers are likely to be more common for now.
Eco boilers consume less energy and capture more heat than gas boilers, meaning less energy is wasted and therefore less is needed to generate the desired output.
Standard gas boilers do a great job of providing heat to our homes, but they are notorious for heat loss. This means when heat is generated, a lot of it is lost due to manufacturing and systematic loopholes that don’t directly combat loss. In turn, the boiler needs to work harder for longer to generate the heat required to heat your home, resulting in higher energy consumption and releasing more polluting natural gas into the atmosphere.
Eco boilers are designed to heat your home in the same way as a traditional gas boiler, but they are less susceptible to heat loss. They are built to retain heat, meaning less heat is lost and therefore the boiler doesn’t need to be on as long to get to your desired temperature. It also means less harmful gas is released into the environment.
If you are thinking about replacing your boiler for an eco boiler, you’re likely wondering what advantages you’ll receive from doing so. After all, replacing a boiler is a big decision due to the cost and the process involved. So, why should you swap to an eco boiler?
Due to the fact that more heat is retained, you’ll find that your boiler is able to run at optimal efficiency. If your existing boiler has a high heat loss rate, your bills will be higher to compensate because the boiler needs to work harder for longer to heat your home. When you switch to an eco boiler, you’ll find that your energy bills are reduced over time thanks to the improved efficiency.
As well as saving money, being efficient also helps to preserve the planet because fewer harmful gases are released, meaning your carbon footprint will also be reduced.
Given that gas central heating systems produce carbon dioxide and/or nitrogen oxide into the environment, they are rated not just by the energy they use, but how much carbon emissions they put out, too. The higher the rating, the more harmful the energy it releases is. Eco boilers tend to have a lower rating which means they are greener and produce cleaner energy, as well as less of it. This is what makes them energy efficient.
You’ll be aware that the government has a plan to make the UK carbon neutral which is why new builds will need to be equipped with alternatives to gas boilers. This means ideally, the amount of carbon that is produced is offset by the amount that was used. A good example is if you were to use wood pellets as an energy source, the trees where the wood came from would have absorbed carbon throughout their life. The amount of carbon absorbed would be equal to the amount of carbon that is released into the atmosphere when the pellets are used as an energy source in a boiler or boiler alternative. This means the production of the wood offsets the release of carbon, creating a carbon neutral energy source.
Many eco boilers aim to be carbon neutral, meaning the amount of carbon that is required to produce the boilers is factored in and minimised so that it offsets the carbon the boilers will produce later down the line. Carbon neutral is not to be confused with net zero carbon emissions as this refers to no carbon being produced during the production or running.
There are a few different types of eco boilers on the market that vary in price. They include:
Electricity is increasingly considered a clean energy source when sourced from renewable sources such as wind and solar power. Electric boilers are also a cheaper alternative to some other types of boilers, with prices starting from just £800 depending on the make and model.
Combi boilers are becoming increasingly popular due to their convenience and low price point, with prices from just £1,000 model depending. They still use some fossil fuels, but they’re more efficient than gas and oil boilers.
Biomass boilers burn wood pellets and chips to generate energy. They are carbon neutral, but they’re expensive, with prices for a biomass boiler starting from £9,000+. That being said, you will qualify for the government’s renewable heat incentive scheme if you have a biomass boiler installed, meaning you could recoup some of your money.
The price point of an eco boiler is the main consideration you need to factor in. If your current gas boiler is in good working order and isn’t near the end of its lifespan just yet, it could be better for you to keep it as is and switch to a gas boiler alternative later down the line. As they become more popular, prices for green boiler and hybrid heating systems will reduce, so if you’re not financially in a position to swap just yet, you could benefit from waiting it out.
At Bbright, we provide and install a range of eco-friendly boilers with high levels of efficiency to help you offset your carbon footprint and keep your energy bills down. Our team is on hand to help you find the right eco boiler for your home, so if you’re unsure what could work best for your household and budget, call us on 01279 888429. Alternatively, get a quote for a new boiler online.
For underfloor heating systems to work at their best, a conductive floor surface is recommended. Materials like stone and tile are highly thermally conductive which means even when the underfloor heating is turned off, the floor will remain warm and continue to give out heat. This is why in extensions with large amounts of glazing or in conservatories, tiles are often laid.
Stone and tiles work well with underfloor heating, whereas a heavy-duty carpet won’t have the same effect. Your home will still be heated, but because carpet isn’t as thermally conductive and acts as a type of buffer, you would need to have the heating on at a higher temperature for longer.
The more thermally conductive flooring is, the better it works with underfloor heating.
Wood isn’t the most thermally conductive material and therefore, like carpet, would require the heating to be on for longer periods of time and at a higher temperature in order to heat the room to the same level as with stone or tiles. That being said, underfloor heating doesn’t reach temperatures as high as radiators, and high temperatures could change the moisture levels in certain types of wood flooring.
If the moisture content in solid wood floors change (if the temperature exceeds 27°c), the wood could begin to bow and flex, creating an uneven floor surface that looks bad and poses a trip hazard. With this in mind, we advise against using engineered hardwood flooring with an underfloor heating system.
Although solid hardwood floors aren’t a good option, there are other types of wooden flooring that work well with underfloor heating.
By far, the best wooden option for underfloor heating is engineered wood flooring. It has an inner core made of plywood and is finished on top with hardwood timber. The reason this type of wood works so well is that it is specifically designed to have limited shrinkage and growth when moisture levels change, meaning it’s not as susceptible to bowing or warping like traditional solid wood flooring. This makes engineered wood floors a great option for use with an underfloor heating system.
Timber flooring, also known as natural hardwood flooring, is the same as your floorboards. It can be prone to warping, but quarter-saw timber is less so. This is because it’s cut to absorb moisture, making it less likely to bow, therefore a better choice to lay on top of underfloor heating.
As well as the material and type of wood flooring you choose, there are a few other factors to consider when combining wood flooring with underfloor heating.
Firstly, you’ll need to think about how thick the wood floor is. Ideally, you’ll choose boards that are less than 18mm thick as they will allow more heat to penetrate the wood. In addition, we recommend the thickness of the board is combined with the width of the board to create a ratio of between seven and 11. This is because narrower boards show less movement, so are ideal for underfloor heating. If you’re unsure about the ratios, speak to us or your wood floor provider for help.
As mentioned previously, we advise you to keep your heating to a maximum of 27°c with wooden flooring. This is a means tested temperature that minimises the growth and shrinkage rate of the wood. After extensive industry testing, it’s widely agreed that when heated to no more than 27°c, the expansion of the wood is almost invisible to the naked eye, making it optimal for wooden floors. This isn’t necessarily a hard and fast rule as some wood can be heated higher, but it’s best practice to stick to 27°c or below, or whatever your wood supplier recommends.
Installing underfloor heating below wooden flooring means that you need to take a few extra steps, including acclimatisation. This involves leaving the wood in the room it’s going to be installed in for a couple of days. Once the heating has been fitted, you should leave it off for another 48 hours and then slowly increase the heating in 1°c increments from 15°c every day. This will minimise the amount of expanding and shrinking the wood will go through.
At Bbright, we’re proud to be home to a team of experienced underfloor heating specialists. We are best placed to install a heating system beneath your wooden flooring, and we can provide advice on the best types of wood to go for if you’re unsure. To find out more, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
How long it takes to service your boiler will depend on the boiler model and make. Older boilers, or those that haven’t been serviced within the last year, may take longer to service because there’s a chance more parts may need to be replaced during the appointment – but this isn’t always the case. As a general rule of thumb, a gas boiler service usually takes approximately one hour to complete, though it might take up to an hour and half.
When your boiler is being serviced, it’s akin to getting your car MOTd. A qualified Gas Safe engineer will inspect your boiler to ensure it’s legally compliant, safe, and working as it should be. To do this, they’ll look at all aspects of your boiler, including:
Some parts may need replacing due to general wear and tear. If that’s the case, the technician will do that during your service. They will also clean certain parts of your boiler to remove carbon deposits within the combustion chamber and on the heat exchanger surface.
They’ll check for carbon monoxide leaks and, if you don’t already have one, recommend that you get a carbon monoxide detector installed. They can also service other gas appliances if you have them, like ovens.
The aim of a service is to make sure your boiler is safe. If it’s not and can’t be fixed during the service (if parts need to be ordered in and replaced for example), you may find that the technician tells you not to use your boiler because there’s a risk of gas leaks or another issue. On the other hand, if your boiler is deemed as safe and in good working order, you can rest assured that it can be switched on with no problems.
Following the conclusion of the service, the gas engineer will provide you with a full service report and a gas safety certificate (faulty boilers won’t receive a certificate). This is for your records and will detail the date the service was carried out on, which safety checks were done in line with the Gas Safety Regulation 26.9, and any other work that was completed (e.g. replacements). The engineer will sign the report and give it to you to confirm that the information is true and correct.
If you have an oil boiler, it will also need to be serviced by gas safe registered engineers, but this may take longer than with a traditional boiler. This is because as well as the boiler being checked, the oil tank will also need to be inspected to ensure there are no leaks, water, corrosion, or warping/bulging of the tank. Generally speaking, an oil boiler service can take up to two hours and it will also cost more than a gas boiler service due to the increased safety checks.
There are lots of reasons why you should get your boiler serviced outside of it being the safe thing to do.
Did you know that if you fail to get your boiler serviced on a yearly basis, you could find that your warranty is voided? This is because in the small print, most boiler manufacturers require a Gas Safe engineer to look at your boiler annually, and not doing so could mean you’re denied coverage if something goes wrong.
Boilers, like everything in life, are susceptible to wear and tear, and repairs will be needed at some stage. The key to keeping repair costs down is to have your boiler serviced regularly. Doing so will highlight any issues before they become more problematic and expensive.
The better you look after something, the longer it lasts, and the same is true of boilers. Servicing will keep your boiler in top condition and running as efficiently as possible, meaning you can maximise its lifespan before a replacement is needed.
Faults in your boiler or anywhere in your heating system could cause your household bills to skyrocket. A service will highlight any issues and any areas where efficiency could be improved, meaning you can save money on your bills in the long run.
Is your boiler due a service? If so, get in touch with our team. One of our Gas Safe boiler engineers will be able to carry out a full service and boiler inspection, ensuring your boiler is kept ticking over safely and you’re not left in the cold. Call us today on 01279 888429 to arrange an inspection.