Boilers - Condensing boiler ''one of best improvements''

30/05/2008

Heating is the most important consideration to take into account when making a home eco-friendly, a sustainable energy expert has said.

Neil Schofield, head of sustainable development at boiler maker Worcester Bosch Group, said heating accounts for the majority of energy used in houses.

Mr Schofield revealed that three-quarters of the energy in the average UK home comes from the boiler and the gas main, and pointed out that savings can be gained if this is made more efficient.

"One of the biggest improvements you can do is when you replace your old boiler to have an A-rated condensing boiler, you can save something like £250 a year in that situation," he suggested.

In Worcester's A Greener Future report it was revealed that a boiler more than 15 years old runs at 65 per cent efficiency, meaning that 35 pence out of every pound spent is wasted.

The report also said that a new condensing boiler could reduce a house's carbon emissions by 1.1 tonnes a year, while this figure increases to 1.7 tonnes of reductions if the system is combined with solar water heating technologies.