Condensing Boilers - Expert recommends boiler change

26/02/2008

Anyone who is serious about cutting their heating bills should consider switching boilers, a consumer group has advised.

Energy costs have been close to the top of the news agenda since the turn of the year after a number of major suppliers imposed substantial price rises and industry regulator Ofgem announced it is to launch an investigation into the gas and electricity market.

Searching for a cheaper energy tariff is the simplest way to cut costs, but Martin Hocking of Which? Money told the Manchester Evening News consumers should also think about taking a more long-term measure.

Ageing boilers waste up to 40 per cent of the fuel they burn, said Mr Hocking, so replacing them could reduce the heating bill of a semi-detached home by £150 a year.

"Modern condensing boilers use some of this escaping energy to reheat water returning from the radiators, meaning they use nearer to 90 per cent of the gas burned," he explained.

Among the products worth looking at are the Baxi Duo-Tec Condensing Combi Gas Boiler 28 HE and the Potterton Condensing Combi Gas Boiler Gold 24 HE, Mr Hocking added.