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Is the old boiler in the airing cupboard doing its job? Is the onset of winter making early morning starts unbearable? If the answer to the above is a defi nitive ‘yes’, then you might want to think about upgrading your boiler.


O


lder boilers are now so ineffi cient compared to modern, eco-friendly and energy effi cient models that upgrading can save you up to £300 a year. If your boiler has an energy-effi ciency rating be-


tween G and A, or is over 15 years old, then upgrading will work out cost-effective in the long run – and save fossil fuels in the process. If your old boiler’s packed in, or you’re just keen to become more energy effi cient, the following guide should help.


What different types of boiler are there?


Nowadays, almost all new boilers are condensing types. And if you are looking to change then you should be looking at an A-rated condensing model. A-rated boilers are far more energy-effi cient than the traditional guzzlers, cunningly reusing heat that would otherwise be wasted. The majority of UK homes rely on gas central heating,


but a small selection are not connected to the mains sup- ply, and so rely on oil-powered boilers.


There are a few types of boiler systems to consider:


‘Combi’ boilers The fi rst, and most common type, is the gas combination boiler. Unlike boilers of old, a combi runs both your central heating and your hot water from one unit. There’s no need for a separate hot water storage cyl-


inder or cold water feed cistern, so they take up much less room than heat-only boilers. One drawback, though, is that there’s a small time


lag between turning on the tap and getting hot water, and the fl ow rate is limited by how quickly the boiler is able to heat up the water. These type of boilers will suit all but the larger homes.


Heat-only boilers For those looking for something that only powers radiators, a heat-only boiler provides the answer. However, these


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