I love writing about the coolest cleantech solutions on the planet — solar panels, wind turbines, learning thermostats, LEDs, and electric cars. However, there are a lot of improvements you can make in your home to cut your energy use to a large degree. One of those is concerns one of the “least-cool” technologies running your home: your boiler.
“Boilers account for about 55 per cent of what you spend in a year on energy bills, so an efficient boiler makes a big difference,” the Energy Saving Trust writes.
“Replacing an old gas boiler with no controls, with an A-rated high efficiency condensing boiler and full set of heating controls will significantly cut your home’s carbon dioxide emissions, and could save you as much as £305 a year.” (Though, according to the table below, the Energy Saving Trust shows an average of £490 a year in some situations.)
Looking at the estimated savings for different types of dwellings and switching from old boilers with different efficiencies to a new, A-rated condensing boiler that includes a programmer, room thermostat, and thermostatic radiator controls (TRVs), Energy Saving Trust provides this table for residents of England, Wales, or Scotland:
Old boiler rating | Semi detached house | Detached house | Detached bungalow | Mid terrace house | Mid floor flat |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
G ( < 70%) | £305 | £490 | £275 | £250 | £130 |
F (70–74%) | £230 | £365 | £205 | £185 | £95 |
E (74–78%) | £190 | £310 | £170 | £155 | £75 |
D (78–82%) | £160 | £255 | £140 | £130 | £60 |
Granted, that’s for the UK, which is quite cold, but the story would be similar for the US.
There’s no doubt about it: you should check your boiler, including its age and efficiency (or have a professional do so). If you don’t have a new, energy-efficient boiler, you should probably upgrade.
Before you head down to the boiler room, though, be sure to check out this infographic on boiler room safety*:
*This article has been generously supported by American Trainco.