Things you need to know before buying a boiler.

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1 BOILERS Things you need to know before buying a boiler. Europe s No.1 online quote service Quotatis Ltd, Suit 1, Joseph King House, Abby Farm Commercial Park, Horsham St Faith, Norwich, NR10 3JU

2 Contents How to use this boiler guide 3 What are the savings with a replacement boiler? 4 What makes a new boiler energy efficient? 5 Which boiler should you choose? 6 What is an LPG boiler? 7 What is a solid fuel boiler? 8 What is a wood burner? 9 Why should I use electric heaters? 10 How can the Renewable Heat Incentive help me? 11 Why use Quotatis? 12 Appendix 13 Page 2

3 How to use this zero stress guide When it comes to buying a replacement boiler, it s important to take the time to consider your options and select the best system for your home. Of course, it s essential to hire a reputable plumber to complete the installation, who is Gas Safe registered. Your boiler can potentially be one of the most dangerous appliances in your home and if it s incorrectly fitted a fire could be caused or carbon monoxide leaked. In facts, hundreds of people are killed and hospitalised every year due to carbon monoxide poisoning so it s essential to ensure the work is carried out to the highest quality. This guide will be a useful reference to take you through the maze of decision-making with which you will be faced. You ll learn about the choices to be made and what to take into consideration before you make them. We warn you about the pitfalls to avoid. We point you to websites that will provide more detail on particular aspects of the project in which you are especially interested. In short, we invite you to benefit from our expertise and make the whole experience as straightforward as possible. With a new boiler there s the potential to save hundreds of pounds every year. Get the installation right and you ll have over 15 years of reduced energy bills. Page 3

4 What are the savings with a replacement boiler? There are two problems facing millions of homeowners every year concerning their heating systems: Boiler breakdowns Increased energy prices When a boiler is turned on after the long summer spell, it s not uncommon for the system to fault and even breakdown. This alone will cost you hundreds of pounds and you re only prolonging the need to completely replace your boiler. On top of this, thousands of boilers in the UK are operating inefficiently, wasting hundreds of pounds every year on bills. With prices set to rise even more this winter, you ll save even more by replacing your boiler with an A-rated system now. With the savings achievable, replacing your boiler this winter should be near the top of your priority list. Taking advantage of a combi boiler will provide you with hot water on demand and you won t need a water storage tank. This will help you create extra space in your home and you won t have to wait an hour for water to heat up. With the efficiency a new A-rated boiler provides, combined with the practicality and functionality, more and more homeowners are taking the steps towards cheaper energy bills. Below you ll find both your financial savings and environmental benefits with a new boiler installation.* Old boiler rating Annual saving Carbon dioxide saving per year G (<70%) 300 1,220kg F (70-74%) kg E (74-78%) kg D (78-82%) kg *Based on a semi-detached home with three bedrooms. Page 4

What makes a new boiler energy efficient? Modern boilers are more energy efficient because of the amount of heat that is used, rather than lost in the exchanger.

5 What makes a new boiler energy efficient? Modern boilers are more energy efficient because of the amount of heat that is used, rather than lost in the exchanger. For heightened energy efficiency, look no further than condensing boilers. Condensing boilers are designed for enhanced energy efficiency, which is what makes them a lot more popular than the older style heating systems. Non-condensing boilers tend to have efficiencies of around 75%, which is wasting hundreds of pounds every year on heating bills. However, condensing boilers operate at increased efficiency, pushing towards the 87% and more. This is all because of the way heat is extracted from waste gases, so less is lost in the flue and instead converted into heat for the home. In condensing boilers there are two significant ways the amount of heat used is enhanced. First of all, heat rises upwards into the exchanger. Once it reaches the top it s diverted into a second exchanger to capture more heat. Heat exiting the flue is only at a temperature of 55 C, rather than around 180 C in a normal boiler. Combi boilers are a form of condensing boiler and extremely popular in UK households. This is mainly for two reasons; they re small and able to fit in the kitchen cupboard or on a wall, and can provide hot water on demand, with no need for a water storage tank. Many of the older boilers will have a storage tank fitted in the loft or airing cupboard taking up plenty of room. Replacing this system with a combi is becoming more popular to open up the space and save up to 300 a year on heating bills. TOP TIP: Condensing boilers are designed for enhanced energy efficiency making them more popular than older style heating systems Page 5

6 Which boiler should you choose? The central heating of your home is something you need to take a lot of care with, as the replacement boiler you choose to have installed will decide how much heat and hot water you receive. Boilers are often left unchecked throughout the year, without a registered Gas Safe engineer checking the safety and inefficiency of the appliance. Without an efficient system, you ll end up paying out hundreds of pounds more every year on your energy bills. By having a replacement central heating boiler fitted, you have the opportunity to save up to 300 every year depending on the fuel your home uses (gas, electric, oil or biomass). Quite often, older boilers in the home will have a separate cylinder in which to store hot water. This is rather than heated water being directed straight to taps on demand. When you want to upgrade your heating system, there s a choice to make. Firstly, you could opt for the same style but with enhanced efficiency. Or you could choose to change to a combi boiler, where hot water is available on demand. The decision will be based on three key areas: How much hot water do you need? Whilst combination boilers supply you with hot water whenever it s needed, they can t provide this to two points at the same time. Effectively, this means that families with multiple bathrooms which could be used at the same time would benefit more from a regular condensing boiler. On the other hand, smaller households would save more money with a combi. How much space is available? The old style boilers have storage tanks in the loft or airing cupboard. Combi boilers fit straight into a small kitchen cupboard or can be hooked onto the wall, so they needn t require a storage tank providing you extra space. For anyone who may be considering a loft conversion in the future, installing a combi boiler would up open space in the loft by removing the storage tank. Would you consider renewable energy? Environmentally friendly products such as solar panels generate renewable energy as they use natural sources. With renewables becoming more popular because of major financial incentives, you may well invest in the future. When replacing a boiler, find out if the new system would be compatible with renewables because some combi boilers can t work efficiently with solar thermal. TOP TIP: By having a replacement central heating boiler fitted, you have the opportunity to save up to 300 every year Page 6

What is an LPG boiler? LPG, otherwise known as Liquefied Petroleum Gas, provides a warm and efficient central heating system which is seen as the closest alternative to mains gas.

7 What is an LPG boiler? LPG, otherwise known as Liquefied Petroleum Gas, provides a warm and efficient central heating system which is seen as the closest alternative to mains gas. It offers a fantastic form of heat that is highly controllable for hot water and cooking. LPG heating benefits LPG heating is fantastic especially for areas without access to mains gas. Benefits include: A cheaper installation than oil central heating, up to 2,500 cheaper for a three-bedroom house A cleaner form of heating than non-gas heated homes, producing fewer carbon emissions. LPG heating produces 11.7% less carbon dioxide than oil boilers It s possible to integrate an LPG boiler with renewable products to maximise energy bill and carbon savings Ability to be installed in a number of places, offering flexibility for your home How LPG beats other heating fuels Oil LPG has a significant advantage over oil heating because of its versatility and can be used for cooking, water and space heating. With an instant flame and controllable heating you ll see instant savings on energy bills, whilst it s cleaner and soot free. On top of this, LPG heating is odourless and the system can even be installed underground to save on space. Solid fuel With an LPG heating system you ll have access to instant heat, produced at a cleaner rate and more convenient to deliver. LPG has better versatility, capable of providing heat for cooking, water and space heating. On top of this, you would benefit from reduced maintenance costs and carbon dioxide emissions would also be cut. Electricity With LPG heating, the significant benefit over electricity is that prices remain the same over a 24-hour period. LPG doesn t suffer from peak time penalty rates and also won t be affected by power cuts. With instant responsive heat and being cleaner for the environment, there s no reason not to consider LPG as a viable heating source. TOP TIP: LPG heating is fantastic especially for areas without access to mains gas. Page 7

8 What is a solid fuel boiler? Biomass boilers are an efficient form of heating used to replace the traditional systems. Not only do they burn environmentally friendly products, but they ll help you to reduce your energy bills too. Non biomass boilers burn fuels such as gas and oil to generate heat, meaning more carbon emissions are created and your energy bills are higher. Biomass boilers are just as easy to install in homes, and local councils are now opting for this type of heating system for new builds. Biomass boilers are also an effective way for the Government to meet renewable targets. Biomass boiler information Biomass boilers are notorious for their energy efficiency and can be used for both your central heating and hot water supply. These types of boilers burn renewable fuels that aren t in danger of running out, unlike oil, coal and natural gas. Instead, biomass products include wood chip, wood pellets and crops. With biomass boilers you ll be able to help reduce the damaging effects of global warming. Other renewable products that have the same effect are solar panels and heat pumps. These renewable heating systems can be installed into nearly every home and in most cases will fit into the same place as your old appliance. Commercial biomass boilers would be larger installations designed to provide a far greater heat output. With the burning of biomass products, ash will be created. This can be used to fertilise your garden and needs to be cleaned out every six to eight weeks, depending on how much you use the boiler. Suitability of a biomass boiler A biomass boiler won t be suitable for everyone, so if you re considering an installation you should make sure it s right for your home. First and foremost you ll need a large area in which to store the fuel supply. Whether it s wood pellets or crops you ll have to keep the biomass products somewhere. Building Regulations could become a problem if anything has been detailed for your area. If you re unsure of the regulations for your property or local area, just speak to the council or a local planning officer. No smoking zones also prohibit the use of biomass boilers, and for more information on this visit The flue, which is used to release waste gases into the atmosphere, must also not exceed one metre of your roofline. Otherwise planning permission would be needed. This is the same for domestic biomass boilers in Conservation Areas or World Heritage Sites. TOP TIP: Biomass boilers are an environmentally friendly and efficient form of heating that will also help you reduce your energy bills Page 8

9 What is a wood burner? With a wood-powered burner you can supply heat to a solitary room or even connect it to your property s central heating. Also known as biomass boilers, wood burners convert pellets, chips or logs into heat. With a wood burner for your home s central heating you can save up to 600 a year, as opposed to using electricity. Wood heating benefits A cheaper form of heating Although the cost of wood does vary, it is often a much more affordable form of heating than using gas or electricity. In fact, you could see energy reductions up to 600 a year by utilising this heating source. Old gas and electric boilers can fault unexpectedly, leaving you with expensive repair bills. Government financial support Cut carbon emissions Wood burning is known as a carbon neutral form of heat generation. This is because the levels of carbon dioxide emitted when burned, is the amount absorbed over its lifetime. It s a sustainable form of heating, so long as new plants continue to grow. This is far better for the environment than gas and electric heating, which release emissions and raise a property s carbon footprint. Savings with a wood burner With a wood burner there are savings to be made in both annual energy bills and carbon emissions. By replacing gas heating you ll save up to 100 a year, whilst you ll see a 580 saving by replacing electric. The carbon savings achievable are also substantial, up to 7.5 tonnes when replacing a coal or electric storage system. As part of the Government s efforts to become the greenest ever they have created a variety of funds and support for renewable heating. By investing in a wood burner you could benefit from the Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP), a one off grant for the installation. This is worth 950. On top of this, you could also benefit from the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) which pays out for every unit of renewable heat produced. Fuel replaced Expected saving Expected carbon dioxide saving Electricity 580 a year 7.5 tonnes a year Oil 280 a year 4 tonnes a year LPG 720 a year 3.5 tonnes a year Coal 300 a year 7.5 tonnes a year Gas 100 a year 3 tonnes a year This table suggests the possible savings with a threebedroom semi-detached home. Page 9

Why should I use electric heaters? 60% of the British population are paying 30% more on their electricity bills than they should be and electric heaters are one way of cutting the cost.

10 Why should I use electric heaters? 60% of the British population are paying 30% more on their electricity bills than they should be and electric heaters are one way of cutting the cost. Electric heaters are able to provide a quality form of heating that s both controllable and reliable. What s more you ll have a low running cost compared to other heating appliances and be in full charge of the controls. Electric heaters will remain warm even after being turned off, reducing your bills substantially. On top of this, they re an ideal replacement for those on oil central heating. There ll be little to no charge for the removal of an old system and installation prices start from just a few hundred pounds. Electric storage heaters are common too, using energy during the cheaper night rates and distributing heat as and when it s needed. TOP TIP: Electric heaters will remain warm even after being turned off, reducing your bills substantially Benefits of electric heaters With an electric heater you ll have: Reliability Electric heaters have a greater reliability than other forms of home heating such as gas boilers, which limits the risk of a breakdown. Breakdowns can be a huge inconvenience, costing both time and money to have any issue repaired. On top of this, even once the electric heater has been turned off you ll still be receiving heat in your home. Low running costs Electric storage heaters take energy from the Grid at off peak times, ensuring that the cost of heating is lower as opposed to more traditional forms. Heat is then released throughout the day and night, ensuring warmth. Electric heating is significantly lower than using oil, so a replacement system is advised if you re off the gas grid. Ease of installation Another advantage with wall mounted electric heaters is the easy installation. This is largely down to the fact pipework isn t necessary and low installation costs make it a viable way to assist with your home s heating. There are no restrictions for where it can be installed either. Electric heating companies will often remove the old heating system free of charge and it s an ideal replacement for those on oil. Safety The safety levels of electric heating are another factor, with no fuel burnt on the premises. This means there s no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or any other gas leaking from the unit. On top of this, there isn t the need for annual servicing. Page 10

How can the Renewable Heat Incentive help me? The Government created the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) as a way to promote the uptake of renewables such as biomass boilers.

11 How can the Renewable Heat Incentive help me? The Government created the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) as a way to promote the uptake of renewables such as biomass boilers. Homeowners, communities and businesses wishing to have renewable heat technology installed, will receive financial incentives. This is all building towards the Government s target of having 12% of heat generated from renewable sources by There are two parts to the scheme: The introduction of non-domestic installations for businesses and public sectors The domestic element, set to come into place in the summer of What are the RHI incentives? By receiving the RHI payments you ll be able to pay back the cost of installation every year, whilst saving money on your energy bills too. The key proposals from the Government show: Tariff rates vary depending on the product you have installed. The technology must meet MCS standards including specific emission limits. Technology included under the scheme and expected tariff rates are biomass boilers ( p/kWh), air source heat pumps ( p/kWh), ground source heat pumps ( p/kWh) and solar thermal (17.3p/kWh). Rates will apply seven years from the date the technology is registered onto the RHI scheme The scheme will be even more suited to those currently on the gas grid for their heating. TOP TIP: By receiving the RHI payments you ll be able to pay back the cost of installation every year, whilst saving money on your energy bills too. Page 11

12 Why use Quotatis? The Quotatis service is 100% FREE to people looking for a trade professional. You can use Quotatis to match your job needs with our qualified trade professionals whether it s at home or work. We don t charge you a penny, Quotatis charges our registered trade professionals a small fee for matching your requirements to their skills. All our references come from people like you. To become a Quotatis registered contractor, trade professionals must allow us to vet them and take the names of 3 referees they have done work for. We then check these independently. Their performance is regularly appraised by their new clients, who then report back to us. The only exception to this is when a contractor is a member of a trade association or competent person scheme such as Fensa, Part P & Corgi We do our best to recruit new, vetted trade professionals if we can t provide an immediate match to your requirements. It is possible that some requests in some areas will be difficult to match at first. When this happens, we will do our best to recruit new, vetted trade professionals to meet your needs as quickly as possible. We only give your contact details to a maximum of 5 trades professionals. We give your name and telephone number to no more than five trade professionals, and give their details to you. You can then call them to arrange an appointment. They may also call you. We constantly monitor our trade professionals standards and performance. We monitor our registered trade professionals performance regularly and if their standards fall - we cancel their registration. We don t want you to suffer at the hands of amateurs. It s as simple as that. We have plenty of professionally registered trades people. Most of our registered contractors are members of reputable trade associations or competent person schemes such as Fensa, Part P & Corgi. If you have any issues with the trade professional during the job we can give you the details of the membership body to which they belong. If an issue is discovered after the work has been completed and paid for, we will help you to get the original trade professional to put it right. We take the hassle and uncertainty out of getting the right professional the first time. Picking someone from the phone book can be very time consuming and fruitless if none of your chosen contractors are available. It may even result in you inadvertently using a 'rogue' contractor with all the associated issues. With Quotatis.co.uk you know that each trade professional who contacts you has been vetted, is monitored by happy customers, and is available and qualified to do your job. Quotatis, we ll get you the best quotes first time every time. Page 12

Appendix Useful sites www.combiboiler.net http://boiler.quotatis.co.uk/ www.bestbuyboilers.co.uk www.new-replacement-boiler.co.uk www.boilerquotes.org.uk www.energy-efficient-boiler.

uk/government/organisations/department-of-energy-climatechange Suite 1 Joseph King House Abbey Farm Commercial Park Horsham St Faith Norwich NR10 3JU E-mail :

13 Appendix Useful sites Suite 1 Joseph King House Abbey Farm Commercial Park Horsham St Faith Norwich NR10 3JU info@quotatis.co.uk Tel : Fax : Scan me with your Smartphone to be taken to our website. Copy authorized with consent of Quotatis Ltd. Valid information as 08/2013 Page 13

ULLAPOOL COMMUNITY TRUST RENEWABLE HEAT FOR LOCHBROOM

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