If you’re looking to upgrade your home, think about replacing your boiler before you do anything else. According to GreenMatch, new boilers are more efficient than older models because they use less energy, which ultimately can save you money on energy bills this winter.
Because natural gas is a key driver of this global inflation, the development of a new solution to both the energy crisis and climate crisis has become a top priority. Some have turned to electric cars, renewable energy, solar panels, and simply reducing gas consumption by carpooling or taking public transportation.
One home solution that is often overlooked that can reduce your gas use by up to 20% annually is getting a new boiler. That translates to up to $600 a year in savings.
But, one reason why people don’t want to replace their boilers is because they think it will be expensive. However, when factoring in the benefits of a new boiler, many homeowners find that it actually ends up saving them money in the long run.
Why you should replace your boiler?
We all want to save money on our energy bills and it’s a great idea to use less heating all year round. But during the winter, when heating is a necessity, we should focus on making our boiler as efficient as possible to reduce costs.
There are two main factors to consider when it comes to energy efficiency. The first is that when boiler systems are new, they work just fine. But, boilers are not built to last forever. After a few years, they start to get less efficient and more expensive to operate. In fact, a boiler can lose up to 30% after 10 years, according to GreenMatch.
The second factor is that if your boiler is 10-15 years old, it may not be using the latest condensing boiler technology. This can make it less energy efficient and more expensive to operate than a new condensing boiler would be.
But how do you know when your boiler needs to be replaced?
The good news is that there are several signs that you should look out for to know when your boiler needs replacing.
- You should replace your boiler when it gets too old, is less efficient, or is not meeting your energy demands anymore. For instance, if you have an older system that doesn’t put out enough heat.
- If you’ve had a boiler for more than 15 years, you’d better start thinking of replacing it before it becomes too expensive to repair or maintain.
- When a boiler is nearing the end of its life span, it might start leaking or making strange noises. You’ll also notice an increase in energy bills as the efficiency decreases over time.
The lifespan of a boiler depends on how well it’s been looked after. If you haven’t had your boiler serviced regularly, its lifespan could be shorter than normal.
New Boiler Costs
When it comes to the upfront costs of replacing your boiler, it can be expensive. According to GreenMatch, you can expect the average cost to be between £500 and £3,000. That’s because there are several factors specific to your home that are at play. These include factors such as: what boiler type you have already, how complex the installation is, and how large of a boiler you need.
The good news is that you may qualify for one of the government grant schemes that are in place to help cover the upfront costs of replacing old and inefficient boilers with newer technology.
Here are some of the current government grants/schemes you should be aware of:
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme
- Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
- Working From Home Tax Relief
- Boiler Replacement Scheme (Northern Ireland only)
- VAT reduction
In the meantime: insulate your home
While you’re waiting for the boiler installer to come to your home, here are a few fast tips to save on heating and reduce your energy bill.
- Insulate your home – Insulating your home can reduce heat loss by up to 50%. Some easy ways to start insulating your home include sealing the crack beneath your doors, hanging up heavy curtains, and applying window film.
- Seal up drafts – Make sure all windows are double-glazed and doors are fitted with draft excluders.
- Switch off appliances at night – It’s not just the TV that uses electricity! Even if you don’t have a standby light on your fridge or freezer, try switching them off at night as well as other appliances that don’t need to be left on (lights, chargers etc).
- Invest in energy-efficient appliances – If you’re buying new appliances such as washing machines or fridges, make sure they use less energy than those already in your home (check out Which? for their ratings). Also, try to buy products made from renewable materials such as wood or bamboo which come from sustainable sources so they won’t contribute to deforestation or climate change.
