Boilers and heating

Nowadays, new boilers in the UK are all required to be ‘condensing’ boilers, which are at least 90% energy efficient.  

So, if you are having a new gas boiler fitted, you can rest assured that it will be an efficient condensing boiler. Older models, however, which are still being used in many homes throughout the UK, can fall as low as 60% on the energy efficiency rating. 

It is advisable to consider replacing older boilers, to not only help to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions but also to save on energy bills. 

Further information can be found here¹. 

Energy efficiency of your gas boiler 

The Energy Related Products Directive² can help you to measure the efficiency of boilers in the UK. 

Seasonal Efficiency of a Domestic Boiler in the UK (SEDBUK) was the main metric used to assess boilers in the UK from 1999 to 2015. 

The Energy related Products Directive (ErP) replaced SEDBUK in 2015. 

The ErP Directive was implemented to improve energy efficiency and set targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

Under the ErP standards, boilers are labelled from A+++ to G, with A+++ being the most efficient. 

As most modern condensing boilers have an A rating, some manufacturers and homeowners still find it preferable to compare the SEDBUK efficiency percentage (70-92%) to evaluate boilers. 

When purchasing a new boiler, opting for a model with a high energy-efficiency rating can significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, saving you money and helping the environment. 

Efficient alternatives 

Although modern boilers are more efficient than their predecessors, there are other heating-system alternatives which are more environmentally friendly than gas or oil boilers.  

These include: 

• Air-source heat pumps 
• Ground-source heat pumps 
• Biomass boilers 

The government currently offers grants to help cover some of the costs of replacing fossil-fuelled heating systems. You can find out more about this on the government website³. 

More information on these eco-friendly options is also available in our common projects section⁴. 

Energy Performance Certificates

You can find out how efficient your home is overall by getting an Energy Performance Certificate. You can obtain one of these from an accredited tradesperson. 

Discussing sustainability, durability, and longevity concerns with the tradespeople carrying out the work is essential for your project's success. Find a trusted trade professional using our handy online tool⁵.

1. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/energy-saving/heating-and-hot-water
2. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1034456/energy-related-products-policy-framework.pdf
3. https://www.gov.uk/apply-boiler-upgrade-scheme
4. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects
5. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/find-a-trade-professional