Many commentators have been pointing out for a long time that we need to take greater care of our environment as global warming is becoming more prominent. Greenhouse gases, extreme weather conditions, amongst other differences in climate are all contributing to the unhealthy environment we are living in.

A fact that often goes by unnoticed is that an estimated 25% of the UK’s carbon emissions are coming from our own homes. A staggering 70% of these emissions come from the energy we use to provide heat and hot water. So what can be done about this? Installing high efficiency boilers is a first important step. High efficiency boilers are useful for a number of purposes. They are 90% more efficient, meaning that over 90% of gas consumed when the burner is firing is converted into heat for the heating and hot water system.

This is in stark contrast to many of the older boilers, which operate at a 70-75% efficiency, some even being as low as 50%. Consequently, the impact on the wider environment is much more than high efficiency boilers.

So if you are faced with a choice which one do you choose? Each individual circumstance is different, and if you find that your boiler is quite old, you will need to make a decision on whether or not you think it may be worth investing in a high efficiency boiler.

The first consideration will be the cost factor. Most home-owners are deterred from installing a high efficiency boiler due to the high installation charges and the cost of the appliance. They would prefer to keep spending a little more money to repair the boiler rather than replace the whole thing all together. However, it is important to weigh the short-term costs against the long-term costs. If your boiler is not that old, than it can be repaired and have its efficiency improved. However, it might not be worth investing in money to repair a faulty boiler, as it may still create problems for you further down the line. You may end up spending more money on repairing the boiler rather than buying a new one.

As well as saving money on fuel bills, installing a high efficiency boiler will mean that you would be helping the government’s target of reducing carbon emissions by 20% by 2010.

How much money could I save?

If you are concerned about saving money than you should note that using a high efficiency boiler with heating controls could save you between 190 and 240 a year or around one third of your heating bills straight away. In addition, if you manage to install the correct heating controls, you could potentially save up to 40% of your bills.

The average lifespan of a boiler is 10-15 years. If you feel the timer is finally running out for your boiler, it is advisable to shop around for a new high efficiency boiler.