Central Heating Systems
Heating accounts for about 60 per cent of what you spend in a year on energy bills. Having an efficient boiler makes a big difference.
If your current gas boiler is non condensing then, depending on it age, it may be between 60% and 78% efficient. Currently the Home Energy Loan Scotland scheme offers a 0% Loan and 25% cashback.
If you have been thinking about replacing your boiler then now may the ideal time to do it.
Central heating fuel type
If you have mains gas, a gas boiler is likely to be the cheapest heating option.
If you don’t have a gas supply to your home, it might be worth considering a form of low carbon heating such as a heat pump or biomass. With the renewable heat incentive these may be a cheaper overall solution.
Alternatively you may want to get a gas connection to your home. The company that owns and operates the gas network in your area may be able to help with the cost of getting a new connection, and it may even be fully funded.
Contact Energy Networks Association for further information.
Central heating boiler type
Most old gas and oil boilers are regular boilers that have a separate hot water cylinder to store hot water, rather than providing it directly from the boiler. When you replace your boiler you can buy a new regular boiler, and keep your hot water cylinder, or buy a combi boiler that doesn’t need a cylinder.
A regular boiler is more efficient than a combi at producing hot water in the first place, but then some heat is lost from the hot water cylinder, so a combi may be more efficient overall.
Compatibility with solar water heating
If you’re thinking of installing solar water heating, it’s worth noting that many combi boilers are not compatible with this heating system or cannot use it so effectively.
Finding a central heating installer
You can find registered installers on the gas safe register and OFTEC register for oil installers. We can also assist with finding local installers so please contact us for any recommendations/contact details.
We would always recommend obtaining 2-3 quotations.
