
How To Make Your Boiler More Efficient And Reduce Energy Usage
The UK has long been known as “the cold man of Europe,” and is a poor performer in terms of energy efficiency. The North-East of England is particularly hard hit when it comes to energy bills. To find out how to make your boiler more efficient, please read on.
Annual Servicing And Maintenance
Annual servicing and maintenance is one of the best ways to guarantee an efficient boiler. Servicing can spot tiny problems before they become expensive issues, and can resolve minor pressure fluctuations that can lead to soaring costs. Qualified heating engineers with MCS accreditation are always looking for ways to reduce energy usage, so getting your boiler checked is an excellent way to find out how efficient your boiler is.
Reducing Flow Temperature
Boilers are most efficient when their temperature is as low as possible. Reducing the flow temperature is one way to achieve this. The flow temperature is the temperature of the water that runs to the radiator, and back to the boiler. When cooler water enters the boiler, it reduces the stress on the system, leading to a more efficient boiler.
Insulation
Insulation is one of the best ways to make your boiler more efficient. Insulation techniques include covering your hot water cylinder and pipework with fibreglass lagging jackets. Lagging jackets that conform to BSS standards have been shown to reduce heat loss by up to 60%. The result of this cost-effective solution is a much more efficient heating system, and a green stamp of approval for environmental friendliness.
Summer Switch On
All machines are vulnerable to seizing up if they are not used for months at a time. Boilers are no exception. Just like turning over the engine of a car, switching on your boiler for 15-20 minutes during the summer months is a very simple and cost-effective way to reduce the risk of your boiler breaking. An added bonus of switching your boiler on during the summer is that it helps with regular maintenance, such as keeping an eye on pressure changes, ensuring your boiler is winter-ready.
System Cleanse
All water systems are vulnerable to the build-up of sludge, rust, and debris. This can create blockages that put stress on the system, forcing the boiler to work harder than it needs to. Small volumes of debris can lead to an overall dip in efficiency, while major blockages can lead to significant damage. A good solution to this is a professional power flush, which will cleanse the system and ensure it is working at maximum efficiency.
Modern Boiler
As technology improves, so does boiler efficiency. If your boiler is more than ten years old, often the best way to make it more efficient is simply to replace it. Modern, energy-efficient condensing boilers are an excellent choice. The design of modern condensing boilers captures and re-uses heat. This puts fewer demands on the system, leading to a much more efficient boiler.
Find Out More
As an MCS accredited company, Nicholson Heating are always looking for the latest ways to make boilers more efficient. To find out more about how greater energy efficiency could help reduce your heating bills, please get in touch with Nicholson Heating.
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