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It is thought that condensing boilers are 88% efficient, and among the most cost effective boilers available to consumers. This new improved success means that all new boilers in England and Wales have to be condensing boilers, unless there are some very exceptional circumstances.

Hot water heating devices use either gas or oil to heat water that is then used to heat a house. When fuel is used to heat water a certain amount of water vapour is given off. In older boiler types, water would escape, not only through the unit itself, but also through ‘flues’ fitted at the back.  These flues are responsible for much escaped heat loss to the surrounding atmosphere.

This loss of water vapour is also an added expense to the bill payer: you are effectively being charged for heating the air.

Condensing boilers are cleverly designed to keep as much energy within the unit as possible. In condensing boilers the heated water vapour, escaping from the back of the unit, is used to help heat the air flowing into the boiler. This creates a double action, both of which save energy.

Firstly, escaping heat is extracted from the water vapour and retained in the actual boiler. Secondly, incoming air is heated and reused to heat more water. This whole process takes place in the ‘heat extractor’. This is a very simple, yet extremely clever, way of overcoming the problem of excessive heat loss.  Also, with the reusing of the escaping heat, fuel use is lower, and therefore the cost of the bill is similarly reduced.

Not only does this have an impact on the cost of fuel to heat a house, but it t also has a positive impact on the overall fuel consumption of the country. In this way condensing boilers are better for the environment as a whole. This is because the CO2 emissions are lower; in this way condensing boilers are helping the government’s aim to reduce CO2 emission in general in this country by 20% in the year 2008.

There are two drawbacks, both of which can be solved fairly easily.

Firstly, the newer condensing boilers are more expensive than the older gas boilers.  However, once installed savings will be immediate. This means that after a while the condensing boiler will have paid for itself.  The second drawback is that there are fewer qualified engineers capable of installing and repairing the unit.

However, if you approach a major company that specialise in gas applications and boiler installation such as British Gas, this won’t be a problem.  These companies will have many qualified engineers ready to help. British Gas, for example, has 5,500 CORGI Registered Engineers on call throughout the year. They also provide homecare insurance to protect your boiler against future disrepair.