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What Are the Most Efficient Boilers?

Beth Howell
Written By
Updated on 26 January 2023

When buying a boiler, consider the cost, performance, and the overall efficiency

Replacing an inefficient boiler can save you hundreds of pounds every year

To get a bespoke quote for an efficient boiler, fill in the form above

We all like to think that we’re not entirely reliant on technology, but the harsh reality is, our homes truly dependent on our boilers. Life without an efficient boiler can be difficult, so if your boiler is barely trundling along anymore, it might be time to start researching new boiler costs.

There are many benefits to getting a new boiler, including having a warmer home, cheaper bills, and a smaller carbon footprint. And with new laws in place regarding boiler efficiency, the cost of a high-efficiency machine isn’t much more than that of a standard one. Everybody wins!

If you’re fairly new to this boiler business, don’t worry – we’ll guide you through everything you need to know. On the other hand, if you think of yourself as a bit of a home heating wizz, why not skip the reading and complete our short form? Once you’ve entered your details, our professional installers will be in touch with free quotes for new, efficient boilers.

There are a few different ways you can check the efficiency of a boiler.

The most obvious way is to check its SEDBUK (Seasonal Efficiency of a Domestic Boiler in the UK) rating, which is always displayed as a percentage – the higher the percentage, the better. From April 2018, all boilers that are installed in the UK must have an EPR rating of 92%.

Did You Know

Roughly a third of boilers on the market fall below the 92% standard, so make sure you check a model’s efficiency rating before getting one fitted.

More recently, boiler efficiency has also been measured by an ERP (energy-related product) rating. ERP ratings work by grading products on a scale from A to G – A being the best, G being the worst. Nowadays, most modern boilers are rated A, whereas you’ll find that your old, worn-out boiler will be more in the D-G territory.

Looking for a new boiler? Our guide on how much does a new boiler cost has all the information you’ll need.

Before we go into specific boiler models and makes, let’s discuss the different types of boiler. Some work much more efficiently than others, and consequently cut more carbon emissions.

In fact, if everyone with gas central heating installed a new condensing boiler, the UK would save over 13 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. This is the equivalent of the annual emissions of over 2 million homes!

Now that we’ve distinguished how much of a difference the type and the age of a boiler can contribute to its efficiency, let’s move onto models!

Each type of boiler comes in an array of different shapes and sizes, provided by different brands. But which ones deliver the goods?

Below, we’ve listed the most efficient model for each boiler category. 

Type of boiler

Model

Size

Efficiency rating

Electric EHC Fusion 36 KW 100%
Combi Viessmann Vitodens 200-W 35 KW 98%
Central heating Viessmann Vitodens 200-W 35 KW 98%
System Vitodens 100-W 35 KW 97%
Conventional Ideal Evomax 40 KW 96.20%
Oil Grant VortexBlue Internal 36 KW 94.6%
Biomass Grant Spira (& 200kg single hopper and feed auger) 36 KW 93.1%
Gas Worcester Bosch Greenstar System CDI 34 KW 92%

Figures from PlumbNation and company websites

As this table implies, if you’re debating getting a new gas boiler, you might want to think again. An electric boiler, on the other hand, will heat your home efficiently without putting the planet in danger. It’s a win-win.

Although none of these options are on the lower end of the price scale, a more efficient boiler is likely to last longer – so choose wisely.

There are two key benefits to getting a more efficient boiler: it will decrease your carbon footprint, and save you money on your energy bills. But just how much money will you save by upgrading your boiler?

Below, we’ve outlined the annual energy bill savings you can expect from upgrading a D-G-rated boiler to a new condensing boiler, based on the type of property being heated. Head to your specific property type to see how much you could be saving…

Type of property: Bungalow

Boiler rating

Annual savings

D £250
E £275
F £310
G £445

Type of property: Mid-terrace house

Boiler rating

Annual savings

D £235
E £260
F £290
G £420

Type of property: Semi-detached house

Boiler rating

Annual savings

D £305
E £335
F £380
G £540

Type of property: Detached house

Boiler rating

Annual savings

D £375
E £460
F £590
G £840

Prices sourced from the Energy Saving Trust

Yes! Boilers are rather needy things – they require lots of tender love and care. But if they’re treated well, they’ll repay you with years of warmth and comfort.

Check out our top tips on how to maintain the efficiency of your boiler.

Wrap your boiler up

Give your boiler an extra layer to keep the heat in. Just as we sometimes need a jumper or coat to keep us warm, your boiler needs an extra layer of insulation to lock in its heat.

This way, your boiler won’t have to work so hard, and you’ll save money heating your home. All you have to do is install simple, easy-fit foam tubes around the central heating pipes.

Annual service checks

A professional can usually spot boiler issues before the problems arise, so make sure you get your boiler serviced regularly to stay on top of any oncoming issues. If you address issues sooner rather than later, your boiler will thank you in the long run, providing you with many more years of service.

Keep it clean

By giving your boiler a wipe-down every now and then, you’ll prevent its pipes from getting clogged up. Your boiler should also not live in a cluttered environment, as it would ideally have access to ventilation.

Top up the pressure

Keep an eye on your boiler pressure. If the pressure is too high or low, then your boiler won’t be performing as well as it could be. If you’re unsure of how to adjust the pressure, head over to our boiler pressure page.

If your boiler pressure is too high, you’ll need to bleed your radiators. To work out if your radiators need bleeding, fire up the heating and see if any take a while to warm up, or have cold spots at the top.

Use a powerflush

Over time, your pipes and radiators can get clogged up, leading to a less efficient boiler. Eventually, this build-up may also cause corrosion – a much bigger (and more expensive) issue to put right. To avoid this, get a powerflush to wipe away any build-up of sludge. You should get a Gas Safe Engineer to do this for you, rather than attempting it on your own.

Turn the heating on

Similar to when you’ve not exercised for a while, if a boiler is left off for too long, it will seize up. Switching your heating on once a week during the warmer months (for just 15 minutes or so) will keep it ticking over nicely. Such a simple solution!

If you look after your boiler well enough, it will reward you with up to 15 years of reciprocated care. It will keep you warm, keep the energy bills low, and keep your carbon footprint even smaller. 

Each house works in its own quirky way. If your boiler is looking a bit outdated and in need of a fresh replacement, it’s best to compare the best boiler options for your home – which is where we come in.

Our local professionals can help you compare quotes to get the perfect boiler. Once you’ve filled out our short form, they’ll be in touch shortly with quotes to compare. It’s time to make the most of your boiler!

Written by

Beth Howell

Beth has written for The Eco Experts for over three years, combining her journalistic skills with her knowledge of the environmental industry, garnering thousands of readers along the way.

With her articles covering a range of environmental topics – from solar panel suggestions to the future of green tech, environmental news to heat pump recommendations – Beth really does have the know-how when it comes to environmental living.

Since joining The Eco Experts team, her work has been featured in various publications, such as The BBC, Forbes, The Express, Greenpeace, and in multiple academic journals. She has also attended Grand Designs Live as a Green Living Expert, providing tailored advice to members of the public about heat pumps and solar panels.

Her level of expertise has grown vastly over the years, after delving deep into complex analysis pieces, such as The Most Polluting Industries, What Is Carbon Capture And Does It Actually Work?, and Is Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Gas?

You can contact Beth via email at bethany.howell@theecoexperts.co.uk

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