The heat is on

Kate Hobson discusses Boiler Plus — the government response to the Heat in Buildings consultation — and how it will affect consumers

This article was originally published in the April 2018 issue of Adviser magazine and was correct at the date of publishing.

From 6 April 2018, new Boiler Plus¹ standards — written into the Building Regulations framework — will apply to all gas and oil boilers installed in England, whether as a new installation or a replacement for an existing boiler. The standards are being introduced by the government to improve the way people use energy in their homes by giving them greater choice, greater control, and tangible savings on their energy bills.

There are an estimated 9 million inefficient boilers installed in UK homes. These inefficient boilers cost consumers more to run and emit higher levels of carbon dioxide than modern condensing boilers.²

Heating accounts for about 60% of annual spend on energy bills, so having an efficient boiler makes a big difference. The costs for replacing a boiler will vary, but a straightforward boiler replacement plus thermostatic radiator controls will typically cost around £2,300 excluding radiators for a gas boiler and around £3,000 for an oil boiler.³ A boiler replacement may be installed into an existing hot water system or form part of a new heating and hot water system.

Installing an energy efficient boiler can save households money, and effective use of controls can minimise energy consumption by ensuring the right temperature for comfort, while avoiding overheating.

The standards do not require anyone to change their boiler, but they raise expectations for boilers so that, if and when they replace theirs, consumers can be confident that they are investing in an efficient product that will keep their bills as low as possible.

Boiler Plus standards

Gas and oil boiler replacements must have a device that enables the consumer to:

• programme the system to come on and off at set times; and
• set the temperature to achieve the greatest comfort in the home.

Replacement gas boilers must meet a new energy efficiency standard of 92% ErP.⁴ ErP stands for Energy-related Products and is an efficiency rating which will be included in the ErP swing label that manufacturers are required to affix to all products that consume energy or involve energy consumption.

An additional energy efficiency measure will be mandatory when a gas combination boiler is installed in a domestic property. This requirement is flexible to allow a suitable choice to be made that reflects the nature of the building and the needs of the household (see decision flowchart). The energy-saving technologies that can be used to comply are:

• flue gas heat recovery systems;
• weather compensation;
• load compensation; and
• smart controls with automation and optimisation functions.

Boiler Plus standards are in addition to current standards

When a boiler is being replaced, the existing system must be cleaned and flushed and a chemical water treatment added to control corrosion and prevent scale and sludge forming.

When a new heating system is installed, individual radiator valves (thermostatic radiator valves) are mandatory. These control the temperature of a room by changing the flow of hot water to the radiator.

For boiler replacements and new system installations, installers must hydraulically balance the system so that all radiators get as warm as each other. This is a process of testing performance and making adjustments so that the system uses no more fuel and power than is necessary.

Installers must also make sure the consumer knows how to use the boiler installed.

Other factors to consider when replacing a boiler

As well as budget, consumers need to consider the type of boiler best suited to their property, as determined by the size of their household and their demand for, and use of, heating and hot water. Space — where the boiler will be installed, or whether or not there will be a hot water tank — is also relevant, as is the appeal of smart products, as the benefit can only be gained when the device is used in the intended way. These are the types of questions an installer will discuss before making any recommendations.

Good practice is to get three written quotes from different installers before making a decision. The installer must be registered with Gas Safe for gas boilers and using an OFTEC registered installer is recommended for oil fired boilers. All paperwork should be retained to evidence compliance with Building Regulations. This may include a Benchmark installation checklist,⁵ which some boiler manufacturers require to validate the warranty they provide. The checklist is a good way for consumers to be sure their installer has done everything they were supposed to.

Boiler replacement is just one way of reducing energy usage. Other options vary in cost, time to implement and potential saving. The Energy Saving Advice Service website offers independent advice and information on ways to save energy in the home.⁶

Kate Hobson is a consumer expert in the Expert Advice Team at Citizens Advice and is consumer subject editor on the Adviser Editorial Board

Endnotes

1. Boiler Plus final policy and consultation response
2. http://www.hhic.org.uk/
3. http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/home-energy-efficiency/boiler-replacement
4. Energy-related Products Directive 2009/125/EC
5. A scheme run by the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council to raise standards in installation, commissioning and servicing
6. http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/home-energy-efficiency