As you may well have seen in the news, the Government are looking for ways to replace Gas Boilers across the UK. The PM has urged that the UK must get homes more green and fast.
The Government will fund £5,000 grants to help homeowners with the cost of installing a heat pump in their home.
- What are heat pumps?
There are two types of heat pumps, Air source heat pump and ground source heat pump.
Air source heat pumps look and work very similar to Air conditioning units, just in reverse. It is extracting heat from the air.
Ground Source heat pumps extract heat from the ground via a network of pipes buried in the garden.
- How much does a heat pump cost?
Well, you may want to sit down here; the cost of supplying and installing an Air Source heat pump can range from £8,000 to £15,000.
A ground source can be even higher, starting at £15,000 up to £30,000! Compared to an average of 2–4 for a boiler replacement!
Please note, you may still need a boiler! as heat pumps may not fulfil all your heating and hot water requirements.
- How much room will a Heat pump take up?
Air source heat pumps are not big appliances; They are generally rectangular, about the size of a Tumble drier or washing machine. They get mounted on the property’s exterior with pipes that enter the building to connect to the internal system.
Ground source heat pumps need more space as they require boreholes to be drilled in the garden and pipes running back to the house to be connected to the pump and equipment. For many UK households, ground source heat pumps will not be the solution.
- What is the Government offering?
The Government have said they will issue grants of £5,000 to those households that install a heat pump. This does not launch till next year ( April 2022) . There are very limited funds available. It is estimated that the grant will help 90,000 heat pumps be installed in the UK. This is a relevantly small amount when you compare it to the boiler sales in 2019 alone, which was well over 1.5 million boilers sold.
- My boiler is broken or unreliable, what should I do?
If you are experiencing problems right now, you are very unlikely to receive any help from what the Government has announced as it doesn’t launch till 2022. Unless you have 10-20 k spare to invest into a green heat pump solution right now, then your best bet would be to get the boiler replaced by a local, family-owned new boiler installation company.
Boris Johnson says: “We’re going to make carbon-free alternatives cheaper to install so that when you or your landlord next come to replace your boiler it makes more sense to go with a cleaner, more efficient replacement that you know will help the planet.”
I really hope this article has helped you understand a few things about heat pumps. Please share it with anyone that you feel may find the information valuable.
If you are based in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire or Buckinghamshire then please visit our website www.yournewboiler.com for a free quote on replacing your boiler.
Boilers are an essential part of our everyday lives. They provide us with central heating to overcome chilly winters and they give us easy access to hot water to clean our dishes and wash our bodies. It’s something that we often take for granted because our boilers tend to just work without much thought, but if you’ve ever experienced a failing or malfunctioning boiler, then you’ll know how just how difficult life can be without a functioning boiler in your home.
Reasons your boiler might need a replacement
You might think that your boiler is working fine at the moment, but there are a couple of reasons why you might want to actually replace it.
- Newer boilers often have better energy savings especially if you’re upgrading from an older model that isn’t very efficient.
- A new boiler installation can offer more water pressure especially if you consider a new combi boiler than can deliver hot water at mains-level pressure without an extra accessory like a pump.
- Boilers tend to last around 10 to 15 years before their efficiency drops, so if you’ve noticed weird quirks with your boiler or if it’s breaking down more regularly, you may want to replace it to lower the risk of future malfunctions.
- Old boilers are fairly large and bulky, so replacing a boiler can offer space savings if you want to free up space in your home. For example, a new combi boiler can heat water when it’s needed while also providing water for a central heating boiler, removing the need for a separate hot water cylinder.
- In most cases, newer boilers cost less to maintain than older ones, meaning that repairs and servicing can cost a lot less in the long run especially if something serious malfunctions with your boiler.
- If you plan to sell or rent your home in the future then improving your home’s energy efficiency will make it more desirable, and this can be achieved with a new and improved boiler that offers better fuel efficiency.
What should you know before getting a new boiler?
Getting a new boiler first relies on an examination of your current boiler. This is to ensure that a boiler replacement is a smart idea and something that can offer you space and money savings in the long run. It’s vital to call out a certified engineer to examine your boiler so they can consider what boiler replacements could be a viable option for your needs.
It’s also a good idea to learn about the different types of boilers.
- Combi boilers heat water as you need them, making them great for space saving.
- Heat-only boilers or conventional boilers can store hot water for later use.
- System boilers are much like heat-only boilers but take up less space.
The type of boiler for your needs will typically be recommended by your engineer, but it’s still a good idea to understand the pros and cons of each one to help you make a more informed decision.
Why choose Bedfordshire Boilers Ltd
If you live in the Luton or Dunstable area then Bedfordshire Boilers Ltd is the perfect choice for having a new boiler installed. We are dedicated to providing our customers with the highest level of service and quality and are second to none in the Luton and Dunstable area. We offer competitive prices and a hassle-free experience to ensure that the installation is smooth, and we offer follow-up maintenance services to ensure your boiler is always operating at peak performance.
A boiler provides heat and/or hot water to a property using one of a few different types of energy. Many boilers are gas boilers, while some might use oil or even solar power. There are also different types of boiler that work in different ways. When you’re trying to decide on a new boiler in Luton, you need to understand the difference between the types of boiler that you have available. The main choices are a conventional or regular boiler, a combi boiler, and a system boiler. These boilers can all be good choices for your home, but first you should understand the differences between them and the pros and cons that they each offer.
Conventional Boiler
A conventional (or sometimes regular) boiler has a water tank for storing hot water. The water is heated and kept warm in the tank until it’s used. It is also called a heat-only boiler.
The pros of a conventional boiler
One benefit of a conventional boiler is that it can be useful for high demands for hot water. Although it provides hot water from a tank and not on demand, this means that it can provide for high demands without affecting the water pressure. For example, multiple people could take a shower at the same time without it causing any problems. A regular boiler can be useful for older heating systems too. It usually keeps radiators topped up at low pressure, using a feed and expansion tank. This protects older heating systems that might not be able to handle the high pressure of other boiler types. Conventional boilers are also usually the best choice for renewable energy products, such as heat pumps and solar energy.
The cons of a conventional boiler
A conventional boiler takes up more space than other types of boiler. It requires an extra tank to hold water, which usually goes in the loft. This can be a significant disadvantage if you don’t want to give up that space. Older models of conventional boilers tend to be less energy efficient, but if you’re choosing a new boiler, they are now more efficient than they used to be. However, there is usually some heat loss from the stored water. Hot water is also not supplied on demand. It needs to be heated in advance, and it’s possible to run out if you use too much hot water at once.
A conventional boiler offers both pros and cons. Even though more modern options exist, it can still sometimes be the best choice.
Combi Boiler
A combination or combi boiler doesn’t need hot water cylinders, which usually means it is more compact. It provides hot water on demand when you turn your heating on or turn on a hot tap (or your shower).
Pros of a combi boiler
Combi boilers are usually quicker to install due to having fewer parts, which is a bonus for a lot of people looking for a boiler replacement in Luton. A combi boiler doesn’t require a separate tank in the loft because all necessary components are combined into one unit. This saves a lot of space, leaving you with more storage space, and gives you hot water on demand. Combi boilers run on mains pressure, so you can have a powerful shower without needing to boost it with another pump.
Cons of a combi boiler
One of the advantages of a combi boiler can also be a disadvantage. Being limited by the maximum pressure that your mains can offer means that it could be stretched thin. Anyone who has more than one bathroom or who is likely to be running lots of taps or showers at the same time could notice that the pressure drops off. That might not be true for everyone, but it is a possibility. Not having a hot water tank can also be a disadvantage. It means that if your boiler fails, you won’t have any reserve hot water, and you will need to wait until the boiler is fixed before you can have access to hot water again.
A combi boiler is often best for smaller properties with only one bathroom, including flats. There can be some disadvantages, but for many homes, it’s the most efficient option and the easiest to install. They’re a modern option, allowing you to save space and save money too.
System Boiler
A system boiler is similar to a conventional boiler. However, it has more components built into it, which means it takes up less space. A system boiler doesn’t require space for a separate hot water tank in the loft.
Pros of a system boiler
A system boiler is capable of providing hot water to several sources at once without causing the water pressure to drop. This makes them suitable for larger homes and properties that have more than one bathroom. System boilers heat water in advance, which means they’re less demanding when it comes to water pressure. The hot water is ready to go when you need it. It also takes up less space than a conventional boiler, while offering some of the same benefits at the same time. Cold water tanks are not required with system boilers, helping you to save space. Another benefit is that a system boiler can be a good choice to use with renewable energy sources, such as a solar water heater.
Cons of a system boiler
Like a conventional boiler, a system boiler only heats water in advance. This means that if you run out, you have to wait for more hot water to be heated. You might also have your boiler on a timer to heat water when you need it most. However, if you can’t predict when you will need hot water, this might not be suitable. Although a system boiler can save space compared to a conventional boiler, it still requires more space than a combi boiler.
When choosing a boiler, think about your needs. The size of your property and your habits will make a difference to which is the best choice.