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Condensing boilers will improve your home’s eco values and reduce your carbon footprint

Condensing boilers, in a nutshell, are far more efficient than standard boilers. Typically, they convert 90 per cent and upwards of energy into heat (compared to an old boiler whose efficiency can be as little as 60 per cent). This is because they recover extra heat that would otherwise have disappeared up the flue. In fact, exceptional circumstances aside, all new gas and oil central-heating boilers must be A or B rated for their efficiency (rather like kitchen white goods), and at the moment only condensing boilers achieve this. Boilers account for around 60 per cent of a home’s CO2 output, so you’re substantially reducing your carbon footprint, too.

It’s essential you use a heating engineer with a proven track record, and it’s worth getting
lots of advice on reliability.

Above: The Greenstar A-rated condensing boiler, from Worcester Bosch, is highly efficient.

PROS

Straight swap (probably) for your existing gas or oil boiler, usually the most cost-effective option.
You could save up to a third on energy bills.

CONS

You’re still burning fossil fuels, with all their negative political and environmental issues.
Condensing boilers are highly complex and have been dogged with reliability problems.