Everyone will agree that there are many benefits related to replacing your old gas boiler with a new high efficiency condensing model. For example, even the very best non-condensing gas boilers that are in perfect running order operate at an efficiency level of, at most, 70% (the vast majority of non-condensing boilers have a considerably lower efficiency rating). By contrast, a modern A-rated high-efficiency gas condensing boiler can run at efficiency levels of up to 98%.
How much money will I save on heating bills if I upgrade my Gas Boiler?
A gas boiler’s efficiency rating directly translates into monetary savings. In other words, if you replace a gas boiler that runs at 65% efficiency with a high efficiency condensing unit that has an efficiency rating of 98% you will be using 33% less fuel to heat your home, meaning your total heating bill for the year will be reduced by a third.
When you consider that gas prices increased in October, bringing the rise in gas fuel costs since 2011 to over 32%, replacing your old gas boiler with a high efficiency condensing unit will bring your heating bill down to the same level that it was at three years ago – a massive saving!
How can I save money when replacing my Gas Boiler?
One of the main things putting people off replacing their old gas boilers is the perceived high cost of purchasing a gas boiler upgrade and installing the new high efficiency condensing boiler itself. Fortunately, there are a number of ways in which you can greatly reduce this cost:
SEAI Grants
The SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) offer two main types of grant which can be availed of when upgrading your gas boiler. When having a full gas heating system upgrade undertaken, which involves getting in a high efficiency condensing boiler as well as heating controls installed, you can save a massive €560 off the cost of the job.
If you do not need to replace your boiler you can still avail of a SEAI grant of up to €400 should you decide to have heating controls installed. Heating controls will allow you to take better control of when and how your home heating system is operated, which means you can further reduce the price of your fuel bills by not letting any gas go to waste.
Building Energy Rating Grant (BER)
The Building Energy Rating (BER) process involves calculating how much energy your home uses up and how much carbon it produces on a yearly basis. All homes in Ireland, whether they are purchased or rented, must have a BER certificate. When seeking to improve your home’s energy efficiency you can apply for a BER grant up to the value of €80.
Gas Boiler Scrappage Deal
When getting a new high efficiency condensing boiler installed, it can sometimes be a problem to dispose of your old gas boiler properly. That’s why DeWAR Gas & Oil Service offers a special gas boiler scrappage deal where we take away your old boiler and see that it gets recycled. As an incentive for this environmentally friendly means of disposing of old gas boilers, DeWAR offers a discount of €350 off the price of a gas boiler replacement if you choose to avail of this service.
Please note that the gas boiler scrappage deal is not available in conjunction with SEAI grants.
Oil Boiler Upgrade – Knowing When you Need One
A complete oil boiler upgrade service is a rather large undertaking so homeowners need to be certain that it will be worth the time, energy and investment.
The ability to run an energy efficient and economically sustainable household is a consideration of growing importance for homeowners. One of the chief concerns in relation to these topics is that of a home’s oil boiler. A domestic oil boiler is responsible for the vast majority of fuel used up in a home, ensuring that your oil boiler is up to the task at hand is of the utmost importance.
In many cases, some routine oil boiler maintenance and servicing or modest repairs will be enough to ensure this. However, in other cases, such measures will not be enough to get a home running to its optimum levels of fuel and energy efficiency and a full oil boiler upgrade may be required.
Do I Need An Oil Boiler Upgrade?
A complete oil boiler replacement service is a rather large undertaking so homeowners need to be certain that it will be worth the time, energy and investment needed to carry one out. There are a great many variables which come into play when considering the prospect of upgrading an oil boiler. Here are some of the most commonly aired queries in relation to oil boiler replacement services:
Is My Oil Boiler An Efficient Enough Model?
Not all oil boilers are created equal, with some brands and models being significantly more energy and fuel efficient than others. The very best oil boilers that money can buy are referred to as A-Rated High-Efficiency Condensing Boilers.
Generally speaking, any oil boiler which converts upward of 80% of its fuel into usable heating energy is considered a high-efficiency boiler (The Worcester Bosch oil boilers supplied by DeWAR Gas & Oil Service are upward of 90% fuel efficient). If your oil boiler runs at 80% efficiency or more then there is no real need to have it replaced as the savings on fuel which you make will not be particularly high. Oil boilers with less than 80% fuel efficiency should probably be replaced. The less efficiently an oil boiler operates, the better off you will be replacing it.
Is Your Oil Boiler Running Efficiently?
Just because your oil boiler is of a good model from a recognised brand, it does not mean that it will burn fuel at its total quoted efficiency percentage. If not looked after properly, oil boilers are susceptible to deteriorating in terms of fuel efficiency. In order to ensure that your oil boiler is converting fuel into usable heating energy at its optimum levels of efficiency, you should have it serviced by a professional, preferably OFTEC certified, engineer on an annual basis.
Is Your Oil Boiler Prone to Breaking Down?
Servicing your oil boiler regularly not only ensures that it is converting fuel into usable heating energy; it also greatly reduces the risk of your boiler breaking down entirely. However, such oil boiler servicing can only do so much. If an oil boiler is particularly old then it is inevitable that it will have deteriorated in terms of efficiency somewhat. When this happens, not only do the boiler’s efficiency levels decrease but the chances of boiler breakdown occurring also increase significantly. When oil boilers start to break down regularly, they become an expensive nuisance to keep in proper working order and are generally better off being replaced entirely instead of having go through all the trouble of getting them repaired constantly.
How Much Does Your Oil Boiler Cost to Repair?
In some cases, oil boilers can be relatively quick, easy and inexpensive to repair. However, in most scenarios, the oil boilers which are breaking down are quite old. It can be fairly difficult (and also very expensive) to source suitable replacement parts for such oil boilers. When considering oil boiler repairs you must weigh up the costs, particularly when the boiler is breaking down relatively frequently.
Generally speaking, once an oil boiler has been in use for 15 years the game is up and its fuel converting efficiency levels have deteriorated to the point where a full oil boiler replacement service becomes the best option available to you.
Are Heating Controls Worth Getting Installed for Oil Boilers?
In short, yes! There are numerous benefits associated with having heating controls installed in relation to your oil boiler. Such heating controls will allow you more control over your home’s central heating system, allowing you to manage it according to your own specific requirements. Most importantly of all though, if used correctly, heating controls can bring down the cost of home heating bills by as much as 20% – a substantial saving.
Generally speaking, installing heating controls is a cheaper alternative to a full oil boiler replacement service. However, for the very best savings in terms of fuel and energy bills, it is advised that you avail of both in order to maximise your oil boiler and central heating system’s fuel converting capabilities.
Are there any Grants Available for an Oil Boiler Upgrade ?
Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to monetary relief when getting an oil boiler upgrade service. It is worth taking the time to liaise with the SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) in order to see what you. You could potentially be eligible for a significant amount of funding under their BEH (Better Energy Homes) grant scheme. Visit the SEAI’s grants page for more information.
Annual Oil Boiler Service Checklist
It is highly recommended that you get your oil boiler serviced once per year and the engineer should follow the steps in the oil boiler service checklist. An oil boiler service guarantees that your heating system is running at its optimum levels of efficiency and makes sure that no oil (and, to that end, money) goes to waste needlessly when your oil boiler is in operation. The service nips small problems in the bud which could potentially lead to expensive repairs being needed or a complete oil boiler breakdown in the future.
The main things that are done during an oil boiler service are inspections of the oil boiler’s pipework, clearance area and ventilation. After that, the oil boiler is inspected, cleaned and reassembled. Finally, the oil boiler is given a combustion test to make sure that it is in proper working order.
While it is not a legal requirement in Ireland, it is strongly recommended that any oil engineers you have carried out an oil boiler service are registered with OFTEC (the Oil Firing Technical Association). All DeWAR oil contractors are fully registered with OFTEC.
Below you will find an in-depth oil boiler service checklist which explains everything that you should demand/expect from your oil servicing engineer when they are carrying out an oil boiler service.
Annual Oil Boiler Service Checklist:
Visual Inspection:
• Look for oil leaks from the tank itself as well as piping and fittings found above ground level.
• Look for visible damage in the form of corrosion on the gas boiler’s outer shell, flue, electrical controls, piping and any other components.
• Look for cracks in the firebox and on the target wall (where the burner fires too). This can be done either by opening the boiler top or looking through the inspection port.
Check the Following:
(Before running these checks, the fuel filter should be replaced)
• Check that the oil shut-off valve is working.
• Check that air inlets to the oil boiler room/oil burner are of sufficient size and are not blocked.
• Check for cracks and other forms of damage on the burner refractory.
• Clean and adjust (when necessary) spark electrodes.
• Clean the burner diffuser and air tube.
• Check the ignition transformer, porcelain and HT cable for cracks and deterioration.
• Check that the draught stabiliser is working properly.
• Check the flame photocell and clean it if necessary.
• Check and clean the oil boiler’s side heat transfer surfaces.
• Check that the high limit thermostat is working properly.
• The burner nozzle should be replaced.
• The burner’s pressure and diffuser plate should be adjusted to obtain the correct length and shape in regards to the burner’s flame.
• Check that the flame failure device is working properly.
• When all of the aforementioned aspects of the oil boiler service are completed, a combustion efficiency test should be carried out. This is done to make sure that the oil boiler is operating at its maximum levels of efficiency.
System Checks:
• Check that the time clock is working properly.
• Check that zone valves and thermostats are working properly.
Please note that while this is what usually takes place in relation to an oil boiler service checklist, no two oil boilers are the exact same. Some systems might need certain specifics which are slightly different to those outlined above. In all cases, it is considered best practice to conform to the manufacturer’s guidelines when having an oil boiler service carried out.
Annual Gas Boiler Service Checklist
It is strongly recommended that you get an annual gas boiler service carried out on your central heating system. A gas boiler service ensures that your system is running at its maximum efficiency levels and ensures that no fuel (and, therefore, money) is wasted unnecessarily when operating your gas boiler. The service also acts pre-emptively, weeding out small problems before they can take hold and cause larger problems (such as boiler breakdown) which would require costly gas boiler repair services further on down the line.
Among the main things which are inspected during an annual gas boiler service are boiler location, ventilation, and clearance. Once these are deemed to be acceptable the gas boiler can be cleaned and reassembled. Lastly, the gas boiler’s functions are tested to make sure that everything is in working order and a combustibility test is carried out to ensure that the gas boiler is working at its full capacity.
Gas boiler services can only be carried out by an RGI (registered Gas Installer) who represents the RGII (Registered Gas Installers Ireland). All DeWAR gas contractors are registered gas installers.
Below you will find a complete gas boiler service checklist which outlines everything that you should expect/demand from your gas contractor when they are carrying out an annual gas boiler service for your heating system.
Annual Gas Boiler Service Checklist:
Gas Boiler Visual Inspection:
• Make sure the gas boiler’s location is suitable.
• Check that the gas boiler is properly ventilated.
• Look for visible damage on the gas boiler.
Check the following:
• Check the flue’s location and condition.
• Check for spillages around the flue.
• Check the condensate drainage system (this only applies to high efficiency condensing boilers)
• Check that the gas boiler has suitable clearance from any flammable materials.
• Check the main burner and clean it where necessary.
• Check the main burner operation and adjust if need be (the manufacturer’s specifications should be checked when doing this).
• Check the pilot burner and its cables. They should also be cleaned if necessary.
• Check the heat exchanger and clean where necessary.
• Check the flue’s effectiveness while running the gas boiler.
• Check to make sure that a 3-amp fuse is properly connected.
• Check for electrical isolation.
• Check electrical wiring for damage.
• Check that electrical wiring is properly connected to the gas boiler.
• Check to ensure that the gas boiler’s thermostat is functioning correctly.
• Check the system’s pressure levels (the manufacturer’s specifications should be checked when doing this).
• Check the expansion vessel and charge it (if necessary).
• Check that the flue guard is fitted properly.
• Check boiler controls (where applicable). These include zone valves, time clock, and the thermostat.
Once all checks are completed, a combustion efficiency test should be carried out.
After the gas boiler service is completed a Declaration of Conformance Certificate (sometimes called a ‘Completion certificate) is issued by the registered gas installer.
Please note that while this is what is typically involved in a gas boiler service, no two gas boilers are exactly alike. Some units may require a slightly non-conventional approach to servicing. In all cases, it is best advised to adhere to the manufacturer’s specifications when having a gas boiler serviced.
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