Martyn commented: “Of all of the energy efficiency schemes and regulations we have seen over the years, the change to condensing boilers remains the most effective in terms of fuel, energy and CO2 savings. Around 1.5 million condensing boilers are now sold in the UK every year and, with condensing boilers on average 20-30% more efficient and 15-30% lower in emissions than ageing standard efficiency boilers, these savings have, and continue to, stack up.
“The changeover to condensing boilers has also resulted in so many other positive outcomes. For example, the mass take-up of condensing technology has significantly reduced the amount of gas-fired boiler related CO incidents in the UK. As condensing boilers are room sealed and open flue boilers are effectively no longer being made, modern appliances offer greater siting flexibility as installers can now fit extraordinarily long lengths of flue compared to years gone by.
“However, with some 8 million non-condensing boilers still in homes across the UK, there is still a job to be done. If everyone in the UK had a condensing boiler, our annual carbon dioxide emissions would be reduced by 17.5 million tonnes which, in monetary terms, could result in a saving of £1.3 billion on energy bills every year, according to the Centre for Alternative Technology. However, with well-supported plans such as this in place, this figure is inevitably being eroded for the better.”