Summary

Information regarding the provision of new and replacement domestic central heating boilers.

 

Gas and Oil Central Heating boiler installations

From 1 April 2005 the energy performance standard for new and replacement gas fired hot water central heating boilers was raised. In normal circumstances when a new boiler is installed or an existing one is replaced, you will need a condensing type boiler to meet the higher energy efficiency standards   As of 1 April 2007 similar standards will apply to new and replacement oil fired hot water central heating boilers.

Condensing boilers are more efficient then the traditional boilers and produce less carbon dioxide. They work by reducing the amount of heat that escapes out of the flue, converting approximately 86 percent or more of the fuel they burn into useful heat. In comparison a non condensing boiler converts as little as sixty percent of the fuel used into heat.

 

Boiler Efficiency

A boilers efficiency is know as its SEDBUK rating (Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK). You can check the efficiency of your current or proposed boiler on the boiler database at www.sedbuk.com| [external link].

 

As a simple guide to efficiency, a scheme has been created with SEDBUK efficiency bands assigned to boilers on an "A" to "G" scale. The band may be used on product literature and labels, though there is no requirement for manufacturers to do so.

 

Band	SEDBUK range (percentage)
A	90 and above
B	86 to 90
C	82 to 86
D	78 to 82
E	74 to 78
F	70 to 74
G	below 70

 

Installation of Boilers

Boilers of any fuel type must always be installed by a person who is both suitably qualified and competent. They should also hold a Certificate in Energy Efficiency for Domestic Heating or an equivalent qualification

 

For gas fired boilers the installer that you employ must be CORGI (Council for Registered Gas Installers) registered and capable of installing a condensing boiler.

 

For oil fired boilers the installer that you employ can be either a BESCA Limited (Building Engineering Services Competence Accreditation), NAPIT Registration Ltd (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers) or an OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association Limited) registered installer.

 

In all cases you should check that your installer has the required qualifications and is registered on the appropriate competent persons scheme| for the work they undertake.

 

Certification

In exceptional circumstances it is permissible to install a non condensing boiler instead of a condensing boiler, provided that an assessment of the property has been undertaken by the installer and this confirms that the additional cost of installing a condensing boiler is exceptionally high. The assessor must identify the lowest additional cost for an installation anywhere in the building, irrespective of the boiler position chosen by the owner. Where it is unreasonable to install a condensing boiler the installer must provide a declaration stating this for you to retain as proof.

 

Once your boiler installation has been completed by the registered installer, you will receive a building regulations compliance certificate direct from the relevent competent persons scheme provider to show that the work meets with the requirements of the building regulations. The scheme provider will also notify the council of the installation.