Boiler Plus’s rules and criteria attempt to control and enhance the way households use energy by improving the efficiency of their heating systems. Four types of controls can be used to increase the efficiency in the home.
What is Boiler Plus?
Introduced by the government in April 2018, Boiler Plus regulations aim to improve the efficiency of heating systems in residential homes so energy consumption is reduced and less carbon emissions are released. Boilers under this scheme have to be at least 92% efficient and give the user better access to heating time and temperature controls in their property.
The four boiler plus measures you can take are:
- Weather compensation.
- Smart Controls.
- Load compensation.
- Flue gas heat recovery system.
Smart thermostats such as the well known Hive, Nest and Tado also give extra control over time and temperature heating settings.
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New Boiler Plus regulations
Whenever a boiler is installed in an existing heating system, whether it is a new boiler in a property or a replacement boiler it will need to be at least 92% efficient and have controls which give customers the ability to make energy and cost savings.
The Boiler Plus regulations require the following:
- A minimum efficiency of 92% for all new gas boiler installations. This means the boiler must have an ErP energy rating of 92% or higher.
- Mandatory timer and room thermostats must be installed on all new gas and oil boiler systems. This ensures customers have better control over their heating.
- An additional energy efficiency measure must be installed for new combination gas boilers. Options for this include weather compensation, load compensation, smart thermostatic controls, or a flue gas heat recovery system. The appropriate measure will depend on the property and customer’s needs.
Who Does Boiler Plus Apply To?
- The regulations apply to all households in England that install a new boiler after April 6, 2018.
- They apply to any new boiler installations in existing homes after this date, whether it is the first time installation of a boiler or replacement of an existing boiler.
- The regulations are not retroactive, so they do not apply to boilers already installed in homes before April 2018. Only new installations are impacted.
- However, when an existing boiler needs to be replaced in the future after April 2018, it will need to comply with Boiler Plus at that time.
The Boiler plus regulations apply to England only and makes timers and room thermostats a requirement for all gas and oil systems. If a gas combination boiler is installed, then an additional energy efficiency measure will also be required that gives the user power to achieve the best comfort in the home.
Boiler Plus measures you can take
Energy efficiency measures for Boiler Plus are:
Weather Compensation
Weather compensation is a feature in modern boilers that dynamically adjusts the boiler’s heating output and water temperature based on the outside weather conditions. By monitoring the temperature outside, the boiler can optimize its operation in what’s known as condensing mode. This mode allows the boiler to operate at its most efficient level, saving fuel and increasing overall efficiency.
For instance, on colder days, the boiler might increase its output to ensure a comfortable indoor temperature, while on milder days, it might reduce its output to avoid unnecessary energy consumption. This technology helps to maintain a consistent level of comfort while using energy more effectively.
Load Compensation
Load compensation is a mechanism that adjusts the output of a boiler based on the temperature of the water returning to it from the heating system. This adjustment is made to ensure that the heating system provides a consistent and comfortable indoor temperature. When the return water temperature is lower, the boiler output increases to compensate and maintain the desired warmth.
Conversely, when the return water temperature is higher, the boiler output decreases. This approach prevents overworking the boiler and eliminates temperature fluctuations, leading to energy savings and improved comfort.
Smart Controls
Smart controls refer to advanced heating control systems that allow homeowners to manage their heating and hot water remotely using smartphones, tablets, or other connected devices. These controls offer convenience by enabling users to adjust their heating settings even when they’re not at home.
Additionally, smart controls often provide insights into energy usage patterns, allowing users to track and optimize their energy consumption. By having greater control over heating schedules and settings, users can adapt their usage to reduce energy waste, ultimately leading to lower energy bills.
Flue Gas Heat Recovery
Flue gas heat recovery is a technology that captures and utilizes waste heat from the flue gases produced during the combustion process in a boiler. Normally, these hot gases are expelled through the flue and wasted.
However, with flue gas heat recovery, this heat is harnessed to preheat the cold water that enters the boiler. By preheating the water before it reaches the main heating process, the boiler doesn’t need to work as hard to raise the water temperature, reducing overall energy consumption. This technology helps improve the overall efficiency of the heating system and leads to cost savings on energy bills.
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Who does Boiler Plus affect?
The government-led guidelines apply to all households, which means that all new boiler installations after 6th April 2018 must meet the standards. The laws will not apply to any boilers that were already installed in a home before this date.
One part of Boiler Plus applies to all new gas and oil boilers installed that are required to have at least 92% efficiency and give timer and room thermostats. The additional energy efficiency measure policy applies to combi boilers only and not to heat-only boilers.
It is important to note that the Boiler Plus regulations are mandatory for all new boiler installations. The requirements cannot be opted out of by installers or customers – all new boilers must comply. Non-compliance means the boiler will not meet current building regulations.
Responsibility for ensuring compliance with the Boiler Plus regulations ultimately lies with the heating engineer/installer carrying out the new boiler installation. They are obligated to make sure the boiler meets efficiency requirements and necessary controls are installed in line with the regulations.
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