There are all these different efficiency ratings that sound more like alphabet soup than a standard measurement when you’re searching for a new boiler or learning about the performance of your current system. Knowing what the numbers mean can save you hundreds of pounds a year when choosing home heating and give invaluable peace-of-mind.
SEDBUK is the UK standard for boiler efficiency. It tells you how effectively your boiler turns fuel into usable heat for a whole season, and it is not necessarily when it’s at peak performance.
SEDBUK ratings are from A to G where higher values indicate greater efficiency. With an A-rated boiler, over 90% of the money you spend on gas actually heats your home — something to consider when replacing a worn-out model. And the other 10% disappears up the flue and system inefficiencies.
What the Percentages Actually Mean
A 95% boiler will simply burn the fuel into heat for your home at a calm efficiency of… you guessed it, only down to that percentage. That’s far better than an old G-rated boiler from the 70s which could only manage around 70% efficiency – you might as well be sending a business-class, first class and premium economy ticket to every pound up the chimney.
Modern Condensing Technology
A-rated boilers are able to be high efficiency through technology known as condensing. This heat is taken from the water vapour in your flue gases, which older boilers simply vent to waste. The captured heat is then used to pre-heat the water going back into the boiler, reducing that energy needed to get there. For Cheltenham Boiler Service, visit https://www.combi-man.com
Beyond the Basic Rating
Another common indicator is the ErP (Energy-related Product) label, which also covers seasonal space heating efficiency and water heating. These days, the highest performing boilers are rated A+ or even A++ by ErP standards.
Real-World Considerations
Efficiency ratings are laboratory measurements in the best conditions. Your true efficiency is contingent upon:
Proper installation and sizing
Regular maintenance and servicing
Your home’s insulation quality
Use of your heating system
Making the right choice
Selecting a New Boiler
Base decisions on the square footage of your home, high water use needs and existing heating system. In practice a correctly sized, well maintained B-rated boiler will usually outperform an oversized A rated model.
That way you know how to make wise decisions, so that in future years your house will be warm enough but not require a second mortgage on energy bills.
