If you’ve ever considered replacing your home’s central heating system, you’ve probably had the term “energy ratings” thrown at you a few (hundred) times.
We explain why energy ratings matter, and what they mean to your home.
During colder months, the cost of heating your home comprises roughly 55% of your energy bill. (Learn more about that here.) To keep heating costs down, you need the most energy efficient heating appliances. And when it comes to heating your home, we’re talking about combi boilers and combi condensing boilers.
Generally speaking, the age and type of your boiler affects its efficiency. And again, generally speaking, modern condensing boilers are the most efficient boilers available because they reuse heat from exhaust gases that normally would be released into the atmosphere.
Since 2010 only combi boilers that are 88% energy efficient or better are being installed in homes, and according to the Energy Saving Trust, “Replacing an old gas boiler with no controls, with an A-Rated high efficiency combi condensing boiler and full set of heating controls will significantly cut your home’s carbon dioxide emissions, and could save you as much as £305 a year.”
What is Boiler Energy Efficiency & How is it Calculated?
In order to understand this, we need to first understand that in the UK all newly installed combi boilers must meet certain energy efficiency guidelines described in the SEDBUK rating system (SEDBUK stands for Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK).
SEDBUK ratings are calculated by compiling a lot of confusing variables including “typical domestic conditions,” “typical domestic usage patterns,” “climate in the UK,” “boiler type,” “ignition type,” “fuel type,” “internal storage type,” etc. calculated over a period of time equal to one year.
What You Really Need to Know About SEDBUK Ratings
SEDBUK ratings assess the percentage of fuel a boiler consumes that is turned into actual heat.
Historically, SEDBUK ratings have been reported on a scale of A-G, with A representing the most efficient boiler types and G representing the least efficient types.
However, since 2010 SEDBUK has been reporting efficiency by percentage, with highest performing boilers producing 90-96% efficiency and lowest performance at or below 65%. You may see either of these used on labels when you’re making a purchase.
Following is a helpful quick look at the SEDBUK ratings and some of the benefits and hazards associated with each category ranking.
| A-RATED
COMBI BOILERS
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| B-RATED
BOILERS
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| C-RATED
BOILERS
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| D, E, F – RATED
BOILERS
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| G-RATED | G-rated appliances will be banned in 2015
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