While back boilers have been made illegal in the UK since 2015, they are still found in many homes, partially because of their aesthetic appeal, which many homeowners enjoy having. Some homeowners are also able to get their fuel for cheap for their back boilers, especially if they live in rural areas. When compared to modern boilers, they are much less efficient and can be dangerous and messy to operate and clean, which is why switching to new boilers is strongly recommended. They were popular back in the 1960s, with many still preferring them because of having available solid fuel sources around them to burn, but it can also be an exhausting and tedious task compared to what is on the market.
Today’s boilers have the advantage of being easier to operate and allowing you to instantly have hot water. They are also more efficient when it comes to warming your home, as back boilers do not operate efficiently with radiators, only able to heat by running all the time. Back boilers only have an efficiency rating of around 70%, while modern boilers can reach 98%. Newer boilers also make your home safer due to their more secure operation; they also do not require the physical task that back boilers do.
Back Boilers Are Outdated
One of the main reasons that back boilers are illegal to install is because they waste too much energy, which doesn’t help with the new environmental goals put down by the UK government. This resulted in many back boiler parts being hard to find as they became rarer. There are also fewer engineers and experts who are qualified to repair and fix any problems, making the ownership of one a little bit more exhausting than having a new boiler that you can get parts easily for cheap with engineers who have years of experience to help fix it.
Newer boilers can help increase the worth of your home. As the aesthetics of your home can be kept the same by asking the engineer to leave the design of your back boiler mantle, while at the same time upgrading the heating system, you can have your home become more valuable. This is one of the top reasons why you might consider getting one even if you are thinking of selling your home, especially as in many cases, you can have it replaced for free.
The government has many incentives that allow back boilers to be upgraded with new modern boilers for free. The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) is one scheme that allows homeowners who receive benefits to do so. It helps bring families suffering from fuel poverty into safety, allowing them to have the same heating systems as their better off counterparts. If you do decide to take these steps, you might consider contacting your manufacturer or a recycling company to check and see if there are any components of your old back boiler that they might want to take. You can also list the older back boiler in groups where someone might find it useful and choose to take it in.
The ECO Scheme:
The ECO scheme, first launched in 2013 and now in its 4th phase, has been helping homes become warmer for less. The ECO scheme works in conjunction with energy companies and is designed to help homeowners better insulate their homes and upgrade their heating systems for less or at no cost. The ECO4 scheme helps individuals with older boilers to upgrade them for free if they are recipients of benefits like pension credit or universal credit. It is part of the government’s push towards a net zero in 2050. It allows you to have a new boiler in less than a week, without any hassle, as the paperwork is done by an energy company.
The ECO4 scheme, unlike the versions before it, has made replacing the back boiler much simpler, with fewer regulations, to encourage more people to take the right steps to help make their homes greener and more energy efficient. You have to always make sure you are using a reputable company, like Warmer Home Grants, for your new boiler, which would allow you to get a high-quality boiler for free, with 10+ years of insurance helping secure you for the long run.
What Kind Of Boiler Best Suits Your New Home?
There are quite a few options for you to consider when using the free back boiler replacement grant, because it goes down to what best suits you. If you like a back boiler because of the availability of wood and solid fuel around you, then a biomass boiler might be the best solution for you. Biomass is environmentally friendly as the carbon that is released is absorbed by plants. Biomass boilers are also cheaper to operate and are not vulnerable to fast-changing prices like boilers that are powered by gas.
The disadvantages of biomass boilers are that they need more space than other boilers, with the exception of back boilers. They also need regular cleaning and need to remain dry in order to operate efficiently.
One of the best options you can go for when choosing a new boiler is a non-condensing boiler. With an efficiency of up to 99%, a non-condensing boiler ensures it uses all the heat from waste gases, helping you save as much money as possible. It is also one of the safest options, as it uses an external pipe that is perfectly insulated to get rid of waste.
Another option you can go for using the ECO4 scheme is the air-source heat pump. The free replacement grant can find no better alternative than a non-renewable energy source like an ASHP. It helps you save on your bills, but at the same time comes with an initial high cost. The ECO4 scheme helps you save on this cost with grants worth up to £7000 pounds.
Combi boilers are another option for those looking to save on bills and space while having the convenience of condensing highly efficient boilers, which allow you to instantly have hot water because, unlike other boilers that heat it up and store it, it heats and supplies instantly. It uses gas, which is cheaper than electricity, and has better water quality than other boilers. The disadvantage of combi boilers is that if the main water pressure is low, then they will be affected, producing low flow rates. It is also not suitable for bigger homes with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms.
Making Sure You Take The Right Decision When Using the Free Back Boiler Replacement Grant:
The ECO4 grant is designed to help individuals replace their boiler easily without the trouble of having to do much other than check their eligibility, many times but just filling out a form. They will then have their property assessed by an expert, and then the boiler replaced on the second visit. This whole process is designed to help make it easier to switch and upgrade your heating system to one that is safer for your environment and you. Do not hesitate to reach out to learn more about how you get the free back boiler replacement grant.
