Replacing your boiler is one of the biggest improvements you can make to your home in order to improve energy efficiency and reduce money on your gas bills at the same time. The most energy efficient gas boilers are rarely cheap though, making the replacement of your current boiler one of the more expensive options for reducing your energy consumption.

Whilst the initial outlay might be quite expensive, the long-term savings to be made from using a newer, more efficient boiler will save you money on your gas bills over time. Depending upon the age of your current boiler, you can start receiving payback for switching to an energy efficient boiler in as little as three years. Changing a 15-year-old boiler for a modern equivalent could also cut 20 per cent from your energy bills.

Along with most white goods, boiler efficiency is now governed by a banding system, in this case monitored by Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK (SEDBUK). The SEDBUK scale ranges from below 70 per cent efficiency to above 90 per cent efficiency. Older boilers tend to have efficiencies between 50 and 60 per cent, meaning you could make your boiler up to 40 per cent more efficient by replacing it, saving a lot of gas wastage.

The summer season is an ideal time to replace your current boiler.Gas boilers are used less in the summer because of the hotter weather and with less frequent use, fewer boilers have problems that require replacements. As summer is the quiet period in the year, manufacturers cut prices to encourage sales. Summer deals on boilers could save you over £800 if you shop around between June and August.

Before you do replace your boiler, make sure that the fitter is an engineer approved by Gas Safe (formerly CORGI). Ensure you get the boiler suitable to your home’s needs. There’s no point going for a massive boiler, even if it is energy efficient, if you only live in a small flat. It’s also important to ensure your boiler is installed with a corrosion inhibitor which will keep your new boiling running smoothly for longer.

Older boilers waste heat and money every time they fire up. This is because a lot of the heat that is generated from burning the gas is lost up the chimney or flue. Modern boilers are much more efficient because they recover and recycle a lot of this heat, and so need to use less gas. This can save you up to 40% or £200 a year off the average UK gas bill.

The most efficient type of boiler is a Condensing Boiler, which now achieves almost 90% efficiency on the fuel it burns, far higher than older boilers. They normally cost a bit more than other types of boiler up front, but save a lot of money in the long run because you spend less on fuel. The most common alternative is called a Combination Boiler, which activates on demand, which means less wasted energy and no need for water tanks or cylinders. Although not as energy efficient (at 75% efficiency) or cost efficient as the condensing boiler, combination boilers do require less of an upfront investment. Most organizations recommend that people choose a condensing boiler, and indeed building regulations in some countries now make this obligatory.

How do you know if you would benefit from a new boiler? If your boiler is old, especially if it is 10 years or older, a new boiler could well make great sense. But you don’t need to try to work this out yourself. Many large, reputable heating companies offer free, no obligation boiler and heating surveys, and they can tell you how much you will save and exactly how much the installation of a new boiler will cost. You can easily sign up for a survey on-line, through a web-site such as Downwithco2.co.uk.

Before you finally choose your new boiler you should think about a few things:

- How big a boiler do you need? How much hot water can satisfy the needs of your household?

- Even though condensing boilers are the most expensive, they are more efficient than other boiler types and in the long term, could save you the most money.

- What will the boiler be used for? Will it be used for space heating, or just hot water?

- What type of fuel do you have available? Wood, Natural Gas, Fuel oil?

- After the boiler has been installed, who will take care of it? Many companies offer maintenance contracts, and often these are a good idea.

When thinking about a new boiler, you should always make sure you are dealing with a reputable and qualified firm. Installers should be registered with an official organisation. This is especially true with gas boilers; in the UK you should always make sure your gas boiler installer is ‘CORGI’ registered.

In some countries like the UK, a new boiler can make even more financial sense because the government subsidises their installation, in order to promote energy efficiency. Your installer should be able to tell you about these subsidies, which apply to almost everyone in the UK, especially older people who qualify for even more money off a new boiler.

Finally, if you want to save energy and money off your heating bills, you should also think about having your home properly insulated if you haven’t already. This is now very good value, and pays back the up-front investment in under 2 years. Further information can be found at downwithco2.co.uk