Green boilers & Alternative Boilers are More Eco Friendly
Although there are the colour green boilers out there, these are usually external oil boilers but this is not what green boilers are in reference to.
When we say something is green in terms of energy, we all think of eco-friendly and nonpolluting so let’s look at some of the greenest new boilers on the market right now.
Changing to an energy-efficient boiler from an old boiler can save you up to £580 per year on your gas bill.
Find out how old your boiler is here, and if it is over ten years old, it is likely costing you more money to run than it should.
What are energy-efficient green boilers?
Although boilers that use fossil fuels such as gas and oil can’t ever be green, they can be made greener.
Since condensing technology was introduced to all boilers in 2005, most boilers run at 90% efficiency or more.
Boiler manufacturers such as Worcester Bosch, Viessmann, Ideal, Vaillant, and others continually strive to make the most energy-efficient boilers possible.
Which are the best green boilers?
Different types of boilers and central heating systems are powered by different fuel sources, so each has there own advantages and disadvantages.
Here we look at the best green boiler types to choose from, each of which has a range of choices for you to pick from.
Greenest boilers – Gas-condensing boilers
Although these boilers use gas, they are by far the most energy-efficient, which means that they use up far more fuel than the other types on actually heating up your home and hot water.
Over 90% of the energy used in burning gas in a condensing boiler is used up in heating your home
What does 90% energy efficiency mean?
In money terms, this means that if a boiler uses £10 of energy, £9 of that will have been used up in heating your home.
Compare this to an inefficient boiler that runs at 70% efficiency, which would have used £7 out of the £10 to heat your home.
Other Green boilers – Biomass boilers
Biomass boilers are boilers that usually burn wood or other renewable sources. Biomass boilers are green because they use this energy source, but they are wholly inefficient and can be quite costly to run.
They aren’t the most practical for most homes as they are usually large and need constant attention.
Biomass boilers are better for homes that are off-grid instead of using oil or electricity.
How is a biomass boiler a green boiler?
To be green, any wood that is burnt by a biomass boiler must be replaced by the planting of trees. Otherwise, the renewable benefits of this type of boiler go up in smoke.
You can plant trees yourself, but the best way is to ensure that where you are buying your wood or field from is making efforts to re-plant trees in replacement of the fuel.
Are electric boilers green boilers?
Electric boilers could be the greenest if they use a renewable energy source such as solar or wind.
But, the energy required to heat up water with an electric combi boiler is far more than what these can produce.
Therefore fossil fuels have to be burnt at the power stations to generate electricity, making them a lot less green.
Are electric boilers green because they are 100% energy efficient?
Electric boilers are 100% energy efficient, making them the most economical boilers on the market.
The problem is that they use so much energy when they do.
An electric boiler costs far more to run than a gas boiler.
Expect costs of over four times the amount of a gas-condensing boiler. This just makes them not a green option when choosing the right boiler.
Hydrogen-ready green gas boilers
The latest type of gas condensing boiler is the hydrogen ready gas boiler. These boilers can run up to 20% of hydrogen and natural gas in the gas network. This means there will be 20% less burnt gas and less CO2 emissions.
Although we don’t know when they will start introducing hydrogen into the gas supply and how much, we can all prepare by choosing a hydrogen-ready boiler next time you need a new gas boiler. When burnt, hydrogen only produces water as a by-product.
What about 100% hydrogen boilers?
100% hydrogen boilers are still in the prototype stage, but this isn’t an issue, as the cost to make hydrogen fuel used in domestic settings is currently very high and not very green.
Fossil fuels currently have to be used at hydrogen plants to split the hydrogen atoms up and make them into a liquid and usable.
This also takes a lot of energy currently using electricity, so whilst hydrogen on its own is green, the process isn’t just yet.
So which is the best energy-efficient boiler option for my home right now?
The best option right now is a hydrogen-ready gas condensing boiler.
Therefore you need to be looking at the following gas boilers.
All these hydrogen-ready gas boilers come in combi boiler, a system boiler, and conventional boiler types, so they are suitable for most homes in the UK and can fit in kitchen cupboards.
Best green hydrogen-ready boilers to buy right now
- Viessmann Vitodens 050-w combi boiler
- Worcester Bosch Greenstar 4000
- Viessmann Vitodens 100-w
- Ideal Logic boilers
- Worcester Bosch 2000
- Baxi 600
All these boilers are hydrogen ready to 20% and can easily be changed in a few years’ time if needed to run on 100% hydrogen with a few minor changes by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Green boiler costs – How much is a green boiler?
Green new boiler costs between £500 and £2,500 depending on the make and model you choose. If you want a new green boiler, you can get a green boiler installation for as little as £1,700.
The best way to get a great price on a new green boiler is to get a fixed-price online quote by simply clicking get a quote.
All the boilers will also be hydrogen-ready for your peace of mind.
Are heat pumps a green option instead of boilers?
Heat pumps are one of the latest attempts to help the UK become carbon neutral.
Whilst heat pumps have their place; they just aren’t that viable in most homes. They are cheaper to run but don’t have gas boilers’ heating capabilities.
To ensure that you get the most out of a heat pump, you would need to do the following things, all of which would be at an expense to you, even with a grant.
Heat pumps are not a great green option for the following reasons:
- Cost – They cost over £5,000 to install, and you would have to get your walls and floors insulated, add extra radiators and leave them on constantly in winter.
- Size – They are large units that many smaller homes in the UK would not be able to install.
- Noise pollution from a constant fan on heat pumps is known to cause many issues.
- Electricity prices are rising – As the price of electricity increases, the heat pump’s benefit goes down.
The next day green boiler installation.
Get an energy-efficient green boiler installed in your home tomorrow by simply getting a boiler quote online now with Easy Boilers.
Easy Boilers offers a range of green hydrogen-ready boilers for you to choose from.
With top manufacturers such as Worcester Bosch, Viessmann, Ideal, and more, you can get the perfect boiler installation for your home at a great price.
If you want to pay monthly you can too, with their boilers on finance.
FAQ’S
Are there government incentives available for homeowners switching to green boilers or heat pumps?
Government incentives for transitioning to green boilers or heat pumps vary by region and may include grants, rebates, or financing options. These incentives aim to encourage homeowners to adopt more sustainable heating solutions and reduce their carbon footprint.
What are the installation requirements and differences between heat pumps and traditional boilers?
Heat pumps are promoted as eco-friendly alternatives to boilers, but they present challenges such as high installation costs, space requirements, noise pollution, and dependency on rising electricity prices. While they offer energy efficiency benefits, they may not be suitable for all homes due to their installation and operational requirements.
