Table of Contents
What are Condensing Boilers?
Condensing boilers are water heaters fuelled by gas or oil.
These boilers achieve a high-efficiency level, typically greater than 90% on the higher heating value). They do this by condensing water vapour in the exhaust gases and so recovering its latent heat of vaporisation. This would otherwise have been wasted.
This condensed vapour leaves the system in liquid form, via a drain.
In many countries, the use of condensing boilers is compulsory or encouraged with financial incentives.
So, why purchase a new condensing boiler?
The main reason to purchase a new condensing boiler is the large saving in fuel and therefore money.
Most standard efficiency boilers will operate at 70%-80% efficiency (some older boilers will operate at levels as low as 50% efficiency).
A condensing boiler will run at an optimum efficiency of 95% sometimes rising to 98% in certain conditions.
The reduced boiler operation time reduces your carbon emissions too.
How does a condensing boiler achieve such high efficiency?
The first thing to remember about conventional boilers and condensing boilers is the heat input from the burner is the same. Roughly 250-300 degrees celsius.
It is important to understand how a conventional boiler works in order to compare the two different types of boilers.
A conventional boiler has one heat exchanger. Water enters the heat exchanger at the coldest (and generally lowest) point and collects heat leaving the heat exchanger and flowing off to the radiators and hot water tanks.
The flue temperature can be anything up to 250 degrees celsius. That heat is expelled into the atmosphere never to be used again, so is wasted.
A condensing boiler has two main heat exchangers. This time the water enters the secondary (and condensing) chamber first. Picking up latent heat from the hot flue gases as they cool.
The moisture in the gases condenses into droplets that form at the bottom of the heat exchanger. The condense is mildly acidic (about the same pH as tomato juice) and is expelled to drain.
From there the water enters the primary heat exchanger to collect more heat before flowing to the radiators and hot water tanks.
The flue temperature will be around 55 degrees celsius. That means up to 200 degrees of heat is being transferred to your heating water, and not just being expelled into the atmosphere and wasted.
This means that you save loads of money in operating costs.
Condensing boilers do not condense all of the time!
The condensing boilers only condense when the return water temperature is low enough.
However you are always saving money because of the greater heat exchanging surface area offered by an extra heat exchanger and the improvements in modern design.
Expelling the Myths about condensing boilers
Condensing boilers cannot be installed to existing systems.
This is not true.
A condensing boiler can be fitted to any system that previously had a conventional boiler installed.
Sometimes the increased efficiency means a feed and expansion system is not suitable.
This is easily overcome however by pressurising the system. Many engineers will do this as a matter of course.
Condensing Boilers are not as reliable.
Again this is not true.
In their infancy boiler manufacturers did have problems dealing with the slightly acidic condensate attacking the boiler heat exchanger but like all things they have improved this.
This is now no longer an issue.
All components are now just as reliable as conventional boilers.
Condensing Boilers are only more efficient when fully condensing.
Not true. All condensing boilers are more efficient then conventional boilers at all times of operation.
The British Research Establishment confirmed this in a paper published in 2003 after research going back to 1980.
With Condensing Boilers the condense is a problem.
The condense can be easily installed by running to a safe drain or lime chipping soak away to neutralise the pH. Manufacturers even produce an inline acidic neutraliser that has puch fit fittings for easy installation to 3/4″ condense pipe.
What are the best Condensing Boilers to choose?
For the best Condensing Boilers of 2021, 2022 and Beyond please see our Best Condensing Boilers of 2021, 2022 and Beyond article.
Here at Let’s Heat we supply and install Condensing Boilers also know as the most popular selling combi boilers.
If you want a quote for supply and installation of a Condensing Boiler, please click here.
Can I finance my new system boiler?
Buying a new boiler and having a boiler installation or a heat pump, is an investment. However it can be expensive, especially paying for it all in one hit.
If you haven’t got the money on hand for the boiler and installation services that you require, you can get the job done on a finance package that is FCA-approved.
We can also offer a number of split payment options for you to consider.
Boiler Replacement Payment Options
For new boiler installation, you can pay by card, pay zero deposit, and pay monthly over 2 to 10-years or take our a finance package.
Identifying the problem with your boiler!
If you are having problems with your boiler, you might be able to repair the boiler or it might need replacing. You can contact us with your symptoms and we can help you diagnose the problem. We will also help you determine whether you actually need a new boiler or can simply just have it repaired.
So why Let’s Heat?
Let’s Heat Are Quality & Accredited Boiler Installers
Firstly, Let’s Heat professional engineers and emergency plumbers provide a professional and reliable plumbing and heating service. Accordingly, that includes Boiler Installation in Cardiff and the surrounding CF postcode area in South Wales.
Secondly, our boiler installation and repair team is fully qualified and ensured to the highest standards. As can be seen, we take pride in producing exemplary work standards which include completing all boiler installation needs.
Thirdly, the Let’s Heat team are high-quality professional engineers who have a high 4.9 out of 5 Trustpilot score by our previous happy customers. We are fully accredited by Gas Safe and Corgi registered, as well as FCA approved for all of our financial transactions.
Lastly, all of our staff at Let’s Heat are experts in their field and have many years of experience. Above all, we have work on a wide selection of emergency plumbing, heating solutions and services throughout Cardiff, the rest of Wales & the UK.
Other Boiler Types:
In addition to Condensing boilers also known as combi boilers, we also supply and install these other boiler types:
- The Common, Heat Only Boiler
- A System Boiler
- Combi Boiler
- The new Heat Pump!
The Let’s Heat boiler installation & repair team are all fully qualified to the highest standards. We take pride in producing exemplary work standards. This includes completing all boiler installation requirement no matter what time or day this is required!
Our team of high quality professional engineers have an extremely high 4.9 out of 5, Trustpilot score given by our previous happy customers and we are fully accredited by Gas Safe and Corgi registered, as well as FCA approved for all of our financial transactions.
Full range of heating & plumbing services provided by Let’s Heat:
- Boiler Repairs & Installations
- Boiler Supply & Fit
- Financing Your Boiler
- Emergency Boiler Repairs & Installations
- Emergency Boiler Supply & Fit
- Plumbing Repairs
- Bathroom Plumbing
- Kitchen Plumbing
- Emergency Plumbing Repairs
- Bathroom Plumbing in Emergencies
- Emergency Kitchen Plumbing
- General Plumbing Services
- Emergency Plumbing Services
- Emergency Gas & Heating Engineer
Areas covered by our heating engineer services:
The Let’s Heat engineers cover all of Wales & England
WALES:
Let’s Heat provide Heat Pump installations throughout Wales.
This includes areas like; South East Wales, South Wales, South West Wales, Mid Wales, East Wales, West Wales, and North Wales.
Welsh Cities:
This includes all of the Welsh cities like; Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, and all other towns and cities in Wales.
ENGLAND:
Let’s Heat provide Heat Pump installations throughout England.
This includes areas like; South West England, South East England, East Midlands, West Midlands, North West England, and North East England.
English Cities:
Southern Cities
We provide our plumbing & heating services to cities all offer England like; London, Reading, Southampton, Portsmouth, Bristol, Exeter & Plymouth in the South.
Midlands Cities
As well as cities like; Gloucester, Swindon, Oxford, Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Birmingham, Worcester, Wolverhampton, Walsall in the Midlands.
Northern Cities
And cities like; Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, York, Sheffield, Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough in the North.
Have any more questions?
If you have any further questions about boiler efficiency, other boilers, or anything else, please see our FAQ Page because you might find the answers there.
Alternatively you could try our News Blog for lots of news and article on all aspects of plumbing and heating.
Check out our Gas Safe Registration and if you want to see our near 5 star Trustpilot rating.
Please click the relevant link because you can then find what you are looking for.
Get a quote today because you don’t want to miss out on our exceptional value for money offering!
FAQs
Is a condensing boiler worth it?
The main reason why condensing boilers are much better than non-condensing boilers is that they are at least 25% more efficient.
Is a condensing boiler the same as a combi boiler?
Ultimately, they are the same thing. In fact, all modern boilers are condensing boilers, including combi, system or regular boilers.
How do I know if my boiler is condensing?
Mainly there are two ways to tell: If you have a white plastic pipe coming out of the bottom of your boiler, then you have a condensing boiler. Another way to tell is by checkng if your flue (exhaust) is plastic. if it is, then it’s a condensing high efficiency boiler, if it’s all metal, then it’s a non condensing boiler.
What is the difference between a condensing boiler and a non condensing boiler?
Condensing boilers are vented with fan-powered plastic (PVC) pipes. These pipes can be terminated through a side wall. The combustion air for condensing burners is taken directly from outdoors, unlike non condensing systems that take air from the room itself.
Does a condensing boiler have a water tank?
A condensing combi boiler does not require a hot water tank and is available in a wide range of compact sizes. Thus it is more suitable and convenient to fit in a kitchen cupboard than conventional boiler models.