Condensing refers to the technology used rather than the actual boiler type. There are different types of condensing gas boilers: combination or combi boilers, system boilers, heat only boilers and back boilers.
Since they first appeared on the UK domestic boiler scene some 20 years ago, condensing gas boilers have proved to be the most energy efficient gas boilers available - offering significant fuel savings compared to traditional non-condensing boilers.
Benefits of condensing gas boilers
Condensing boilers offer several key advantages over other types of gas boilers, including:
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High energy efficiency
With greater than 90% efficiency, condensing gas boilers are between 15 and 30% more energy efficient than older gas boilers and around 15% more efficient overall than modern non-condensing boilers. This means a considerable reduction in running costs over the course of a year. -
Environmentally friendly
Condensing gas boilers produce significantly lower CO2 emissions than other gas boilers and are therefore much kinder to the environment. -
Less cycling
Condensing gas boilers regulate heat output to match demand in the home. Gas consumption is therefore reduced because the boiler does not have to constantly switch on and off. -
Lower fuel bills
By burning less fuel to extract the same amount of energy, condensing gas boilers result in fuel bill savings; over a few years this more than offsets the initial higher purchase and installation cost. -
Compact size
Contemporary design and modern materials mean that condensing gas boilers not only look good but come in a variety of compact sizes to suit your requirements and available space.
How do condensing boilers work?
Condensing gas boilers achieve increased efficiency in two ways: by reducing the amount of gas used and by minimising heat loss.
They work on the principle of recovering as much heat as possible that would normally be lost up the flue with the flue gases. Condensing boilers are able to do this because they have a much larger and more efficient heat exchanger than are found in traditional gas boilers; this maximises the amount of usuable heat produced by the burner.
A small amount of evaporated liquid, known as condensate, is produced and is carried away by a waste overflow pipe.
