Do you have a question?

Please see below for a list of our most frequently asked questions.
 

Q. If I install a new boiler how much will I expect to save?
Q. How does the assessor know the appropriate size of the system that they should install?
Q. Do I get a warranty with my new heating system?
Q. How does a condensing boiler work?
Q. What is the difference between a combi, regular and system boiler?
Q. What are the environmental benefits of having a new boiler?
Q. What is the Gas Safe Register?
Q. Are your installers also Competent Person Scheme members or Approved Certifier of Construction Scheme (Scotland) members?
Q. Can I have a solar panel system with a combi or system boilers?
Q. How much space do I need for a condensing boiler?
Q. How long does it take to install a boiler system?
Q. What is boiler interlock?
Q. Should I fit a water softener with my boiler?
Q. Why is my current system being flushed before and after boiler replacement?
Q. How could water pressure affect my boiler?
Q. Why is my boiler´s hot water sometimes cloudy?
 

 

 

Q. If I install a new boiler how much will I expect to save?

By replacing most boilers that are under 7 years of age you will save about 20% of your heating bill. If your old boiler is more than 7 years old you could save between 30% to 40% on your heating bill. By replacing a G-rated boiler with an A-rated system you could save up to £300 per year as gas prices rise, for at least 12 years (Source: Energy Saving Trust, October 2011).

Q. How does the assessor know the appropriate size of the system that they should install?

The assessor will use the Whole House Boiler Sizing Method, which is the most accurate way to size a boiler. This method was designed by the Building Research Establishment. It makes sure that the boiler matches the heat requirements of the home and helps the assessor size the boiler correctly. Heavily insulated homes can reduce the size of the boiler´s output and thus the cost of the boiler required, so it is worth contacting us about our insulation offers if your home is not already fully insulated.

Q. Do I get a warranty with my new heating system?

We will provide you with a 5-year boiler warranty.

Q. How does a condensing boiler work?

Condensing boilers extract more of the heat energy from the gas flame than conventional boilers by allowing condensation to occur inside a special type of stainless steel heat exchanger. When condensation occurs it releases latent heat due to the change of state from gas to liquid. Condensing boilers can use as much as 91% of the available heat energy in natural gas, compared to 50% to 80% for conventional types of boilers, making them extremely efficient. Like conventional boilers they also pre-heat the incoming cold air. They do however require a drain to get rid of the condensate. They emit a plume of water particles during operational phases from their flue.

Q. What is the difference between a combi, regular and system boiler? 

Condensing boilers come in different kinds: combi, regular and system. The following are basic guidelines to their design:

• Combi boilers do not require a storage tank/immersion. Combi boilers produce water at the same pressure as the mains, so showers are examined to make sure they are suitable for combi boilers prior to installation. The heat a combi boiler produces is virtually instant.
• Regular condensing boilers use a cistern and a header tank and store hot water in a cylinder/immersion. This means regular condensing boilers can directly replace older systems with less alterations. These are sometimes called ´open vent´ boiler systems.
• System boilers will store water internally and therefore do not require external cylinders, header tanks or cisterns.

 

Q. What are the environmental benefits of having a new boiler?

• A-rated boilers emit 1.2 tonnes of CO₂ less than a G-rated boiler, thus reducing harmful carbon emissions (Source: Energy Saving Trust, October 2011).
• Burning fossil fuels like gas more efficiently means less other harmful pollutants entering the atmosphere.
• Natural gas is a non-renewable resource, so using it more efficiently lessens more exploration.

 

Q. What is the Gas Safe Register?

The Gas Safe Register is the official list of gas engineers who are registered to work safely and legally on gas appliances in the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Guernsey. All Tesco Home Efficiency installers are Gas Safe registered.

Q. Are your installers also Competent Person Scheme members or Approved Certifier of Construction Scheme (Scotland) members?

All of our installers are members of these schemes. Competent Person Scheme (UK) or Approved Certifier of Construction Scheme (Scotland) members can self-certify their work as compliant with Building Regulations. They may also notify their local authority on your behalf and issue you with a certificate on completion that is used as proof of compliance. This will show up on a solicitor´s local authority search should you decide to sell your home.

Q. Can I have a solar panel system with a combi or system boilers?

Unfortunately it can be expensive to integrate combi or system boilers with a solar panel system. Please contact us for more information.

Q. How much space do I need for a condensing boiler?

Most of our range of boilers will be smaller than an average-sized dishwasher and can be fitted up high on kitchen walls if space is an issue.

Q. How long does it take to install a boiler system?

An average domestic installation takes approximately 1-2 days, depending on the size of the system.

Q. What is boiler interlock?

A boiler interlock is an arrange of the heating system controls (room thermostats, programmable room thermostats, cylinder thermostats, programmers and time switches) in such a way that it ensures that the boiler does not fire when there is no demand for heat.

Q. Should I fit a water softener with my boiler?

We advise against this as the pH value would alter, affecting the lifespan of your boiler.

Q. Why is my current system being flushed before and after boiler replacement?

It is recommended by safety standard BS7593 to flush the system prior to installation. After installation the system will be cleansed of debris and refilled with inhibitor. This removes scaling and debris that might affect the new boiler.

Q. How could water pressure affect my boiler?

For all cold-mains-fed boilers the water main must be large enough to deliver adequate water to the boiler while other cold outlets are in use. Pressure and flow rate are thus vital to the boiler´s performance. Usually boilers are given priority, piping the water as the first draw off from the mains. If the water pressure is excessive from the mains a reducing valve may be required to protect the appliance. The maximum incoming water pressure is normal at 10 bar.

Q. Why is my boiler´s hot water sometimes cloudy?

Water from combi boilers heat directly from the mains, so first atmospheric contact occurs when it comes out of the tap. During heating any calcium bicarbonate present in the water changes to calcium carbonate. This causes the creation of CO2, which close up is seen as many tiny bubbles. This makes the water appear cloudy. It is merely cosmetic and is not sediment etc. You can check this by running some of the water into a glass and letting it cool off - slowly it will clear. This cloudy water phenomenon is more common is hard water areas with slower and/or lower flow rates.