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Running a household that is energy efficient while keeping the cost of your fuel bills as well as utilities down as low as possible can be a tricky balancing act. A key area where you can improve upon both of these is in relation to your home’s central heating system. Your oil boiler is considered the lynchpin of your central heating system and should be looked after accordingly. Taking care of the oil boiler is the key to having a home heating system which keeps fuel bills down to an acceptable level while maintaining economically and environmentally responsible levels of energy efficiency.

In a great many cases, all you have to do in order to get the optimum performance out of your oil boiler is make sure that you avail of an annual oil boiler service as well as the odd minor repair service when necessity demands it. While this will be enough maintenance for most oil boilers, in the cases where your oil boiler is quite old or has been ignored to the point of severe deterioration more drastic action may be required. In some cases an oil boiler has simply outlived its usefulness and a full oil boiler upgrade service is the only economically sound option that you can carry out in order to get your home’s central heating system back up working at its best possible levels of energy efficiency.

When is an Oil Boiler Needed?

As carrying out a complete oil boiler upgrade is a comparatively more costly and time-consuming process than standard oil boiler maintenance, it is a good idea to make sure that you are not getting one frivolously. Since no two households’ central heating systems are exactly the same, we cannot simply state outright whether or not you need an oil boiler upgrade as opposed to merely carrying out some simpler, shorter term oil boiler maintenance.

However, there are several specific circumstances where you can be pretty sure that you need one. Read on to see what they are.

How Fuel Efficient Should an Oil Boiler be?

As with pretty much every aspect of a home, every household’s oil boiler is unique; whether it is down to model/design or a question of condition and maintenance, all oil boilers convert fuel into usable heating energy at different levels of efficiency. This difference can range anywhere from being minuscule and unnoticeable to a drastic difference in fuel consumption.

Generally speaking, any oil boiler which has a fuel to energy conversion rate of more than 80% is referred to as being a high efficiency condensing oil boiler. This means that the vast majority of fuel burned by the oil boiler will be converted directly into usable heating energy. Some particularly high-efficiency oil boilers, such as those made by Worcester Bosch, can convert over 90% of the oil they burn, making them some of the best oil boilers on the market.

So long as your oil boiler is converting upward of 80% of its burned fuel into usable heating energy for your home you have little to worry about and will not need to consider upgrading it for quite some time as it is still running at a fairly efficient rate and not wasting much fuel and money (in terms of heating bills). However, it is strongly recommended that oil boilers which are 10-15 years old be considered for replacement as their efficiency rating will have almost certainly dropped significantly through general wear and tear (even if they have been serviced regularly and taken care of properly). In addition, as home central heating technology is constantly improving, the oil boilers of today work far better than those of a decade ago. Even a (relatively) poorly maintained high-efficiency oil condensing boiler will burn fuel more efficiently than a well-kept oil boiler that is more than a decade old.

As a rule of thumb, it is the general consensus that any gas boiler which is graded as being in excess of 80% fuel efficient is referred to as being a high-efficiency boiler. The higher the percentage o fuel which is directly converted into usable heating energy, the higher the gas boiler’s rating. For example, the Worcester Bosch high-efficiency gas condensing boilers which are stocked and installed by DeWAR Plumbers convert over 90% of their fuel into heating energy. To this end, they are considered A-rated boilers.

If you are not what exactly your oil boiler’s fuel efficiency rating is, you can find out this information here so long as you know what its make and model are.

How to tell if your Oil Boiler is Running at Full Efficiency:

Just because your oil boiler is a high-efficiency model from a reputable brand that does not necessarily mean that it will continue to run at this high level of performance forever. Even the very best oil boilers on the market will need to be looked after in order for them to maintain their fuel efficiency rating. Much like any machine or electrical appliance that you will encounter, oil boilers can and almost inevitably will deteriorate in terms of efficiency over time due to natural wear and tear.

However, there are several ways to maintain your oil boiler’s high levels of fuel converting efficiency. The main one is having the oil boiler serviced by a professional engineer on a regular basis (once a year should do the trick) in order to check on the boiler and ensure that everything is running smoothly in relation to the fuel burning process. Such services also identify any potential problems that an oil boiler may be starting to show signs of, allowing them to be quickly and efficiently ‘nipped in the bud’ with as little expense to you as possible.

Even though a gas boiler is a satisfactory make and model which burns fuel at an efficiency rating upward of 80% out of the factory, that does not mean that the prospect of you potentially needing a gas boiler upgrade service is completely out of the question. Like all machines and household appliances, gas boilers can and will deteriorate over time. This will happen very gradually if you take care of your gas boiler with regular servicing and appropriate levels of maintenance. However, if the correct measures are not taken to ensure that your gas boiler is being properly taken care of, its fuel efficiency levels can plummet dramatically in a relatively short space of time.

When having your oil boiler serviced, be sure to keep in mind that it is highly recommended that any engineer that you have carried out the service is a fully accredited OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association) member. While this is not a legal requirement in the Republic of Ireland, it is still preferable as this additional qualification is a sign of a knowledgeable and experienced oil engineer.
DeWAR Plumbers are OFTEC accredited oil engineers.

How often is your Oil Boiler Breaking Down?

In this day and age, having an oil boiler which breaks down sometimes, let alone often is unacceptable. Boiler breakdown is a sign of serious problems located within a central heating system which should be addressed in a swift and efficient manner. In addition to improving upon fuel burning efficiency, having your oil boiler serviced regularly will help you identify the potential for boiler breakdown before it happens and saving you the trouble of your oil boiler failing at an inopportune time.

Frequently repairing an old oil boiler can be a very costly and time-consuming process, especially if replacement parts are becoming rare and tricky/expensive to order in. In such scenarios, you should weigh up how much it is costing to carry out repair works relatively frequently in relation to simply biting the bullet and getting an oil boiler upgrade carried out. In the long run, the oil boiler upgrade service will most likely be the more sustainable and economically viable option.

Are Heating Controls worth getting for Oil Boilers?

To put it mildly, heating controls are a fantastic upgrade for any home central heating system’s oil boiler. They give the homeowner greatly improved management of your central heating, by means of timers and an advanced regulatory thermostat, allowing you to finely tune the system to suit your own specific daily needs. When used properly, heating controls can save anywhere up to one fifth of the total cost of a household’s central heating bills – a substantial saving.

While some people see upgrading their heating controls as an alternative to getting a full oil boiler upgrade service, in truth the two work best when combined. Having both done will give your home the very best in terms of home fuel efficiency, repaying great dividends in terms of your annual home heating bills.

Are there any Grants Available When Upgrading Gas Boiler?

You can contact the SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) in order to find out if you are entitled to monetary relief when upgrading either your oil boiler or your central heating system’s controls. Every year they help people save thousands of Euros off the price of such upgrades by means of their BEH (Better Energy Homes) scheme. All money paid out is subject to an individual home’s specific circumstances. Click here to find out more about the SEAI, BEH and their associated monetary relief initiatives.

To make an inquiry about an oil boiler upgrade feel free to call DeWAR Plumbers on our phone number 01 514 3300 or send us an email so we can determine a price for you.

Upgrading Your Gas Boiler – When is the Right Time?

Upgrading Your Gas Boiler – One of the key challenges associated with modern living that homeowners need to contend with is that of running an energy efficient home while keeping the cost of utility and fuel bills as low as possible. One of the most costly aspects of any home is its central heating system. This is why it is of the utmost importance to ensure that you’re gas boiler is running as efficiently as possible. Your gas boiler is essentially the ‘heart’ of your home’s central heating system and everybody knows that a healthy heart makes for a healthy body.

A lot of the time, simply ensuring that you gas boiler is serviced regularly is enough to keep it running at the necessary levels of fuel efficiency, with occasional small repairs being implemented when (and if) required. However, in the case of older or particularly run down gas boilers, regular servicing and repair work may simply not be enough to keep the boiler running at a sufficient level of fuel efficiency. In some cases the only truly economically viable solution to your home’s central heating problems is instigating a full gas boiler replacement service.

Is Upgrading Your Gas Boiler Necessary?

Upgrading a gas boiler to a more fuel efficient model tends to be a somewhat more complicated and expensive (at least in terms of the immediate future) undertaking than other, more short term, means of improving gas boiler efficiency. To that end, it is quite important that you are sure that upgrading your gas boiler is the right option for you before going through the trouble of organising one.

Every homeowner’s individual circumstances are different, so there is no single definitive answer as to whether or not a gas boiler upgrade is a good idea. However, there are a few key questions that you should look to answer that will help make your decision an awful lot easier. Ask the following questions of your gas boiler:

How Efficient does my Gas Boiler Need to be?

Much like how the circumstances surrounding different households vary, so too do individual gas boilers. Each different style of the gas boiler from each different manufacturer is unique in terms of both design and its ability to convert fuel into usable heating energy, ranging from those which would be considered quite poor (by modern standards) and those which are considered A-rated in terms of fuel efficiency as well as everything in between.

Generally speaking, once your gas boiler is running at a fuel efficiency rating that is upward of 80%, you shouldn’t be in any major hurry to have it upgraded as it would take a considerable amount of time for the costs saved in terms of improved fuel efficiency to offset the price of having a gas boiler replacement carried out.

However, if your gas boiler’s efficiency rating falls below the 80% mark then serious consideration should be given to carrying out a gas boiler upgrade service. Remember, the lower the efficiency rating of a gas boiler, the more fuel, and therefor money, it wastes on a daily basis.

If you are unsure as to what your gas boiler’s fuel efficiency rating is, you can find it out here once you know its make and model.

How can you tell if Your Gas Boiler is Running at its Full Fuel Efficiency Levels?

The key to keeping a hold on your gas boiler’s fuel efficiency levels is by having your boiler serviced by a registered professional on a yearly basis (at least). They will be able to tell how efficiently (or inefficiently) your gas boiler is operating and, if it is deemed inefficient, they will make a recommendation on what course of action best suits your circumstances. In the best case scenario, you may need to take no action in addition to the annual gas boiler service. Depending on you gas boiler’s condition though, repair works or even an upgrade service may be required.

It is of the utmost importance that anyone that you have to service or doing any work (for that matter) on a gas boiler is fully certified as an RGI (Registered Gas Installer) from the RGII (Registered Gas Installers of Ireland). All of DeWAR Plumbers’ engineers are registered with the RGII.

The typical life span of a home gas boiler tends to be about fifteen years. Even if your boiler is not causing any obvious problems (such as boiler break down) and has been serviced regularly, it will most likely have lost much of its fuel efficiency by the time it reaches this age. It is very rare that a gas boiler this old does not need to be replaced with a more efficient model. It is only natural that a brand new gas boiler would work better than one built more than a decade ago.

Does Your Gas Boiler Ever Break Down?

To put it bluntly, if your gas boiler breaks down at all then you have a serious problem which must be sorted out as soon as possible. Servicing your boiler regularly helps to considerably reduce the likelihood of such a boiler break down in addition to improving the overall fuel efficiency levels of your home’s central heating system. Having a gas boiler breaking down is a stressful experience which can often be time-consuming and expensive to rectify. If this is happening to your gas boiler semi-regularly and the cost of consistently repairing the boiler are adding up it may well be time to consider upgrading your gas boiler as constantly repairing a faulty boiler is not an economically sustainable home central heating system maintenance strategy.

How Much are You Spending on Gas Boiler Repairs?

While a lot of the repairs that a gas boiler will need throughout its lifestyle are relatively quick to perform and not too expensive, things tend to become increasingly complicated as the boiler ages. Not only are older gas boilers more prone to braking down, they are also much harder (and more expensive) to source suitable replacement parts for. If replacement parts are becoming increasingly difficult and costly to purchase then it is probably time to consider having a gas boiler upgrade service carried out, especially if your gas boiler needs to be repaired on a fairly regular basis.

Is it Worth Investing in Heating Controls for Gas Boilers?

There are a great many advantages associated with installing heating controls to be used with your central heating system’s gas boiler. Most notably of all is that gas boiler heating controls put you in direct control of your home’s central heating system, giving you the power to fine tune your heating needs specifically to your own individual requirements. Under proper use, gas boiler heating controls have been shown to help homeowners save up to twenty percent off the total cost of their home’s central heating bills. That’s a massive saving of one euro for every four euros spent on heating bills over the course of the year.

Upgrading your gas boiler heating controls is generally seen as a cost effective means of increasing your home’s central heating system’s fuel efficiency and reducing energy costs (instead of having a full gas boiler upgrade carried out). While this is true to some extent, the best results in terms of making your home’s central heating system more economical are by combining the two. Upgrading your gas boiler as well as having state of the art heating controls will have your home’s central heating system working at its optimum levels of fuel and energy efficiency, generating massive savings for your household when it comes to paying bills.

What Grants Are Available for Upgrading Your Gas Boiler?

If you are looking to upgrade your gas boiler then it is well worth contacting the SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) to see if you are eligible for a grant to alleviate the cost of having your works carried out under their BEH (Better Energy Homes) initiative. Depending on your financial circumstances, grant relief can be obtained for upgrading your gas boiler itself, upgrading your gas boiler’s heating controls or both.
More details on the SEAI’s Better Energy Homes grant scheme can be found here.

If you would like to make an inquiry in relation to having your gas boiler upgraded, feel free to call DeWAR Plumbers on our phone number 01 514 3300. Alternatively you can email us with your questions.

The Actual Cost of Water Charges

One of the biggest talking points in Irish news this week was the announcement of Minister For The Environment Phil Hogan’s declaration that Irish households will receive an annual allowance for 30,000 litres of ‘free’ water under the upcoming water charges system which is due to come into effect in January 2015.

Water Charges

Hogan has described this allowance as being ‘generous’ as an additional 38,000 litres worth of ‘free’ water will be allocated for each legal child (ie: up to the age of 18 years old) that is living in the household.

But how do Minister Hogan’s claims of generosity hold up to scrutiny? Well, it has been calculated that the average Irish household uses up approximately 140,000 litres worth of water every year. If you take it as a given that said household is home to two people under the age of 18, that generates a grand total of 106,000 litres of water in terms of allowance – a shortfall of 34,000 litres in relation to what a household typically uses over the course of the year. In practice, this means that virtually all households will exceed the ‘generous’ free water limit and have to pay a hefty fee of €240 to use water in the year 2015.

Related: Saving Water at Home – tips to reduce the likelihood of your household falliing afoul of the upcoming water charges.

Fortunately, not all of the news to come from Minister Hogan’s was necessarily bad. A planned standing charge of €50 per year regardless of how much water a household uses was scrapped after intense public outcry and discontent. However, uninhabited properties (such as ones which are available for rent and holiday homes) may yet be charged. Hogan said that this was because of “social and environmental reasons”, but did not elaborate in any great detail.

There are also plans in place to cap how much people who need to use more water than average due to medical conditions (such as those who need to use home dialysis machines) will be charged. A ‘free fix’ scheme is also being set up which will mean that homeowners may have leaking supply pipes, which is generating water wastage which contributes to the billed meters, fixed free of charge. However, this only applies to the first time of asking and any additional repairs will be charged for.

It is believed that around 40% of Ireland’s water supply is wasted thanks to leakages due to faulty piping, while up to 23,500 people, mostly in rural areas, need to boil their water before using it for sanitary reasons, thereby forcing them to use up more water than most even for simple tasks.

Irish Water is said to be planning a whole host of different payment options which they say will make the water charges more affordable for homeowners who are struggling financially. Such measures could see the charges being paid for in installments as low as €10. However, the full charge of €240 will still apply.

The aforementioned pricing structure is due to be in place until January 2016 when it will come under revision. Many expect charges to be increased at this point due to the fact that Minister Hogan did not comment on what was planned for 2016 and onward in terms of water charges.

Minister Hogan believes that the water charges’ pricing plan is fair and reflects:

However, Deputy TD Brian Stanely believes that many will have to pay a lot more than the €240 figure which is being bandied about:

A Guide to Water Pressure / Water Flow

Water Pressure / Water Flow

What is the difference between Water Flow and Water Pressure?

Water Flow:

The term ‘water flow’ is simply a means of measuring the amount of water which is expelled from a source (eg: a tap) over a pre-determined period of time. Exactly which period of time is used to measure flow depends on how much water is flowing, but for households, it is usually measured in the form of litres per second for the sake of simplicity and easy calculation.

Water Pressure:

The term is a means of measuring the amount of force with which water is expelled from a source (eg: a shower) as opposed to the volume of water (ie: the water flow). There is often an inverse relationship between water pressure and water flow. For example, if a tap’s faucet is only partially open, the water will come out at a higher pressure (with less overall water flow) as it is being condensed. Opening the faucet more will cause the water pressure to lessen, but increase the overall water flow by a significant margin.

Water pressure is considerably more difficult to measure than water flow in all but the vaguest of measurements. While you can usually tell if water is coming out at low or high pressure simply by looking at it but getting an accurate reading of the exact water pressure levels virtually impossible to do without specialist tools. These are particularly useful when having new water based appliances installed, repaired and replaced.

Here the main ways DeWAR Plumbers use to measure water flow and water pressure:

Measuring Water Flow:

Anyone can measure water flow in a rough fashion. To do this, all one needs is a ten-litre bucket and a watch:

For a more accurate reading, you will need to use a device such as a water flow weir cup. This takes very accurate water flow measurements in both litres per second and also gallons per minute, allowing a plumber much more specific readings which are vital when installing appliances which use a particularly large flow of water such as combi boilers or high efficiency condensing boilers. If the water flow is deemed to be insufficient, then the water flow weir cup can be used to adjust it so that it can be used for the required task at hand based on the appliance’s manufacturer’s specifications.

Measuring Water Pressure:

This is the most commonly used means of gauging water pressure by a plumber. When the mains water gauge is attached to a water outlet it is then possible to read the levels of water pressure coming from the same outlet. This is usually measured by means of a series of bars which the plumber can then check in accordance with your appliances’ manufacturer’s specifications in order to ensure that they are operating at the correct level of water pressure.