Frequently Asked Questions

Do i have to change my gas boiler to a heat pump?

NO! There is currently no reason at all that you cannot install a new gas boiler. In fact, if you have an old boiler now is a great time to change your gas boiler to a brand new one. Gas boilers are much more efficient now than they ever have been. This means they use less gas to operate and waste less energy during operation which means they cost less money to run. Most manufacturers offer long warranties (Intergas offer 10 years!) which gives you peace of mind that you won’t have any unexpected maintenance costs in the unlikely event that your new boiler breaks down. Modern control systems allow us to heat your home more accurately when you need it. So if your boiler is getting on a bit, why not give us a call for a quote and start getting the benefits of a new boiler as soon as possible.

What is a combi boiler?

A combi boiler is a combination of your hot water tank and your gas boiler for space heating in one appliance. They uses a higher power setting to heat the water instantaneously as you require it. This can reduce your energy usage as you only ever heat the water you use. A combi boiler can be used in a house/dwelling with up to 2 bathrooms/shower rooms. Combi boilers are not suitable for larger houses.

What is a condensing Boiler?

A condensing boiler is a type of water heater used for heating systems. It runs on gas or oil and uses condensing technology to maximize heat efficiency. It converts water vapor into heat to recover lost energy from waste gases. This process allows for high efficiency of over 90%. The burner heats a primary heat exchanger to increase temperature, which then transfers heat to the radiators. It also has a secondary condensing area, unlike other boilers. This area causes warm air to condense into water droplets, which are collected and drained. Since 2005, all new domestic boilers in the UK use condensing technology.

Are gas boilers bad for the environment?

Yes, there’s no getting away from it, gas boilers have a big impact on the environment. Here are some important points: Gas boilers in the UK produce twice as much carbon emissions as all the nation's gas-fired power stations combined. Heating homes with gas or oil is a major cause of carbon emissions, making up around 20% of CO2 in the US and UK. Gas boilers also produce eight times more nitrogen dioxide than power plants, which is a harmful air pollutant that causes tens of thousands of premature deaths each year in the UK. Heating accounts for 40% of the UK's energy use, with 85% of homes using natural gas made from fossil fuel. Homes in the UK produce 14% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions, similar to emissions from cars. These findings show the urgent need for strong government policies to switch to low-carbon heating options like heat pumps. The Committee on Climate Change recommends that by 2025, new homes should not be connected to the gas grid. However, using lower carbon fuels would help reduce the environmental impact of heating.

How do Heat Pumps work?

A heat pump is an electrically-powered device which absorbs heat from the air, ground or water around a building. It uses electricity to transfer heat from one place to another rather than generating heat itself. In the winter, a heat pump provides heating by extracting heat from outside a building and moving it inside. In the summer, some models can provide cooling by moving heat from indoors to the outside.

Here’s how it works:

• Heat could be sourced from the air outside or warmth from the ground.

• This is blown or pumped over the heat exchange surface of the exterior part of the heat pump.

• This heat is warm enough to cause the refrigerant liquid in the heat pump to evaporate and turn into a gas.

• This gas is then moved through a compressor, which increases the pressure, causing its temperature to rise.

• The gas (now heated) is passed over the internal heat exchange surface.

• This heat can then be either blown around the home’s interior or transferred into a central heating or hot water system.

• As the heat is transferred into the home, the gas falls in temperature, causing it to return to a liquid state.

• The cycle of reverse refrigeration repeats until your home reaches the required temperature setting on your thermostat.

What are the benefits of a Heat Pump?

There are many benefits of using a heat pump. Heat pumps are more efficient than other heating systems because the amount of heat they produce is more than the amount of electricity they use. The amount of heat produced for every unit of electricity used is known as the Coefficient of Performance (CoP). Heat pumps can also be paired with alternative energy sources to further improve the environmental impact of your heating and hot water whilst also minimizing electricity costs.

Here are some of the benefits of using a heat pump system in your home:

• Low Running Costs: Low running costs can help to reduce household energy bills.

• Renewable Energy: Heat pumps are a renewable energy source, which means they don’t rely on fossil fuels.

• Environmentally Friendly: Heat pumps don’t produce any harmful emissions, making them an environmentally friendly option.

• Versatile: Heat pumps can be used for both heating and cooling your home.

• Long Lifespan: Heat pumps have a longer lifespan than traditional boilers.