Background
Over the last few years boiler manufacturers have been coming up with high efficiency condensing boiler which offer dramatically better output compared with traditional boilers. Traditional boilers typically have efficiency of around 70% (that’s the percentage of useable energy output compared to the energy input). High EfficiencyA high efficiency condensing boiler will have efficiency rating of at least 86%. In reality an A rated boiler will have an efficiency of over 90%, while a B rated boiler will have at least 86% (and both rates will qualify for the ‘High Efficiency” band).
How is the Boiler’s Efficiency Improved?
The dramatic increase in efficiency between the traditional and the high efficiency condensing boilers is achieved by further extraction of heat from the gases that would have previously been released through the flue into the outside air. Traditional boilers use a single combustion chamber, enclosed by waterways of the heat exchanger where the hot gases travel. The hot gases then push through the flue (normally at the top most point of the boiler) and go into the outer environment at a high temperature of approximately 180c. What Makes the Condensing Boiler a “High Efficient Boiler”?The wasted heat is what makes condensing boilers so efficient by actually reclaiming it and converting it back into useable energy. When the heat rises up towards the primary heat exchanger, the condensing boiler then diverts the gases back into a secondary heat exchanger. This way the gases lose much more of their energy and pass it to the water for domestic use. The gases leave the boiler via the flue at a temperature of approximately 55c, significantly lower compared to a traditional boiler. Such reduction in temperature causes the water inside the gases (which are standard outcome of the burning process) to condensate into small drops, and through gravity to roll down to the base of the flue. The rest of the gases are then expelled from the boiler into the outer environment through a fan assisted flue. The water condensate is drained into a discharge pipe or into an external drain. Condensing Boilers ConsiderationsPlastic and clay drainage are the most effective in dealing with the water which has an acidic properties and contain traces of nitric and sulphurous acids. Cast iron as well as cement and concrete products show the least resilience to this water and will get damaged over time. This problem can also affect older properties with salt glazed drain pipes with cement joints. However in reality the acidic water gets diluted heavily by water from sanitary uses thus reducing the risk of damage to the pipe and drain systems. Leading UK Boiler ManufacturersHeating Central’s plumbers install a wide range of condensing boiler brands, including: - BAXI boilers
- Potterton Boilers
- Vaillant Boilers
- Worcester Bosch Boilers
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