You might not pay much attention to your boiler. As long as it’s doing its job, why would you? So you might be surprised to find out just how far this household essential has evolved in recent years. The most dramatic change occurred in April 2005 after which time all new and replacement boilers had to be condensing boilers. And that change matters.
Revolution and evolution, all in one.
Before condensing boilers became the standard, traditional (non-condensing) boilers were wasting a significant amount of energy — with hot gases escaping straight out of the flue. These boilers typically operated at only 60–70% efficiency. That means up to 40% of the energy used was lost as waste heat. As a result, homeowners were spending more on fuel, and carbon emissions were unnecessarily high.
In an effort to reduce both emissions and energy bills, the government introduced a new building regulation that made condensing boilers the norm. Condensing boilers represented a big step forward as they captured and reused waste heat, improving energy efficiency to over 90%.
The result was that millions of homes benefitted from lower energy costs and a smaller carbon footprint. This shift played a major role in helping the country move toward its climate targets — and Alpha was there from the start, delivering high-performance condensing boilers trusted by installers and homeowners alike.
Taking it to the next level
So what’s next? With the UK’s ambition to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, the pressure is on to make the next leap towards more sustainable heating. Unlike 20 years ago, however, things are a little more complicated and a single change in regulation likely isn’t enough to move the dial.
What’s needed is a comprehensive and flexible approach to heating. Every home is unique; therefore we believe we need to offer homeowners and installers a flexible and smarter approach to home heating.
Our condensing combi and system boilers
The boiler needs to operate as efficiently as possible, so our range of combi boilers and system boilers are designed to do just that. From the Good Homes approved E-Tec Plus NX combi to the E-Tec NXS system boiler, there’s a good solution. However, the next level of heating will involve making the switch to…
Highly efficient heat pumps
For homes which are heat pump ready, we’ve a range that meets demand. The Alpha Hydro and Magis M offer highly efficient ways to switch off the gas and move towards sustainable heating. The government is continuing to support the heat pump transition via its Boiler Upgrade Scheme. We advise speaking to us or an installer to find out more about the finance support available.
Our most flexible solution yet
Of course, not every home is heat pump ready. That’s where our E-Tec Hybrid Heat Pump comes into its own. Suitable for homes which have only ever used combi boilers, or smaller homes in general, the hybrid system easily integrates into existing pipework to minimise installation needs. It’s the perfect stepping stone into more carbon efficient heating.
Are you ready for the next big leap?
Whether your boiler is coming towards the end of its life, or you’re looking to get ahead and make the switch early, we’ve a solution tailored for your home. The goal of moving towards net zero is ambitious, challenging, but achievable. So if you’re ready to take that next step on the journey, you can contact us direct or speak to your installer to find out more about what your heating options are.