What is Boiler Plus?
Introduced by the government in April 2018, Boiler Plus regulations aim to improve the efficiency of heating systems in residential homes so energy consumption is reduced and less carbon emissions are released. Boilers under this scheme have to be at least 92% efficient and give the user better access to heating time and temperature controls in their property.
Smart thermostats such as the well known Hive, Nest and Tado (links to Amazon UK) also give extra control over time and temperature heating settings.
New Boiler Plus regulations
Whenever a boiler is installed in an existing heating system, whether it is a new boiler in a property or a replacement boiler it will need to be at least 92% efficient and have controls which give customers the ability to make energy and cost savings.
The Boiler plus regulations apply to England only and makes timers and room thermostats a requirement for all gas and oil systems. If a gas combination boiler is installed, then an additional energy efficiency measure will also be required that gives the user power to achieve the best comfort in the home.
Additional energy efficiency measures for Boiler Plus are:
- Weather Compensation. A small temperature sensor on an outside wall monitors and controls the boiler so the flow temperature for the heating doesn’t rise more than is required.
- Smart controls. Installed alongside your boiler to give you more control of your heating even when you’re not in the house. They can also learn your routine heating schedule and ideal temperature to automatically operate in the most efficient mode.
- Load Compensation. This controls the flow temperature from the boiler measured against what temperature the user wants the room to be. This maximises fuel efficiency as it quickly modulates heating up and down.
- Flue gas heat recovery system. Is a device that captures the heat from flue gases as they are exiting the boiler to provide further heating without using extra fuel. This makes condensing boilers even more efficient as less fuel is used.
Does boiler plus apply to all boilers?
One part of Boiler Plus applies to all new gas and oil boilers installed that are required to have at least 92% efficiency and give timer and room thermostats. The additional energy efficiency measure policy applies to combi boilers only and not to heat-only boilers.
Is boiler plus mandatory?
Yes, boiler plus compliance is mandatory for boiler installations. Any boilers installed without the required measures will be non-compliant with the building regulations. No one can opt-out of the policy, not installers nor customers and ultimately the responsibility for compliance lies with the installer and action can be taken against them by the local authority.
*The information in this article should be used for general guidance only. Full details are on the link in the footer to our disclaimer page. Always discuss your requirements with a competent and suitably qualified professional before undertaking any work.
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