Condensing Boilers: What Are the Advantages?

Water heating remains the second largest component of residential energy use in Australia, hence demand for energy efficient water heaters continues to rise. Condensing boilers use gas or oil to heat water and have a high energy efficiency rating of over 90%. During the chilly winter months, they can also be used as a central heating system to warm your entire home. These systems have been effectively implemented in a number of nations, primarily in Europe, but they are also becoming more commonly utilized in Australia. The advantages of using condensing boilers will be discussed below.

Efficiency

When compared to traditional heating systems, condensing boilers have a high thermal efficiency, which means they can save you money on gas and energy. Due to the lack of a Heating Boiler Efficiency Rating system in Australia, you can compare condensing boilers using the Seasonal Efficiency of a Domestic Boiler in the UK (Sedbuk) rating system in Europe. The Sedbuk rating method is effective in determining boiler efficiency.

Emissions

Because condensing boilers emit less carbon than conventional boilers, they can help to mitigate the consequences of global warming. In addition, sophisticated controls in modern boilers have the ability to reduce dangerous nitrogen oxide gas emissions.

Comfort and Control

Modern boilers combine precise temperature control with high burner turndown, giving you complete control over the temperature of your water and your home. Traditional boilers have a low burner turndown, which results in poor temperature control at the terminal units. To maintain water temperature, some boilers will utilize a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller. These systems can also offer hot water to homes with one to two bathrooms without losing efficiency.

Life Expectancy

High-efficiency boiler heat exchangers are made of high-quality materials that allow them to sustain years of condensing operation without substantial corrosion. A new condensing boiler is expected to have a 15-year lifespan.

Running Costs

Although condensing boilers are 30% to 50% more expensive than traditional boilers, they can save you up to 17% on your water heating expenditures. They are also constructed with simplified hydronic loops, which lowers maintenance expenses.

Space Requirements

A key difficulty in building design is allocating space expressly for traditional boilers. Condensing boilers, particularly fully modulating systems, provide a wide range of venting possibilities. Because modular boilers can be vented individually through a sidewall, project costs are lower and more building space is available.