Energy Efficiency: FAQs for Installers

The homeowner may see increased energy saving or ease of use (in the case of a smart thermostat) by installing more than one of the additional energy efficiency options but it will not alter compliance with Boiler Plus. There are no additional “points” or gains from a legislative perspective of installing more than 1 of the additional energy efficiency measures.

ErP Ratings of the Ideal Domestic Boiler Range – all comply with Boiler Plus.

The ERP system label enables the installer to aggregate products into a higher efficiency category i.e. a boiler and control can be added to achieve a higher system rating, this is different to Boiler Plus as specific measures are applied as listed for the 4 optional measures, this means a system label can be generated for all systems however that system may not comply with Boiler Plus.

For example a Logic Combi C fitted with an electromechanical timer would have an ErP label but would not comply with Boiler Plus without additional accessories e.g. weather compensation.

No, only 1 out of the 4 energy efficiency options need to be installed alongside any replacement combi boiler.

Smart thermostats are products that let consumers remotely control their home temperature via a tablet, smartphone or desktop for greater control over the central heating system.

Automation is a function that allows the device to automatically control the heating system output in response to programmed demand (e.g. scheduling with temperature control) or occupancy detection, an advanced example of this is the use of geolocation.

Optimisation means the device calculates how long it takes the property to reach the desired comfort level, and times the system’s operation to minimise the amount of work it has to do. Usually it also modulates the output of the boiler in a similar way to load compensation, so as little fuel as possible is consumed.

The Ideal Touch Connect thermostat which is due to launch in 2018 will be a smart, connected control with automation (scheduling with temperature control) and optimisation.

This feature within modern central heating controls adjusts the temperature of the water going to your radiators automatically. When your home is cold, the temperature going to your radiators will be high, but as the room warms up less heat is required, and the temperature going to the radiators will be reduced. This means your gas boiler matches your homes heat requirements better than a simple on/off control, reducing energy wastage and maintaining comfort conditions. The Ideal Touch control provides load compensation.

Weather compensation interacts intelligently with the boiler to reduce radiator water temperatures based on outside temperatures, which increases efficiency without compromising user comfort. Many users have reported significantly improved comfort, as the boiler is better able to maintain a steady internal temperature by adjusting boiler output to account for changes in the weather. Weather compensators can be a simple external sensor feeding weather data back to the boiler.

Ideal provide an external weather sensor that can be purchased as an accessory.

FGHRS recover heat from waste flue gases to preheat the cold water entering the boiler, lowering the amount of energy needed to warm the water up to the required level. Almost all modern boilers already have some sort of heat recovery built in, making condensing boilers much more efficient than older ones. Even so, FGHRS can further increase the efficiency of these condensing boilers in most cases, delivering the same amount of heat with up to 4% less gas.

The Ideal Logic Code Combi ESP1 has a built in FGHRS.

Boiler Plus aims to ensure that households are running efficient heating systems which should help to conserve energy bills. The provision of an additional energy efficiency measure with any replacement combi boiler may cause a slight increase in initial cost at installation, however there are a variety of solutions available covering a range of cost options giving choice to the homeowner.

Boiler Plus applies to all households in England as of 1st April 2018. The provision of an additional energy efficiency measure applies to replacement combi boilers only.

ErP is designed to help the EU achieve its target of reducing energy use by 20% and increasing the share of renewable energies by 20% before 2020. It will affect all space and water heaters, ensuring they meet minimum efficiency requirements, and use the same type of energy efficiency labels seen on other white goods such as fridges and freezers. Manufacturers will only be able to sell compliant products after 26th September 2015.