Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House, Abbey Close,
Abingdon, OX14 3JE
Email: comments@whitehorsedc.gov.uk
Telephone: 01235 520202

Vale of White Horse District Council

Saving energy - heating

For energy efficiency advice about the following types of heating, please follow these links:

Boilers
Heating controls
Radiators
Room heaters

Boilers

Modern condensing boilers can be up to 95 per cent efficient and are now compulsory under Building Regulations; older boilers can have an efficiency as low as 65 per cent. Boilers are rated according to their efficiency using the SEDBUK scale of A to G. You can find out how efficient your boiler is on the SEDBUK website.

A modern high efficiency condensing boiler with heating controls could reduce heating bills by up to £200 a year. A condensing boiler will also significantly cut a home's carbon dioxide emissions as boilers account for around 60 per cent of a home’s carbon dioxide emissions. 

As the lifespan of a boiler is around 15 years, a high efficiency condensing boiler with the correct heating controls can make a substantial difference to heating bills over the lifetime of the boiler. There may be grants and offers available to help you install an energy efficient heating system. There are a variety of boiler types available.
 

Heating controls

There are various controls for heating and hot water systems that enable you to control where and when heat and hot water are distributed. Controls enable your system to operate as efficiently as it can and quickly respond to changing conditions. To manage a heating system efficiently and keep running costs to a minimum a property should have the following controls.

Thermostat pic

Radiators

Thermostatic radiator valves
Thermostatic radiator valves control the temperature of individual radiators and prevent rooms from overheating. Fitted to the radiator in place of ordinary valve, they can vary the amount of water that flows through a radiator. Thermostatic radiator valves are inexpensive and easy to install.

Radiator shelves
Fitting a shelf above a radiator will help to deflect heat back into the room, which would otherwise rise.  Shelves are particularly effective if fitted above radiators which are underneath windows, so that the bottom of the curtains just rest on the shelf. This prevents warm air from being trapped and wasted between the curtain and the window. 

Reflector panels
The efficiency of radiators which are against outside walls can be increased by fitting aluminium foil on the wall behind them. This reflects the radiant heat back into the room, heat which would otherwise be lost through the wall. You can buy purpose made reflectors from most DIY stores or make your own using aluminium foil and cardboard. 

Room heaters

Room heaters may be used instead or in conjunction with central heating systems.

Electrical room heaters can be electric fires, fan heaters, oil filled radiators, convector heaters, storage heaters and panel heaters. Electric heaters tend to have higher running costs. 

• Typical running cost 3.6p – 8.3p per useful kilowatt hour

Mains gas fires are relatively cheap to run, however they are not very efficient unless run in conjunction with a central heating system. Typically, they tend to be more for decorative purposes.  

• Typical running cost 4.6p – 6.43p per useful kilowatt hour (up to 11.9p when used without central heating)

Bottled gas or LPG heaters are free standing and fuelled by refillable gas cylinders. They can be expensive and dangerous if used incorrectly and produce water vapour resulting in condensation if the room is not heated or ventilated adequately. 

• Typical running cost 8.3p – 17.8p per useful kilowatt hour

Solid Fuel heaters can be either open or closed front. Modern solid fuel burners will have a damper to control the speed of burning and are often used to create a focal point in a room. Older solid fuel room heaters tend to be inefficient. Solid fuel available includes coal, anthracite nuts or wood. 

• Typical running cost 4.07p – 8.23p per useful kilowatt hour

Important Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips

All appliances need fresh air to burn safely. If there is not enough air or if ventilation has been blocked up, carbon monoxide can be produced. As it has no colour, no smell and no taste, it is very difficult to detect. Ignoring the danger signs listed below could be fatal: 

• Stains around the appliance 
• Yellowish coloured flame on your fire 
• Strange smell from the appliance when switched on       

If anyone in your home has any of the following symptoms after using a gas appliance, stop using it immediately and go to the doctor: 

• Sickness, diarrhoea or stomach pains 
• Sudden dizziness on standing 
• General tiredness       

Ensure all appliances are checked regularly by a CORGI registered fitter. If you are a tenant the Landlord is required by law to have the gas appliance checked once a year and provide a Gas Safety Certificate. More information is available from the Health and Safety Executive.