The government’s latest campaign urges people to turn down their boiler temperature to 60 degrees, which is predicted to help save £100 a year per household.
To save on energy bills, 56% of residents in the UK have reduced their central heating usage by at least three hours per day in December 2022, according to the survey by Uswitch.com.
boiler statistics report
With winter approaching, which regions will benefit from warmer homes and lower energy bills due to more efficient boilers? As part of their boiler statistics report, Uswitch.com investigated energy performance certificates (EPC) for regions across Great Britain.
Based on the performance and costs of hot water and heating systems, they created an index score to reveal the local authorities with the most efficient boilers on a scale from zero to ten.
High boiler efficiency
City-based local authorities score the highest for boiler efficiency, ranking in the top five.
City of London
65% of Greater London residents are open to a more sustainable alternative to boilers
Homes within the City of London have the most energy-efficient boilers, scoring 9.87 out of 10. When it comes to costs, residents of the City of London are lucky to pay the cheapest annual prices for hot water (£99.71) and annual heating (£375.65) in Great Britain.
Given the City of London’s densely populated residences, and the high energy efficiency of enclosed end-terraces (7.86/10) and enclosed mid-terraces (7.86/10), homes in the local authority benefit greatly from the proximity. But 65% of Greater London residents are open to a more sustainable alternative to boilers, with air source heat pumps being the most popular choice (41%).
Glasgow City
Glasgow City (9.72/10) follows in second place. In comparison, another Scottish local authority, Edinburgh City received almost a third less than Glasgow City in the overall boiler score (6.89/10).
However, the property type also impacts a boiler’s efficiency, with flats (8/10) being the most insulating, and maisonettes following in second (6/10).
EPC rating
Interestingly, all local authorities in Great Britain average a heating efficiency EPC rating of 3.99 or 4 out of 5. This is likely due to the varied property age that affects heating efficiency.
Newer-built properties from 2007 and 2011 are the most energy efficient, scoring 8.85/10. In comparison, properties built between 1967 and 1975 are 82.7% less efficient (1.53/10).
Low-efficiency boilers - Eilean Siar
Located in Scotland, residents of Eilean Siar have the least efficient boilers, scoring just 0.04 out of 10. Likely due to its seaside location on the Isle of Lewis, Eilean Siar scores below the average (5/10).
Despite low annual costs for hot water (£154.72), Eilean Siar has the highest heating costs in Great Britain, close to £1,017.75 a year.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
85% of Northern Ireland residents didn’t know they are eligible for the upgrade scheme
Additionally, over half of the homeowners are unaware they are eligible for the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme which incentivizes them to invest in more energy-efficient boilers.
Northern Ireland is the most unaware of all regions, 85% of its residents didn’t know they are eligible for the upgrade scheme.
tips to improve boiler efficiency
Ben Gallizzi, the boiler expert at Uswitch.com, provides top tips to improve boiler efficiency in the location, “Having an energy efficient boiler not only improves general comfort during the colder months, but it also goes a long way to save on costs and drastically improves your sustainability efforts.
- Set a timer for your boiler– To maximize the use of heating, set a time for your boiler to go on each day. This way the heating is only on when there is someone in the home to use it, cutting down on unnecessary hours of heating your home when there is no need.
- Invest in insulation– Having suitable insulation means a greater upfront cost but will likely save you money in the long run as the boiler has to operate for less time to achieve the same temperature.
- Take up the boiler upgrade initiative– Make the most of the boiler upgrade scheme offered by the government. As many as 56% of people in the UK are not aware of the upgrade scheme and a newer boiler can be much more efficient compared to its older alternatives.
- Schedule a boiler check-up– Regularly getting engineers to check on your boiler will ensure that it is running smoothly and most efficiently to heat your home. Almost a quarter of homeowners in the UK plan to schedule a boiler check-up to save on energy bills this winter.
- Bleed your radiators – To further improve the efficiency of your boiler, take the time to bleed your radiators. This eliminates any air pockets in the system, and more than a third of homeowners plan to do this to save on bills this winter.
- Choose the right boiler– Having a boiler that is compatible with the type of property you live in will also improve the overall heating efficiency of your home. To choose the right boiler, consider the size of your property, the number of residents, available fuel, as well as your existing system."
