Condensing boilers overview
Condensing boilers overview
A condensing boiler is an efficient modern boiler that incorporates an extra heat exchanger in order that the red-hot flue gases transfer a large proportion of their heat to pre-heat the water in the boiler system.
Once running at high efficiency, the water steam created in the burning action turns back into a liquid relinquishing the latent heat of vaporisation.A side effect results in this water, called condensate, that is frequently acidic, required to be piped outside to a drain or soak away. The boiler is recommended to be fixed against a wall and the waste fumes will rise through the flue. Hot water is initially provided by a modest storage tank to facilitate convenient and rapid hot water availability.
Do the radiators need to be outsized with a condensing boiler?
The rudimentary reason for this improved efficiency from a condensing boiler comes from having a larger heat exchanger. More Prominent radiators would allow lower return temperatures, and so result in even better energy performance, but the additional benefit has not been viewed as cost effective, holding in mind that the system is working at very low capacity for the main heating months. That probably remains true, though the reduced heating demand for new build may easily mean that homeowners would now allow over-sized radiators more willingly.
These consequences were studied during the SEDBUK initiative, and evaluated whether there needed to be new considerations for condensing boilers. The outcome was that no new recommendations were needed, and the test results forall the boiler types share the same SEDBUK computation.
Can you advise on the right boiler size?
In earlier years boiler installers filled bigger boilers than were called for. Whilst this meant that there was never the chance of the boiler not meeting the heat demand, even in the coldest winters, it also meant that they were primarily working at a reduced capacity, and so functioning in an inefficient style. If you have insulated your property since the current boiler was fitted in your house, it could well be that you will be able to fit a lower capacity boiler than the current one.
We always recommend seeking professional advice from a CORGI recorded fitter before choosing an appropriate substitute boiler.