About Boiler Plus: Boost Your Home’s Energy Efficiency

Since 2018, people across England have been required to follow specific rules regarding the installation or replacement of a boiler. These requirements are also known as Boiler Plus regulations.

These will boost the overall energy performance of residential heating systems. It is essential to understand what a boiler is. And also how to meet its requirements. Whether you are replacing your boiler or installing a new combi boiler. Or simply checking the compatibility of your current system.

Here we will discuss the details of such a Boiler, whether you are an installer or a homeowner. This will assist you in making your heating system more effective.

What Is Boiler Plus?

On April 6, 2018, the BEIS implemented the Boiler Plus regulation. Reducing energy bills and making households more energy efficient are all part of the Industrial Strategy in the UK. Its aim is to improve the efficiency of heating systems by achieving two things. The first thing is ensuring that all new gas boilers must meet minimum efficiency standards.

The second is ensuring that new gas boilers are supplied with modern temperature control features. Specifically, its regulations apply to all gas and oil boiler installations. And particularly, when a combi boiler is installed or replaced. It also assists households in conserving energy and reducing carbon emissions.

Other energy-saving requirements of a combi boiler installation are also within the regulations. These include smart controls, weather compensation, etc. Simply, it represents a set of recommendations that ensure healthier and more efficient boiler installations. The specifications improve house heating and reduce energy waste.

Why Is Boiler Plus Important?

There are many reasons why its matters:

• It saves money on energy bills.
• It increases the efficiency of ErP.
• It also helps to reduce emissions.
• It makes households more eco-friendly.
• Also, fulfill the goals of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

These are some of the most important things for which the Boiler Plus is needed.

Boiler Plus and its requirements

Requirements to Comply with Boiler Plus

Any boiler installed in England after April 2018 will need to comply with a particular set of guidelines. The regulations are aimed at achieving better heating system performance. So these requirements are:

ERP Efficiency of 92%

In England, any new oil or gas boilers installed must be at least 92% ErP efficient. This rule reduces wastage and fuel expenses. It makes sure that the boiler burns fuel more completely. So, according to this, the boilers that are older and do not meet this efficiency level are not acceptable.

An efficiency of 92 or higher is important whether you are replacing a boiler or having a new one. It supports the UK’s aims of cutting emissions and using more energy at home.

Time and Temperature

Temperature and operating time controls should be placed on all boiler systems. These thermostats assist in controlling the house temperature. And also manage when to switch on or off the heating.

All heating systems now come with a thermostat and a timer. Whether it’s a combi or gas boiler, or any other type. There is no need to replace such measures in case they already exist and are functional. To optimise the overall system and save energy, temperature control is very important.

Combi Boiler Installations

Anyone installing a combi boiler faces stricter rules. There should be an additional energy efficiency feature, then and time and temperature controls. This is a requirement specific to combi boiler systems. They should improve energy efficiency, reduce wastage, and improve performance. Installers and homeowners have been permitted to choose some further measures. These further measures in the combi boiler case are:

• Flue gas heat recovery systems conserve fuel by utilising the waste gas heat to heat water.
• Weather compensation controls adjust the behavior of the boiler. Depending on the outside temperature.
• The compensation methods used change the boiler output. Depending on the variance between the set point and the current room temperature.
• Smart controls allow users to operate their heating system. It allows control intelligently and remotely.

Who Needs to Comply With Boiler Plus

A wide range of people carrying out boiler installations need to meet the Boiler Plus requirements. Any person installing a boiler in an existing system should ensure that the installation meets the requirements of the Boiler. Both oil and gas boilers are in this category. Homeowners wanting to replace their combi boiler have to meet Boiler Plus requirements.

A replacement combi boiler needs to be a minimum of 92% efficient. And they also had at least one additional energy-saving feature, which includes load compensation, weather compensation, smart controls, etc. Installers and heating engineers should also follow the Boiler+ standards.

They are responsible for making sure that all installations have been done according to the regulations. Also, landlords should adhere to the following guidelines when planning to replace boilers. These regulations also apply to certain new builds.

Like partially complete homes or where boilers are retrofitted to an already established system, they should comply with the Boiler+ requirements. To guarantee greater energy efficiency and temperature control.

Read More: Why is my radiator cold?

Final words

Learning and complying with Boiler Plus will ensure your heating system is efficient, whether you are a homeowner looking to replace your boiler.

Or an installer planning your next job. Ensure the combi boiler you are replacing is Boiler+ compliant next time. Select a system that has an efficiency rating of 92 percent or higher. Seek energy efficiency, and consider smart controls.

FAQs

How do I know if my boiler is compliant with Boiler+?

By checking the ErP label, you must know about the compliance of your boiler.

What does 92% efficiency mean?

It means that 92% of the fuel is converted to heat. In this way, it reduces energy waste.

What is flue gas heat recovery?

It reuses heat from the flue gases for heating water and also reduces the use of energy.

Do boiler controls make a difference?

Yes, they help to reduce waste and also increase comfort.

Is Boiler+ still relevant in 2025 and beyond?

Yes, it’s an important part of energy efficiency efforts in the UK.