ECO scheme and other schemes for boilers, tenants, not owner occupiers

FreeBear

Chrysalis said:

So a little update on this, looking at smart meter data, to get enough hot water for a hot bath, the immersion used about 6 kWh of electric, historically my gas boiler has required closer to 20 kWh

A handy little calculator to work out how much energy is needed to heat your hot water -> https://www.omnicalculator.com/physics/water-heating

Bath used ~90l of hot water heated from ~20°C to 44°C. Used just under 3kWh of gas in the process with my combi. 6kWh sounds about right if you were to heat a 180l tank. But if you are using 20kWh of gas, a lot of heat is being wasted somewhere - My guess would be no zone valves or TRVs on the radiators - My old heating system was like that, and radiators would get hot when heating the tank (1980s BG installation).

If your LL is still hell bent on installing an electric wet boiler, he really needs to look at the impact it will have on the EPC. Electric only heating could push the score down to the next band. With a current band of F, the LL is already breaking the law*, so going to a G isn't going to affect the fines he could collect too much.. Fitting a new combi boiler along with modern controls might be enough to lift the EPC score up to an E, and I can't see a budget gas boiler costing much more than an electric one. It does mean he will have to pay for an annual Gas Safety certificate, but he'd need to do that anyway if the gas meter is left in place.

*) There are a couple of loopholes that allow for properties to be rented with a lower EPC score, for example, listed buildings.

Chrysalis

There is no cylinder or room thermostats, this gas boiler is really inefficient.

I have finally spoken to the electrician, so he is saying boiler and panel heaters are similar cost

Building isnt listed and he hasnt spent anywhere near the spending caps either.

Chrysalis

Have come to an agreement with my LL, getting a replacement gas boiler, I dont mind reporting if I notice any improvement in efficiency after its installed.

FreeBear

Chrysalis said:

Have come to an agreement with my LL, getting a replacement gas boiler, I dont mind reporting if I notice any improvement in efficiency after its installed.

If TRVs and a programmable thermostat are fitted, you should see a reduction in gas consumption.

Any idea how old the existing boiler is ?

Chrysalis

At least 18 years as it was here when I moved in.

It is a Baxi Solo2 RS.

FreeBear

Chrysalis said:

At least 18 years as it was here when I moved in.

It is a Baxi Solo2 RS.

Baxi Solo 2 RS (in 30kW, 40kW, 50kW and 60kW versions) - Produced between 1994 and 2001. Has a winter efficiency rating of 66% (40.8% for hot water). Also appears to have a permanently on pilot light. You will see a big drop in gas consumption, possibly as much as 40%.

Are you getting new, larger radiators along with TRVs all round ?

If you do, you can turn the flow temperature down and get even higher efficiency from the boiler and still heat the place to a comfortable temperature.

Chrysalis

Same radiators which is my preference.  I have no idea what the new model is but I have already been told its a boiler swap kitchen work only job, no other rooms.  I know the gas engineer wants to move it to a more accessible spot in the kitchen although the LL didnt confirm if that bit was being done.

Reed_Richards

Chrysalis said:

I have finally spoken to the electrician, so he is saying boiler and panel heaters are similar cost

They may be a similar cost to install but panel heaters would be vastly more expensive to run than a gas boiler, roughly three times as expensive.  Thank goodness you did not go down that road.

Chrysalis

Reed_Richards said:

Chrysalis said:

I have finally spoken to the electrician, so he is saying boiler and panel heaters are similar cost

They may be a similar cost to install but panel heaters would be vastly more expensive to run than a gas boiler, roughly three times as expensive.  Thank goodness you did not go down that road.

Ultimately it wasnt for me to decide, luckily I came to an agreement.  Also the cost the electrician told me was before it got inflated.

FreeBear

Chrysalis said:

Reed_Richards said:

Chrysalis said:

I have finally spoken to the electrician, so he is saying boiler and panel heaters are similar cost

They may be a similar cost to install but panel heaters would be vastly more expensive to run than a gas boiler, roughly three times as expensive.  Thank goodness you did not go down that road.

Ultimately it wasnt for me to decide, luckily I came to an agreement.  Also the cost the electrician told me was before it got inflated.

Panel heaters at £100-200 each (say 7 required). A days labour to hang them on the walls, plus another day to fit fused switches where needed. A plasterer to make good the damage, followed by a decorator to touch up the paint. Can see this going north of £3K very quickly.

A budget gas boiler can be had for £600 to £800. £600 would cover a basic swap. Although, if the LL has got any sense, he'll go for a decent make/model (say WB at £1200). No plastering or redecoration required.