How can you tell if your boiler is a condensing model? Here we explain exactly how to identify a non-condensing and condensing boiler.
There are many ways of categorising boilers and one such way is to distinguish condensing from non-condensing boilers.
But what is a condensing boiler and how can you tell if you have one?
In this guide, we’ll answer these questions and more.
Let’s dive in!
PS - we fit new combi boilers with gas safe installation nationwide. Simply answer these questions, get your fixed price and you could get it installed as quick as tomorrow.
What is a Condensing Boiler?
A condensing boiler is able to gather the gas generated by burning fuels and use it to heat any cold water entering the system.
This means that your heating system will come with lower carbon emissions and improved efficiency.
Ultimately, the higher efficiency offered by a condensing boiler means lower heating bills that an older boiler world offers.
Condensing boilers can run on either gas or oil and are by far the most common type of boiler (when contrasted to non-condensing boilers) found in homes across the UK.
One of the main reasons why condensing boilers are so common is that there has been a legal requirement (since April 2005) that all newly fitted gas-fired boilers must be condensed.
Since very few boilers last 17+ years, you can see why condensing boilers largely rule the roost when it comes to household boilers nationwide.
It’s also worth noting that if you have an oil boiler, the same legal requirement has applied to these boilers since 2007.
How Can I Tell If I Have a Condensing Boiler?
So, getting to the main purpose of this guide, how can you actually tell whether you have a condensing or non-condensing boiler?
Ultimately, finding out the answer to this question would depend on if you know when the boiler was installed.
If you do, finding out the answer will be straightforward. If not, there are several steps you can take to figure it out.
If You Know When the Boiler Was Installed
First and foremost, since new gas boilers installed from April 2005 must legally be condensing boilers, then if you’ve had your boiler fitted since that time, it’s very likely a condensing boiler.
The only exception would be if there was an extraordinary mistake made on behalf of your heating engineer or if you hired a dodgy contractor.
Otherwise, there’s no reason why your boiler (once fitted from April 2005 onwards) would not be condensing.
If You Don’t Know When Your Boiler Was Fitted
Of course, you may be unsure when your boiler was installed, especially if the boiler was already there when you moved in.
In this case, the simplest way to determine if your boiler is condensing would be to look at the boiler manual.
With that said, if you can’t find the boiler manual, there are several ways of working out whether your boiler is condensing or non-condensing.
Firstly, try and determine when your boiler was installed. You might want to contact the manufacturer for advice.
For instance, by providing information about your boiler such as the specific model, they may be able to tell, for example, whether it is a new model that could have only been installed after the regulations were introduced in 2005.
Another way of potentially answering your question is by inspecting your boiler flue. The flue will be situated outside your household.
You’ll find it coming out of the roof or an exterior wall. Should the flue be made of metal then you probably have a non-condensing boiler.
Again, the word probably is key here as it would only point you in the right direction but not provide a definitive answer.
It would also be worth checking your drainpipe. If you notice steam exiting the boiler flue and you can also find a white plastic pipe that leads to the drain, then you can know with certainty that your boiler is condensing.
If you haven’t come to a definitive conclusion after undertaking any of the checks described above, your last port of call should be to contact a qualified heating engineer.
By having a heating engineer visit your property, they’ll be able to make a more detailed evaluation and figure out whether or not you have a condensing boiler beyond any doubt.
Upgrading to a Condensing Boiler
If you do not currently have a condensing boiler, we strongly recommend upgrading to one.
After all, if your home features a non-condensing boiler (so long as it was installed legally), it could be close to two decades old!
Not only are non-condensing boilers less efficient but boilers that are around 15-20 years old (while admittedly being recognisably sturdy to last that long) would not be as safe as a modern replacement.
Moreover, there would be a high risk at that stage in a boiler’s lifespan of simply breaking down completely and perhaps totally out of the blue.
For the above reasons and more, upgrading to a condensing boiler would be a smart move.
Today, the average condensing boiler is likely to cost somewhere in the region of £800 to £2,800.
If you’d like to learn about our favourite manufacturers, check our guide to the 10 best boiler brands on the UK market.
One major concern, however, that you may have with the idea of installing a new boiler is the cost.
Given the ongoing cost of living crisis, many households may find such a replacement virtually impossible at first glance.
Thankfully though, there are alternatives to simply paying for a new condensing boiler upfront.
For one, you might want to consider purchasing a boiler on finance. This involves buying a boiler now and paying later.
In other words, you would have the boiler installed (paying a small deposit or no amount at all) before paying off the cost of labour + the price of the boiler itself over an extended timeframe.
In some cases, interest will apply but zero-interest options also exist.
Looking for the best deal on a new boiler?
If you’re aiming to get the best deal on a new boiler, consider getting a quote from us, here’s why:
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Price match guarantee: We will match any like-for-like cheaper quote.
Flexible payment options, including interest-free finance.
Up to 12-year guarantee on selected boilers.
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