Knowing how much fuel your boiler uses is essential for homeowners, especially if they want to cut their energy expenses or switch from a gas boiler. One easy way to estimate a boiler's fuel consumption is to look at its Kwh and efficiency rating. We'll explain what Kwh is in this post, how much gas a boiler uses, and how to cut your energy costs.
What are Kw and KwH?
Kwh is a unit of measurement for energy consumption, whereas Kw is a unit of power representing the amount of power produced by a boiler. For instance, to heat your home for one hour, a 24 kW boiler will need 24 KwH of electricity. This data is used by energy suppliers to determine the overall energy cost, which is often shown on your energy bill. Checking your boiler's efficiency rating can help you determine more effective ways to operate it if you observe a larger energy cost than usual.
Factors Affecting Gas Usage
Boiler Size
The size of your boiler, measured in kilowatts (kW), significantly impacts its gas consumption. Larger boilers typically use more gas to heat water and provide central heating. Common boiler sizes include:
- 24 kW: Suitable for small to medium-sized homes with one bathroom
- 30 kW: Ideal for medium-sized homes with up to two bathrooms
- 35 kW: Appropriate for larger homes with multiple bathrooms
A 24 kW boiler will consume less gas than a 35 kW boiler when operating for the same duration. However, larger boilers may run for shorter periods to achieve the desired temperature, potentially balancing out overall consumption.
Efficiency Rating
Boiler efficiency ratings, such as ErP and SEDBUK, indicate how effectively a boiler converts gas into usable heat. Modern A-rated boilers can achieve efficiencies of up to 94%, meaning only 6% of the gas energy is wasted. Older, less efficient boilers may waste up to 30% of the gas they consume. Upgrading to a high-efficiency boiler can significantly reduce gas consumption and lower energy bills.
How much does it cost to run your gas boiler per hour?
While using a gas boiler, you'll typically pay 2.4p per kilowatt-hour. This indicates that it will cost about £0.84 to run a 35 kW boiler for an hour. The type of boiler you have, how old it is, and the energy tariff your provider has set all affect the price, among other variables.
If you've seen an increase in your energy costs, you should check with your energy supplier to see if petrol prices have gone up. The efficiency and safety of your boiler should be checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer, even if there hasn't been a price increase. Your heating costs may significantly increase as a result of a leaky boiler.
Understanding Your Gas Bills
Gas bills typically comprise three main components that affect your total costs:
Unit Price Rate
The cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of gas used. This is what you pay for your actual gas consumption. Rates can vary between suppliers and tariffs. This usually makes up the largest portion of your bill.
Standing Charge
A fixed daily fee for maintaining your gas supply. This covers the costs of keeping your property connected to the network. The charge applies even if you use no gas. It includes meter maintenance and reading services.
VAT
Currently 5% on domestic energy bills in the UK. This is applied to both the unit rate and standing charge. It's a reduced rate compared to the standard 20% VAT. This helps make energy more affordable for households.
Reasons Why You're Using More Gas
Faulty Thermostat or Programmer
A malfunctioning thermostat may cause your boiler to run unnecessarily or fail to reach the desired temperature efficiently. This can lead to increased gas consumption. Similarly, a faulty programmer might not adhere to set schedules, resulting in the boiler operating outside intended hours.
Pilot Light Usage
Older boilers with constantly burning pilot lights can consume significant amounts of gas. A pilot light typically uses about 0.2 kWh of gas per hour, equating to roughly 1,752 kWh annually. Modern boilers with electronic ignition systems eliminate this constant gas usage, potentially saving hundreds of pounds per year.
Ageing Boiler
As boilers age, their efficiency decreases due to wear and tear on components. A 10-year-old boiler may operate at 70-80% efficiency, while a new A-rated model can achieve over 90% efficiency. This difference can translate to substantial gas savings over time.
Speak to a heating engineer
We can assist if you need expert boiler repair services in Medway, Dartford and Gravesend. To help you reduce your energy costs, our qualified heating engineers can assess the effectiveness and security of your boiler. To make an appointment, call us at 07712 172171 right away.
