New Boiler Using More Gas

[goodgoalie]

I had an 'A' rated Worcester Greenstar condensing boiler fitted two weeks ago, which works well and I'm very happy with it; also had an extra radiator fitted in the main downstairs room.

I'd taken a reading before the fitting and took one today and was alarmed to see that I've used nearly double what I was using in the previous few weeks. I have not increased how often I have the heating/hot water on, so can the increase be due to the extra radiator? I only took a reading today to cheer myself up by seeing how little gas the new super-efficient boiler was using. Really hacked off.

[Bazile]

Is the boiler temperature set high ,perhaps ?

[goodgoalie]

One of the things I'm not keen on about the new boiler is that it only has a touchscreen on the front - there are no dials with which you can easily adjust the temperature of the hot water or water in the radiators. I suppose it's the way of everything now, cars included.

[Hopkirk]

It's been cold recently. Hadn't you noticed?

[Canary42]

I think Hopkirk has a very valid point - my energy consumption has soared recently.

[goodgoalie]

Of course I've noticed. But I only ever turn the boiler on manually, not by setting the thermostat - that's how I know exactly how long the boiler has been on for.

[Hopkirk]

It would still use more gas in cold weather.

[douglas9401]

I don't have an answer but understand your disappointment.

We had a new boiler fitted in December 2020 and noticed a dramatic difference in performance for smaller bills.

Maybe an idea to have the installer back for a check of everything to reassure you?

[goodgoalie]

Hi Douglas. The two installers were really good, and I'm sure it was all done properly, it's just that I was expecting it to use less gas, as condensing boilers are meant to be about 25/30 % more efficient. Sure didn't expect it to use twice that of the 19-year-old one it replaced. Even the extra radiator shouldn't make that much difference, I'd have thought. Going to contact Worcester tomorrow.

[Fitzer]

Are you working on how much gas actually used or cost? Unit prices have soared so you might appear to be using more.

[ladybirder]

The cold weather will surely have made your rooms temperature lower as the weather has got colder so the boiler has to start heating from a lower temperature point. No? Yes?

[davebro]

Must be disappointing having laid out a bundle for a new "better" boiler.
Bit techy but this might explain/suggest solutions -

https://theintergasshop.co.uk/content/187-why-your-new-gas-boiler-isnt-efficient

[goodgoalie]

Thanks for the replies, interesting article, dave.

This has nothing to do with cost, just the amount of gas I'm using. I can make an accurate comparison of before/after as I turn the heating on for a set length of time each day and have continued to do this even with the new boiler. My hot water use is the same. I have just sent a 'live chat' message to Worcester, so I'll see what they say, particularly about the extra radiator.

I've devastated my savings to do this, and the thought that now I'll be paying more, not less, is really depressing.

[barry1010]

goodgoalie, I'm very interested in your experience as I have been thinking that I ought to replace my very reliable 35 year old boiler for something more efficient for a while.
I can't face the upheaval, to be honest. Perhaps you could tell me what was involved in changing your boiler - change to pipes, layout, any mess / damage to decor?

Now I hear that it is costing you more, I'm more confused as to what I should do.
I also see lots of adverts telling me I can get a 'free boiler' with a government grant but assume that is false.

[goodgoalie]

Hi barry. No, no upheaval or damage to decor as the boiler is in a cupboard upstairs. They had to cut a section of the sloping plasterboard in the bathroom, as the condensate pipe had a pump fitted to take it up into the attic and into the soil pipe - no other way to get it out the property. Was all done in a day by local Gas Safe engineers, and one of them came back a few days later to connect the extra radiator - worked really hard as I wanted the pipes hidden, which he managed to do. All working well.

Worcester have just replied that they won't do a live chat, want me to ring them - but I'm not spending more money!

[Teapots1]

A good link dave, but reading some of it, it appears to be confusing to even the best installers. So joe public got little chance of getting their head round it. In my experience however most installers will fit the smallest boiler in a property they can get away for the most money they can earn. Lets say a 24kw will struggle in a 3 bedroom property, more struggle the more gas it will use. Don't know what KW goodgoalie's is and how big his /her house is?

[Atheist]

Teapots:
"Lets say a 24kw will struggle in a 3 bedroom property, more struggle the more gas it will use."

I don't really agree with that. A boiler will need to provide heat by burning gas at a sufficient rate to satisfy the demand made by the house (which varies with size, air-change, insulation, temperature required by the user etc). If 24kw is insufficient, then it won't heat the house properly, but it won't use more energy than a, say, 30kw boiler which isn't struggling.

The new boiler should have been checked for efficient setup, and should be more efficient than the old one. The problem with the OP is possibly due to colder weather, or the extra radiator. It would be interesting to know what meter readings were used to assess the before and after situations.

[Teapots1]

Atheist, you are forgetting one thing, if the boiler is undersized for the property, then the thermostat will keep calling for heat more often ,hence more gas used.

[goodgoalie]

It's a 24Kw boiler, and a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom property

[bhg481]

It might ask for gas more often but it is only supplied with smaller amounts of gas as it has a lower power output.

[goodgoalie]

Can I just reiterate: I'm not using the thermostat, just turning it on for a set length of time, hence the accurate before/after comparison.