Annual Energy Bill Savings
| AFUE of New System | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AFUE of existing System |
80% |
85% |
90% |
95% |
|
50% |
$37 |
$41 |
$44 |
$47 |
|
55% |
$31 |
$35 |
$38 |
$42 |
|
60% |
$25 |
$29 |
$33 |
$37 |
|
65% |
$19 |
$23 |
$27 |
$32 |
|
70% |
$12 |
$18 |
$22 |
$26 |
|
75% |
$6 |
$11 |
$17 |
$21 |
|
80% |
$6 |
$11 |
$16 |
||
85% |
$6 |
$11 |
|||
To calculate your energy savings, find the AFUE for your current boiler on the left-hand side of the chart. Then find the AFUE along the top row for the new system that you are considering. See where the numbers meet to find out what you would save PER HUNDRED DOLLARS on your existing gas or oil bills. Let’s say your existing boiler has an AFUE of 70 percent, and the new energy efficient boiler will be 96 percent efficient. According to this chart, you will save $26 per $100 of your existing fuel bills. If you now spend $2,000 a year on gas or oil, you can expect to save $26 x 20 (or $520 a year). Of course, if gas or oil prices go up, your savings will increase even more.
Return On Your Investment
In addition to your energy bill savings, you should also calculate the return on your investment. Let’s assume that you spend $5,000 for a new energy efficient boiler installed in your home. If your heating bills will decrease by about $500 in the course of one year, you can divide the $500 savings by the $5,000 cost to come up with a 10 percent annual return on your investment. This means it will take you 10 years to recoup your costs if fuel prices stay where they are.
Environmental Savings
Experts estimate that boilers generate approximately 60 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions that come from homes. So when you switch to a more energy efficient model, you aren’t just helping to reduce your monthly expenses but at the same time are making a positive impact on the environment. With growing concern over the greenhouse effect and an increasing awareness of the need to reduce our carbon footprints, this can be a way to make a significant impact.
Other Ways You Can Make A Difference
In addition to (or instead of) replacing your boiler with the most efficient alternative, there are some other, simple steps you can take that will have a positive effect on your heating costs and on the environment, too:
- If you’ll be gone during the day, turn your thermostat down a few degrees (or set a programmable thermostat to do this automatically). This is an easy way to reduce your fuel usage without much effort.
- Turn down the temperature on your hot water boiler in the summer. Ask your service technician to show you where it is located and to recommend the best temperature setting.
- Keep your radiators and baseboards clear from carpets, furniture and drapes to get the full effect of the heat they generate.
- Maintain your steam heat systems regularly by checking the water level and removing trapped air and sediment. (Always use caution, though, as the steam can be extremely hot.)
- Get a tune-up as needed. The pros recommend that gas boilers be cleaned and tuned up every two years. Oil boilers should be done annually. In addition to prolonging the life and efficiency of your system, you will also reduce the carbon monoxide, smoke and other pollutions that your boiler generates, which will be better for the planet overall.
