Products

Standard Efficiency boilers fundamentally consist of a burner that burns natural gas and produces products of combustion which are at a high temperature.

These products of combustion (flue gases) are then passed through a heat exchanger, which extracts heat from the combustion products, and transfers it to the water passing through the heat exchanger.

Standard Efficiency boiler heat exchangers are traditionally made of cast iron and more recently some have been fabricated using copper.
Having passed through the heat exchanger, the flue gases then leave the appliance via the flue. Standard Efficiency flue gas temperatures are generally around 170-180°C so a considerable amount of heat is lost to the atmosphere.

Standard efficiency products are typically between 78% and 82% efficient (SEDBUK C & D), and are available in both 'Wall Hung' and 'Floor Standing' configurations. All Ideal's Standard Efficiency boilers are SEDBUK D rated and consists of the classic SE, mini C and mini S.

In the case of extremely difficult installations a Standard Efficiency may be installed following an assessment by the installer but this is regulated through a points system.

• The purpose of the assessment is to find the installation position for a condensing boiler at the lowest cost ignoring obstacles and customers preferred position.
• The assessment must consider all feasible condensing boiler installation options for the relevant fuel choice and the option with the lowest points score recorded.
• Evidence of exceptional circumstances is proven only when the lowest points score exceeds 1000, in which case it is permissible to install a Standard Efficiency product.
• < 1000 points, fit High efficiency (SEDBUK A/B) in position acceptable to the customer.
• > 1000 points, exceptions applies - Standard Efficiency (SEDBUK D) boiler can be fitted.
• In practice High Efficiency boilers can be fitted in most installations (circa 95%) and are preferable.
• High Efficiency Boilers offer benefits of lower running costs and emissions than Standard Efficiency boilers. Some SE boilers are capable of operating older, less efficient heating systems (e.g gravity fed hot water) but again Building Regulations require these to be updated when replacing a boiler.

From April 1^st 2005, it became mandatory in England and Wales through Building Regulations to only install High Efficiency boilers, whether in new houses or as replacements. Standard Efficiency boilers can only be fitted under exceptional circumstances after a rigorous site check process has been undertaken by the installer.