When is the perfect time to buy a boiler?

With the sun still making a regular appearance and the weather generally mild, the summer may be the last time that Britons believe they will find themselves considering buying a new boiler.

However, according to a number of advisory groups, the warmer months are the perfect time to get a boiler serviced and - of needed - buy a new one to add to a current central heating system.

The reason behind this recommendation is that having a boiler checked out during the summer means that should any problems be discovered, homeowners have plenty of time to save for a new one and arrange to have it installed by a Gas Safe registered professional before they will need to rely on it to heat their property.

Furthermore, should a problem be identified, consumers will be left with the peace of mind that their boiler will not break down during the winter, leaving them without heating or hot water at a time when they need it most.

Online resource Boilerguide explains that during the summer months, households are likely to use their central heating up to 80 per cent less than during the winter.

David Holmes, founder of the firm, said: "A boiler service is probably the last thing on a homeowner's mind when the weather is hot and central heating boilers are being used minimally but, should it breakdown during the winter when it is needed most, then the result is going to be a very uncomfortable day or two."

And there may soon be a further incentive to consider purchasing a new boiler.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is calling on the government to cut VAT on green appliances and introduce a white goods scrappage scheme.

And the group estimates that if introduced, by 2020 the schemes could save 1.3 million tonnes of C02 per year.

By dropping VAT from such goods, Britons may find that energy efficient household appliances - such as a condensing boiler or biomass boiler - become more affordable.

In addition, consumers could pocket further cash as the devices are able to bring down their annual energy bills by hundreds of pounds, as well as reducing their carbon footprints.

Commenting on the news, Krishan Rama, press officer at the BRC, said: "To get the A rating, manufacturers will further develop their technology and they'll try and compete for that energy-saving recommended performance, to take advantage of the zero-VAT."

He added that this would stimulate innovation among manufacturers - which may lead to a greater selection of energy efficient appliances and in turn choice for the consumer in the future.

So what type of boiler should Britons looking to make the most of these proposed changes opt for?

The Energy Saving Trust states that boilers are responsible for 60 per cent of the carbon emissions produced by a gas heated home, but that replacing a G rated boiler with a new high efficiency condensing boiler and heating controls, this carbon footprint could be cut.

Furthermore, around £235 could be knocked off energy bills.

The trust explains that a condensing boiler is able to recover as much waste heat as possible, converting 86 per cent of their fuel into heat, compared with G rated boilers which convert 65 per cent.

Armed with all of this information, the time could be right for homeowners to consider making just such a boiler purchase.