Could a new boiler help achieve 10:10?

Over the last year, Britons may have become increasingly concerned over reports about climate change and particularly how domestic carbon emissions for household appliances could have been playing a part in this.

And many people may have already begun to take steps to make sure their carbon emissions stay at a reduced level, such as by using low-energy lighting or investing in renewable energy technology.

However, there is another piece of action they could take - making a commitment to reduce their energy consumption.

The 10:10 campaign has been started by Franny Armstrong, director of The Age Of Stupid, and asks Britons to commit to reducing their energy consumption by ten per cent starting from New Year's Day 2010.

Supported by the Guardian, the scheme is also keen to target businesses, urging them that they can encourage their customers, partners, suppliers and staff to reduce their own energy use, in a combined national effort which could see the UK coming a step closer to its goal of reducing emissions.

This is to include reductions in the use of electricity, on-site fuel - and in particular gas - road transport and air travel, before businesses are asked to report on their success at the end of 2010.

While the UK has already pledged to cut carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 - and 34 per cent by 2020 - 10:10 alleges that scientists believe action needs to be taken immediately if these targets are to be successfully met.

"Using less energy will increase profits," the 10:10 website claims.

"You'll save money now as your bills shrink; you'll save money in the future when laws force everyone else to catch up with you; and you'll make money by keeping staff and winning customers from rivals who don't seem to be doing their bit."

And domestic households have also been urged to do their bit.

But how can this commitment be successfully achieved?

Purchasing a new boiler to upgrade a central heating system may be a good starting point.

There are currently many different makes and models of boiler for consumers to choose from.

But according to the Energy Saving Trust, the most energy efficient gas boiler currently on the market is the condensing boiler.

A condensing boiler is able to make use of a greater amount of its fuel than older types of gas boiler by converting energy that would otherwise be lost as a waste product into heat for a property.

In light of this, the group claims that homeowners should almost immediately see a change in their energy bills, which could include the annual charges shrinking by around £200.

In addition to this, a household's carbon footprint will also fall.

But there are other ways that Britons can upgrade their central heating to make it greener.

One way is by installing heating controls. Such controls allow households to ensure that once the winter arrives, only rooms that are occupied are heated, while rooms which are empty will not have heat unnecessarily produced in them.

And before households consider turning on their central heating in time for the colder weather, radiators can be made to work more efficiently by taking the time to bleed them.

This means going around every radiator in a property and carefully releasing any trapped air using the radiator key, allowing the hot water to circulate through the device freely.

With such simple central heating steps, Britons may find that they are well on the way to meeting their 10:10 commitment.