Boiler Plus Rules: The Heating Controls You Need With a New Boiler

If you are planning a new boiler this spring, your quote will probably mention heating controls as well as the boiler itself. That is not upselling for its own sake. In England, the Boiler Plus standard sets minimum requirements for what has to be fitted, and a combi has to meet more of them than other boilers.

What is Boiler Plus?

Boiler Plus is a set of minimum standards for new boiler installations in England, introduced in April 2018 through the Building Regulations. It sets a minimum efficiency for gas boilers, requires suitable heating controls on every installation, and asks for an extra energy-saving measure whenever a combi boiler is fitted. It does not apply to servicing an existing boiler.

The standard applies whether you are replacing an old boiler or fitting one in a new system. Scotland and Wales have their own building regulations, so the rules there differ. The installer's Gas Safe registration is also how the installation gets notified to building control, after which you should receive a Building Regulations compliance certificate. You can check this has been done through the Gas Safe Register.

What efficiency does a new boiler need to meet?

A new gas boiler installed in England must have an ErP seasonal space heating efficiency of at least 92 percent. In practice, every modern condensing gas boiler from a mainstream manufacturer meets this, so it rarely limits your choice. It does rule out fitting old stock or non-condensing models, even as a like-for-like swap.

What controls does every new boiler installation need?

Every new gas boiler installation needs time and temperature controls: a way of setting when the heating comes on, and a room thermostat so it switches off when the home is warm enough. If you already have suitable working controls, they do not always have to be replaced, but your installer must check they meet the standard.

A basic compliant set-up is a programmer or timer and a room thermostat, or a single programmable room thermostat that does both. Building Regulations updated in 2022 also expect individual room temperature control when a boiler is replaced, which usually means thermostatic radiator valves where reasonably practicable. If you want to go further than the minimum, our post on how smart thermostats can save you money covers the options.

What extra controls does a new combi boiler need?

A new combi boiler must be fitted with time and temperature controls plus at least one of four extra measures: weather compensation, load compensation, flue gas heat recovery, or a smart thermostat with automation and optimisation features. The installer chooses the most suitable one with you, based on the boiler, the property and how you use your heating.

Which Boiler Plus option is best?

There is no single best option; it depends on the boiler and on how you live. Weather and load compensation both work by letting the boiler run at lower flow temperatures for longer, which suits condensing boilers well. A smart thermostat suits people who want remote control. Flue gas heat recovery suits heavy hot water use.

A few practical points worth knowing:

• Compatibility matters. Load compensation needs a thermostat that can talk to your particular boiler, so the two should be chosen together.
• Some combis have it built in. Certain models include flue gas heat recovery or an optional outdoor sensor, which can simplify compliance.
• Set-up is as important as hardware. A compensation control left on factory settings may not deliver much. Ask the installer to set it up for your home.
• Hard water protection. In hard water areas like Stoke-on-Trent, installation guidance also calls for scale protection on a combi's hot water side.

Do Boiler Plus rules affect my existing boiler?

No. Boiler Plus applies when a new boiler is installed. An existing boiler does not need upgrading to meet it, and a service or repair does not trigger the requirements. That said, adding better controls to an older system can still be worthwhile. For a broader look at efficiency upgrades, see why upgrade to an energy-efficient boiler.

Getting a compliant new boiler in Stoke-on-Trent

Every boiler installation in Stoke-on-Trent we carry out is designed to meet Boiler Plus, and our Navien combi packages come with a magnetic filter and a wireless room thermostat. We will explain which control option suits your home before any work is agreed. You can start with a free boiler quote, including a remote video survey.

We also look after boilers across south Cheshire, including boiler service in Alsager. For advice on controls for your current boiler or a replacement, call 07896 677083.