Boilers installed in Scotland are reported to be the most resilient to coldest temperatures in the UK, according Boiler Guide’s 2020 UK Boiler Breakdown Study.
The study examined the amount of properties across the UK mainland and boiler breakdowns to establish the worst locations for boiler reliability. It found that just 1.79% of properties in Scotland reported problems with their boiler in 2019 – the lowest across the UK.
This is revealed even though average temperatures across Scotland are markedly lower comparatively.
In 2019, the average Scottish temperature was 7.9°C, compared to England (10.4°C) and Wales (9.7°C), suggesting that Scottish boilers are more resilient to the colder conditions, or that residents are more reluctant to turn them on when it gets cold.
The figures found that properties in London experienced the largest amount of boiler-related problems over the course of last year, with almost 3 in 100 experiencing problems. The West Midlands (2.75%) and the North East (2.42%) followed closest behind.
Behind Scotland was the North West (1.92%) and Yorkshire and the Humber (1.97%).
Full results are as follows:
- London (2.91%)
- West Midlands (2.75%)
- North East (2.42%)
- East Midlands (2.21%)
- East (2.17%)
- South East (2.11%)
- Wales (2.05%)
- South West (1.97%)
- Yorkshire and the Humber (1.97%)
- North West (1.92%)
- Scotland (1.79%)
David Holmes, founder of Boiler Guide, said: “You would assume that due to its colder average temperatures that boilers would be in significant demand across homes in Scotland so it is a bit of a surprise to see them top the rankings when it comes to reliability.
“However, when looking at areas towards the other end of the scale, London is synonymous with having an abundance of ‘older’ residential and commercial properties, with many containing older heating systems that are in dire need of repair. Coupled with the higher occupancy rates and the dense population of the region, the strain put on boilers and other home heating systems is hard to ignore.”
The report also found a link between hard water areas and the frequency of boilers breaking down, as well as links to the percentage of home ownership with areas dominated by rental properties such as in London, the North East and the West Midlands.