New boilers 'may help cut carbon emissions'

Households can cut their carbon dioxide emissions by up to 50 per cent if they install an energy-efficient fuel cell boiler, according to British Gas.

The firm - which fitted more than 100,000 energy-efficient boilers in the past year - has recently invested in new fuel cell technology boilers, which it claims are more energy efficient than condensing models.

According to Julian Mears, a British Gas spokesman, energy-efficient boilers are becoming increasingly more popular with consumers.

He explained that fuel cell technology is an "exciting development" in making boilers more carbon-friendly.

"These new fuel cell boilers will actually generate power for their house inside the house," Mr Mears claimed.

"We estimate they'll cut CO2 emissions by about 50 per cent, and will cut bills by about 25 per cent."

According to British Gas, fuel cell boilers can generate a household's heat and electricity through an electrochemical reaction, which the firm claimed can help avoid wasting electricity and gas.