Choosing the Right Boiler

Choosing the right boiler for your home can seem a daunting task and so it useful to understand the main boiler types, and their differences, when considering a new boiler. Some boilers are more suited to certain property types and household compositions than others. Whatever type you’re thinking of purchasing, or if you just want to find out more about the one you have, our handy boiler guide will help.

Conventional Boiler:

Conventional boilers (sometimes called traditional, Heat Only or regular boilers) are linked to a separate hot water cylinder, usually in two storage tanks in the loft. One of the storage tanks is to feed the hot water system the other one for the central heating.

These types of boilers are ideal for homes with two or more bathrooms, where a lot of hot water will be used at the same time. They’re also particularly suited to older properties with more traditional radiator systems that might not cope well with high pressure. Once the heated water supply has run out though, it may take a while for the tank to refill and for hot water to come through again.

Pros

– You can get hot water from multiple taps simultaneously

Cons

– The hot water can run out and you’ll have to wait for it to reheat

– You need to find room for the cylinder and the tank in your home

Combination Boiler:

Combination boilers, commonly known as combi boilers, are the UK’s most popular type of boiler. This category of boiler directly heats water from the mains supply when you turn the tap on, so you won’t need a hot water cylinder or any storage tanks. Therefore, combi boilers are perfect for smaller houses and flats. They’re also extremely energy-efficient due to the water not being constantly heated and stored, but rather heated on demand. Combi boilers usually deliver hot water at mains pressure, so they’re great for those who love a powerful shower! However, this does mean pressure may be reduced when more than one tap is running at the same time in the home.

Pros

-They don’t take up much space

– Unlimited heat and hot water when you need it

– There’s no need for a tank in your loft

Cons

– The water pressure might be reduced if you need hot water from more than one tap at a time

System Boiler:

Similar to conventional boilers, system boilers also require a hot water storage cylinder, but the main heating components are built in to the boiler itself instead, therefore making it a relatively straightforward installation. System boilers still require a cylinder, which is unvented, but they don’t require storage or header tanks.

This variety of boiler is economical to run and can provide a constant hot water supply to all the taps in your home at the same time making it a good choice for larger, busy households! System boilers – also known as sealed system – come with a water cylinder which can sit in an airing cupboard, utility room or even the garage, but no water tank.

Pros

– There’s no need for a tank in your loft

– Economical to run

– You can get hot water from multiple taps at the same time

– Once heated the water stays hot for a long time

Cons

– You don’t get hot water instantly

– You need to find room for the cylinder somewhere in the home

– If the hot water runs out you’ll have to wait for it to reheat, although this doesn’t take too long

It’s also worth noting that all boilers are ‘condensing’. Condensing boilers aren’t strictly a boiler type – instead it’s an attribute your boiler can have. This means that the boiler is around 90% efficient through heat recovery from the flue gases. As the flue gas condenses it produces a small amount of acidic water which the drains via a plastic pipe to your waste. This means they get more heat from the same amount of fuel, which will save you money on your heating bills. All new gas boilers have had to be condensing since 2005, although in exceptional circumstances non-condensing boilers are allowed.

Choosing the right boiler can be stressful but a good gas engineer will talk through your options with you and help you to make the right choice for your home. Remember, always make sure that your installer is fully Gas Safe registered before allowing them to work in your home.

If your current boiler need repairing or replacing give us a call today to chat to our team about the best option for your home:  0151 559 0740