fbpx
  • home
  • Blog
  • Choosing the Right Type of Boiler for Your Home

Updated: May 21, 2024

Understanding the importance of choosing the right type of boiler for your home

Choosing the right boiler for your home is quite important. A boiler is an important part of your home. It can make your home warm and comfortable. It provides hot water for your taps, showers and heating system. 

Not choosing the right boiler can cost you money on energy bills, especially if you buy a boiler that is too big for your home size. That is why choosing the right boiler is an important step when getting a new boiler.

Factors to consider when selecting a boiler for your home

There are several factors to consider when choosing the right boiler for your home. These include:

  • Boiler size
  • Boiler type

When getting a new boiler, you should consider the output and the capacity of your new boiler. Getting a boiler that is too small in size and capacity might not meet your demand for hot water. At the same time, getting a boiler that is too powerful and big might exceed your hot water demand and as a result will cost you more on energy bills. 

There are 3 main boiler types that exist in the UK market. These are:

  • Combi boilers
  • System boilers
  • Regular boilers 

Now each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Each type is suitable for certain types of homes. In order to pick the right boiler we have to understand how they work and what is the difference between the three. 

Read about: A Step-by-Step Guide to Installing a Boiler

Professional & Reliable Boiler Repair

Explanation of how combi boilers work

A combi or a combination boiler is compact in size. It can provide both hot water and heating.  Combi boilers take water directly from the water mains and can provide hot water on demand without delay. They don’t need a hot water cylinder to store water or a cold water tank. 

What are the advantages of combi boilers?

A combi boiler is very efficient  

A combi boiler is very efficient when it comes to energy consumption. It would save you a lot of money since it can be used for both providing hot water and heating your home.  

They are small in size  

A combi boiler is perfect for a house that is small in size. You will not need to make space for a water tank or cylinder due to the fact that a combi boiler takes water from the mains directly.  

On-demand hot water  

With a combi boiler you don’t need to worry about having enough water in the hot water storage. It will provide hot water instantly.  

Installation Flexibility  

Combi boilers are relatively small and consist of a single unit. As a result, they can offer more flexibility when it comes to their Installation place.  

Read about: How a Professionally Installed Boiler Can Save You Money

What are the disadvantages of combi boilers?

  • Combi boilers can struggle with high water demand. Having multiple taps or showers on at the same time may lead to one of them to go cold. A combi boiler is not recommended when you have more than one bathroom. 
  • Combi boilers require high pressure water from the mains. If you live in an area with low water pressure, then the water coming from your taps will also be at low pressure. 
  • An old plumping network might not be able to cope with high pressure water flow from your combi boiler. So your home might require new pipes before getting a combi boiler. 

System Boilers

Explanation of how system boilers work

System boilers

System boilers work together with a hot water cylinder in order to provide hot water and heating for your home. System boilers take water directly from the mains. They do not need a hot water cylinder. 

What are the advantages of system boilers?

Can save up space

A system boiler does not need a cold water tank and as a result can save you some space. 

Good for large homes

A system boiler can provide water to several taps and showers at the same time. In short, it can meet a high level of demand for hot water. 

Compatible with solar panels 

System boilers can be paired with solar panels if you are looking for a green way to generate power. 

Hot water on demand 

System boilers have a built-in pump that can deliver hot water on demand once you turn on a tap or a shower.

Can be more efficient 

By using an electric immersion heater, your system boiler can be made more efficient and less reliant on gas.

Read more about:

the Right Type of Boiler for Your Home

Condensing VS Non-Condensing Boilers

What are the disadvantages of system boilers?

  • When you use all the hot water stored in the cylinder, you’ll need to wait for the boiler to heat some more.
  • System boilers need a hot water cylinder so if you don’t have enough space at your home they might be inconvenient for you. 
  • If you live in an area with low water pressure, a system boiler might not be the best choice. What is more, if you have old radiators, they might not be able to cope with the high water pressure of a system boiler. 
  • Due to having more parts than a combi boiler, a system boiler might require more maintenance. 

Regular Boilers

Explanation of how regular boilers work

Regular boilers

Regular boilers or heat-only boilers can provide both hot water and heating to your home. They are designed to draw water from a cold water tank and to store hot water in a hot water cylinder.

Read about: Do Electric Boilers Need Servicing?

New Boiler prices

What are the advantages of regular boilers?

  • Replacement is simple and easy 

Replacing your old regular boiler with a newer version is less costly and damaging to your home. So it’s always the safer option to go with if you don’t want to spend a lot or worry about damages. 

  • Meets your high demand of heating and hot water 

If you have a home with multiple bathrooms, then a regular boiler is a great choice. It can meet your demand for hot water and heating. With a large capacity to store hot water, it means that you can use several taps and outlets at the same time. 

  • More efficiency 

Older boilers with no condensing technology should be replaced with a condensing boiler. Condensing boilers are more efficient and consume less energy. As a result, they will reduce the cost of your heating bills. Nowadays, some regular boilers are 97% efficient. 

  • Able to have an immersion heater as a backup 

A backup immersion heater would make sure that you don’t go out without hot water in case your boiler breaks down. The immersion heater would be fitted in the hot water cylinder. 

  • Solar compatibility 

Presently, you can use solar thermal panels to produce hot water using solar power. Just make sure that your cylinder and the model you buy are compatible with solar thermal. 

What are the disadvantages of regular boilers?

  • Hot water isn’t always instant in busier times 

Once you use all the stored hot water in your cylinder, you have to wait for some time to be able to use hot water again. Always buy a cylinder with the capacity to meet your hot water demands and needs. 

  • Needs lots of space 

Regular boilers need space for the water tank and the hot water cylinder. That’s why it’s not a good choice for smaller homes that don’t have much space. For smaller homes, a combi boiler is more suitable. 

  • Installation can be costly 

Because there are many parts to be installed around the house, a new boiler installation can be pricey. Aside from being expensive it can also take a lot of time. 

Read about: best boilers in uk

Understanding energy efficiency ratings for boilers

New and modern boilers have, without a doubt, higher efficiency ratings than older boilers. This is due to the fact that new boilers use condensing technology. 

Condensing technology makes your boiler more efficient. You will be using less energy and saving on energy bills. In short, when buying a boiler, it is better to get one that has high energy efficiency ratings. There are different brands of boilers available in the UK which have high efficiency ratings. Contact us for more help on the subject. 

Comparing the costs of different types of boilers

As we have mentioned before, boilers have different types so it only makes sense that they have different price tags. 

Boiler type Average price
Combi boilers£500 to £3000
System boilers£580 to £2,500
Regular boiler£1,500 to £3,000

Conclusion

Summary of key points discussed

Choosing the right type of boiler for your home: final thoughts and recommendations

In conclusion, choosing the right type of boiler for your home is a task that needs some consideration and research. Things such as boiler size, output and capacity should be taken into account. 

Boiler type is another important factor when choosing a boiler. 3 main types are available. Those are: combi, system and regular boilers. Each type has its own pros and cons. Understanding what type of boiler your home requires will make it easier for you to make the right choice. 

Read more about:

Step by step guide to boiler installation

Ideal Boilers in Cardiff

All You Need to know About Electric Boilers

FAQ

What type of boiler should I get UK?

You should get the type that fits your home best. There are three main types: combi, system and regular boilers. 

What is the most common boiler in the UK?

Different types of boilers are used in the UK. 3 boiler types can be considered as the most common. These are combi, system and regular boilers.

What are the 3 types of boilers?

The three different types of boiler are combi, system and regular boilers.

How do I choose a good boiler?

It is recommended that you choose a boiler from a well-known brand to begin with. And you should choose a condensing boiler to have better efficiency.

What is the most energy efficient boiler UK?

There are different brands of boilers in the UK. Some of the most efficient are: Worcester Bosch, Viessmann, Vaillant, Baxi, Ideal and so on.

What is the cheapest boiler to run UK?

The cheapest boiler to run would be a condensing boiler that can save you money on energy bills. Using a smart thermostat can also help you save money.