Choosing the right boiler for your home

The boiler is one of the few appliances in your home you genuinely would struggle to live without. You might be able to heat one or two rooms with a fireplace or wood burner but if you are serious about keeping your family warm, you need a decent boiler and to replace your boiler at least every 10 years.

Of course, installing a new boiler is a major decision and with so many options available, how do you know which boiler is the best one for your home? Allow us to explain.

Boiler Types

There are three main types of boilers available in the UK: –

Combi Boilers – Also known as combination boilers, combi boilers are the most popular and common type of boiler in the UK. They are compact, efficient and provide both heating and hot water on demand, without requiring a separate water tank. They are best suited for smaller households or flats with just one or two bathrooms and up to three bedrooms.

Pros

– Space-saving and compact so easy to fit in smaller homes.

– Provides hot water on demand in seconds (when working properly).

– Energy efficient, as no heat is wasted on stored hot water

Cons

– May struggle to supply hot water to multiple taps simultaneously.

– Limited hot water output, which can be an issue in larger households.

Heat-Only Boilers – These ‘conventional’ boilers require a separate hot water cylinder and cold water storage tank. They’re best suited for larger households with a higher hot water demand, and where there is more than one bathroom. A four or five-bedroom detached home, for example.

Pros

– Can supply hot water to multiple taps simultaneously.

– Suitable for larger households with higher hot water demand.

Cons

– Requires a separate hot water cylinder and cold water storage tank, taking up more space.

– Heat loss from the stored hot water can be an issue, leading to energy inefficiency.

System Boilers – These are similar to heat-only boilers but have an integrated pump and expansion vessel, eliminating the need for a separate cold water storage tank.

Pros

– No need for a separate cold water storage tank.

– Suitable for larger households with higher hot water demand.

Cons

– Limited hot water output, which can be an issue in larger households.

– May struggle to supply hot water to multiple taps simultaneously.

Choosing the right size of boiler

Choosing the right size boiler is essential to ensure efficient heating and hot water supply. The size of the boiler needed depends on factors such as the size of your home, the number of radiators, and the hot water demands of your home. A qualified heating engineer can perform a heat loss calculation to determine the correct size boiler needed for your home.

Which is the best for the house

Choosing the best boiler for your home depends on several factors, including your household size, hot water demand, and available space. Combi boilers are ideal for smaller households with one or two bathrooms, while heat-only and system boilers are better suited for larger households such as detached homes with more than four bedrooms.

Thanks for reading xxx