A good boiler should last from 10 to 15 years. Some may last much longer with this if they are well maintained and used efficiently. With this in mind, a boiler is a significant investment for your home. Choosing the right boiler for your needs will not only have an impact on your finances but it could also have an impact on the environment.
The first thing you will need to think about when choosing your boiler is the type of fuel your property has access to. Although most boilers run on gas, there are around 4.2 million homes in the UK which do not have a mains gas supply. In this case, electric radiators and a water heater might be more appropriate. In this article, we are going to look at some of the most popular types of gas boilers and how to choose the right one for your home.
What are the different types of boilers?
There are three main types of gas boilers. These are combi boilers, system boilers and conventional boilers. These work in very different ways, outlined below:
- A combi boiler provides heat for your hot water and your central heating system. Coldwater from your mains supply passes through a heat exchanger inside the boiler and hot water is provided on demand. It also heats water to pass through your central heating system and heats your home.
- A system boiler has a separate hot water tank where your hot water is stored. This type of boiler takes cold water from your mains supply and heats it before storing it in your storage tank. It also heats the water that passes through your radiator.
- A conventional boiler has a hot water cylinder and a feed tank in the attic. The location of the feed tank can help in areas with low water pressure. This water is heated by the boiler and then either stored in the hot water tank or pumped through the home to supply your central heating system.
What Types of Boilers are Best for Your Home?
Choosing the right boiler for your home will depend on several factors. If you choose a boiler that isn’t powerful enough for your home, you may be unable to use multiple outlets at one time. If you live in an older home with an aging central heating system, you may find that a high pressured and high powered boiler leads to problems. These are the main factors you need to consider when choosing the right boiler for your home:
How many people live in your home?
A busy household will do best with either a system boiler or a conventional boiler. This is because the hot water tanks will ensure a steady and reliable supply of hot water, even if you are using multiple outlets at once. This type of boiler system will ensure that turning on the kitchen tap in which someone is taking a shower won’t result in a cold shock.
How many bathrooms do you have?
If you have just one bathroom in your home and you are unlikely to need to use more than one hot water outlet at once, then a combi boiler can be a highly efficient and economical way to heat your hot water and your home. You only heat the water you use, so it can be a great choice for small households or households with unusual working patterns.
How much space do you have for your boiler?
Space is often one of the biggest factors when deciding which type of boiler you can install. The combi boiler is the most compact of the three options. The size of the boiler will depend on the model you choose.
If you have space in your home for a hot water cylinder then a system boiler or a conventional boiler can be an excellent choice. In areas of low water pressure, a conventional boiler will ensure a steady supply of hot water with sufficient pressure.
If you do not have access to the attic in your property or if you don’t have an attic, then a system boiler will be the next best choice. Most system boilers have a hot water cylinder in an upstairs airing cupboard.
What type of boiler are you replacing?
Another factor to consider when replacing your boiler is the existing type of boiler already installed. Replacing like for like will always be an easier job. In general, installing a combi boiler will be the simplest option as it is a small and compact unit.
However, if you are planning to replace a system or conventional boiler with a combi boiler, you will still need to remove the old water cylinder and feed tank. Before choosing a new boiler system, get quotes from a few different installation companies to make sure the cost of installing the new boiler doesn’t outweigh any of the benefits.
How to keep your boiler running for longer
Some boiler manufacturers will allow you to keep your warranty intact for longer if you commit to regular boiler services. Many boiler care plans allow you to manage the cost of your annual service and unexpected repairs.