What Boiler Is Best?
Added On: 08/06/2008
1 RatingsWhat sort of new boiler should you install?
With so many different types of boiler available, choosing a new boiler can be a struggle. But it needn't be! You should look at the following things and all will become clear...
- The cost of the boiler, boiler installation and your energy bills
- The amount of space you have
- The size of your home
- The number of sources that will use your new boiler for hot water
- The efficiency of the new boiler
- The law relating to new boiler installation
Conventional heat-only boilers
Whilst a conventional heat-only boiler unit can be bought for reasonable prices, you have to take into account the cost of water storage tanks (if you don't have them already installed).
Installation and maintenance costs can be higher due to the additional water storage tanks and your hot water tank needs to be well insulated to prevent heat loss, which increases your energy bills.
However, if you already have water tanks installed then this is the cheapest option.
Conventional heat-only boiler units can be quite compact, so the unit can be fitted in a kitchen unit, but the additional water storage tanks take up loads of room in your loft so they're not ideal.
A conventional heat-only boiler will be able to cater for larger homes, unlike a combi boiler.
Combi condensing boiler
High efficiency combi (combination, instantaneous) boilers have also dropped in price recently, and whilst they may still be a little more expensive that a conventional heat-only boiler, a bargain can still be had.
Installation costs are kept to a minimum because they don't need any water storage tanks, and maintenance and servicing costs are kept low because all the parts are in the one place, allowing for easy access by a gas boiler engineer.
Because the boiler only heats what water is required, your energy bills will be kept to a minimum, and combi boilers are also very energy efficient which helps more with those bills.
Combi boilers are best suited to smaller homes or flats, as they can usually only cater for 1 water source (like a tap or shower) being run at once.
This means if you're showering and someone runs the hot tap, you could get a bit of a shock...
The law recommends condensing boilers due to their excellent energy efficiency, and a combi condensing boiler is an excellent choice for a smaller home.
Combi Storage (system) condensing boiler
A combi storage (system) condensing boiler is the same as a combi boiler, but with a hot water storage cylinder added.
This means that you still get excellent energy efficiency (saving you money on your energy bills), but you get the added back up of some stored water to give an improved hot water flow-rate to your home.
Combi Storage (system) condensing boilers are better suited to larger homes because the addition of a hot water storage tank means that more that one water source can be run at the same time (until the stored hot water is use up).
Our recommendation?
The law now states that you must fit a high efficiency (condensing) boiler unless it is too expensive or difficult to do so.
We recommend installing a combi storage (system) condensing boiler to your home if you have a larger home, or a combi (combination) boiler if you have a small houe or flat, because their high energy efficiency will lower your bills and help the environment.
When buying a new boiler always try to choose a SEDBUK A rated boiler, as this means it has the highest efficency rating (which is better for everybody!).
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