Picking the right boiler for your home can be daunting.
Below, we have explained all the boiler types to help you decide. Use the guide and our handy quick quote tool and we will help you find the perfect boiler to suit your needs. We have summarised the pros and cons of each boiler type so you can find the best type of boiler for your home.
WHAT TYPE OF BOILER DO I OWN?
| COMBI BOILER | A single boiler unit |
| CONVENTIONAL | A boiler unit, hot water tank AND cold water tank |
| SYSTEM BOILER | A boiler unit and a hot water cylinder |
| OIL BOILER | Depends on boiler being system/combi/regular |
| CONDENSING BOILER | Depends on boiler being system/combi/regular |
There is a wide range of boiler types in each section above. Boilers can be different types due to the fuel they use, how they heat water and store it and how they deliver water to your central heating system and hot taps.
GAS BOILERS
OIL BOILERS
Oil boilers are best suited to homes without a connection to the mains gas supply; homes in isolated and rural areas.
Gas boilers can be fitted external or internal to your home. One thing to note is oil boilers require a tank underground and for you to buy and store oil for heating.
Gas and oil boilers can also be combi boilers, system boilers or conventional boilers. They work the same way, but the only difference is the fuel source. Below are pros and cons for each boiler type.
COMBI BOILERS
PROS AND CONS OF A COMBI BOILER
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Unlimited heating and hot water on demand for homes with 4 or less bedrooms | Water pressure may lower if using more than 1 tap at a time |
| Cost-effective and eco-friendly – only heating water you need at a specific time | No other source of hot water if boiler breaks down |
| No cylinder needed – space saving |
SYSTEM BOILERS
System boilers are a closed system made up of your boiler unit and a cylinder. Your boiler heats up the water which is stored in the cylinder.
System boilers are a better option for bigger homes as they allow you to have multiple taps and showers running at the same time. Ideal for multiple bathroom homes.
PROS AND CONS OF A SYSTEM BOILER
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Fast and simple to install – all components are within one unit | If your cylinder is not insulated to a high standard, it may lose heat |
| Space-saving – no cold-water tank necessary | Storage space will be needed for the cylinder. |
| Faster and more effective hot water to multiple taps at once – no losing pressure. | If you require large amounts of hot water ready on demand, you will need a larger cylinder. |
| Can be used with an immersion heater |
CONVENTIONAL BOILERS
Conventional boilers are the oldest type of boiler on this list, they are known as regular or traditional boilers.
A conventional boiler uses both a hot water cylinder and a cold-water storage tank.
PROS AND CONS OF A COVENTIONAL BOILER
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Hot water from more than on tap at the same time – combi boilers can struggle with this | 3 components will take up a large amount of space |
| Heat only boilers may still work even with low pressure | Can be more costly to install |
| Installing an electrical immersion heater in the cylinder ensures you will still have hot water if your boiler breaks down | Can take longer to install |
| If the cylinder is not well insulated, it will lose heat. |
GAS CONDENSING BOILERS
Condensing boilers are not a separate category of boiler. All types of boilers can be condensing boilers.
Condensing boilers are designed to be energy efficient. They trap heat that tries to escape through the flue and use this to heat your home, producing less waste. This latent heat is lost with non-condensing boilers.
By law, all new gas boilers in the UK are gas-condensing. With this gas-condensing technology, these boilers are over 90% efficient.
CPH recommends the Worcester Bosch Greenstar range for their efficiency. Call us today for a boiler survey and free quote or use our quick quote tool on our website.
HOW TO CHOOSE A NEW BOILER
Think about the size of your home, how much hot water you need on demand, the space available and what current system you have.
- Do you have multiple bathrooms or a large number of rooms to heat?
- Do you have a large number of radiators in your home? The size of your current central heating system will impact your decision.
You can change different boiler types from one to another, this is called a boiler conversion.
Cost plays a big part in deciding on new boiler types. Adding cylinders and water tanks can be more costly than installing a combi boiler.
The average cost for a combi boiler conversion including labour, parts and any flues, thermostats and materials needed is £2,000 – £2,500 excluding vat. CPH offers finance options with Worcester Bosch.
