Do your eyes glaze over when conversation turns to choosing a new boiler??
Did you even know there are different types of boiler??
Please read on and I hope I have put it in simple terms, that makes it slightly more interesting than watching paint dry!!
Combi boilers
Combination boilers – more commonly known as combi boilers – are the most popular kind in the UK and provide heat and hot water with no need for water tanks or cylinders. You can pick either a gas or electric combi boiler.
Pros
- you get unlimited heat and hot water when you need it (don’t have to scream at the kids to get out of the shower!).
- there’s no need for a tank in your loft.
- they don’t take up much space (more room for shoes and handbags!!)
Cons
- The water pressure might be reduced if you need hot water from more than one tap at a time (you might have to scream at the kids if they turn the tap on while you’re having a shower!)
- Combi boiler installation is quite tricky.
Suitable for
Almost any home, but best for homes where lots of people won’t need lots of hot water at the same time.
System boilers
System boilers – also known as sealed system – come with a water cylinder (which usually sits in an airing cupboard) and no water tank.
Pros
- there’s no need for a tank in your loft.
- you can get hot water from multiple taps at the same time (hooray, no scolding moments in the shower!).
Cons
- you don’t get hot water instantly.
- the hot water can run out and you’ll have to wait for it to reheat (you will have to scream at the kids to get out of the shower!).
- you need to find room for the cylinder somewhere (less space for shoes and handbags!).
Suitable for
Homes which need to have hot water in more than one place at the same time.
Conventional boilers
Conventional boilers – also known as open vent or regular boilers – have both a cylinder and a tank.
Pros
- You can get hot water from multiple taps at the same time (hooray, no scolding moments in the shower!).
Cons
- the hot water can run out and you’ll have to wait for it to reheat.
- you need to find room for the cylinder and the tank(less space for shoes and handbags!)..
Suitable for
Homes which need to have hot water in more than one place at the same time.
Condensing boilers
Condensing boilers aren’t strictly a boiler type – instead it’s an attribute your boiler can have, e.g. you can have a condensing combi boiler or a condensing conventional boiler.
Condensing boilers are very energy efficient because they capture some of the heat which would escape from the flue of a non-condensing boiler and re-use it. This means they get more heat from the same amount of fuel, which will save you money on your heating bills(and give you more money to spend on shoes!).
All new gas boilers have had to be condensing since 2005 (although in exceptional circumstances non-condensing boilers are allowed).
Still with me?? Good!! I hope this has helped you make your decision and shed some light on the mysteries of boilers!! If you need a new boiler in Central London, East London, West London, South West London or North London, simply call Plumb London today.
