There is a boiler in almost all homes in the UK. There are different types of boiler you can choose from. Before you purchase a water heating system, it’s best that you consider your needs and preferences. Boilers differ greatly in efficiency, energy consumption, and cost. The latest and most efficient boilers are the condensing boilers. Here is a guide to help you choose the right type of boiler.
Combi boilers
This is probably the most popular type among central heating boilers. Its name is derived from its combination of functions of traditional heaters. The role of a combi boiler is to heat the radiators which in turn supply hot water in your home. This boiler has a combination of hot water cylinder and cold water tank.
A combi boiler is a small standalone unit that is easily fixed on a wall. Most people prefer these boilers as they save space, unlike traditional boilers where you have to create room for a heating tank.
Advantages of combi boilers
- Guarantees unlimited and uninterrupted supply of hot water in your home.
- It’s simple and saves space. It is a small compact device that can be fixed next to your shelves or cupboards.
- It’s very economical when installed in homes and small businesses
- Can supply up to 18 litres of hot water in a minute
Heat only boilers
These boilers are an upgrade of the old heating systems. A heat only boiler supplies heat directly to water in a large tank, which then supplies the radiators with heat. Here, you need to have two tanks; one for hot water and the other for cold water.
Advantages of heat only boilers
- Unlike the simple combi boiler, a heat only boiler can have several hot water supply outlets since the source is a large container.
- They are ideal and economical for large households and industries with high demand for warm water.
- Its replacement and repair work is easy, as there is little pipework involved.
System boilers
These are quite similar to heat only boilers although they occupy more space. The main purpose of this boiler is to store hot water. It involves several heating and hot-water components that make up a system boiler.
Advantages of system boilers
- Ideal for modern homes with high demand for hot water
- It can be used together with pressurised cylinders. This means that you don’t need an extra tank in the loft to store cold water.
- Easy to install as there are few components involved
These are the available condensing boilers. They have their shortcomings depending on your needs. You can enquire and compare their effectiveness and energy consumption to choose a boiler that meets your needs. It is also important to consider your house size as some of these boilers need a lot of space.
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