Buying the proper boiler for your house is likely to be the best purchase that you’ll ever make for comfort, energy savings, and your long-term heating bill. A boiler that’s too small won’t warm your house, and a boiler that’s too big will be wasting your money and energy. With all the various sizes, styles, and makes available, it can be helpful to learn about what’s available so it’ll be simple.
This book will take you through start to finish—boiler operation and boiler types through what to consider when selecting the most appropriate boiler for your household.
1. How a Boiler Works
A boiler is the most essential appliance in most homes in the UK, which gives central heating and hot water. It’s a technology in which the water is warmed inside the boiler and distributed through an arrangement of pipes to radiators, underfloor systems, or storage cylinders. New boilers are significantly more efficient than boiler models a decade and more behind-the-times and can be paired with smart controls in order to get even better performance from them.
2. Boiler Types Definition
Learn about the types and application prior to selecting a boiler:
a. Combi Boilers (Combination Boilers)
How it works: Provides heat and hot water immediately directly from the boiler without the need for an additional tank or cylinder.
Best suited for: Small small flats and houses with limited available space.
Advantages:
- Space-saving and compact
- Hot water instantly at the touch of a button
- Typically low installation cost
Disadvantages
- Not ideal for big houses that have more than one bathroom
- Pressure of water reduces when several taps are opened at the same time
b. System Boilers
How they work: Needs a hot water storage cylinder but not a cold water tank.
Perfect for: Medium to large houses with more than one bathroom.
Pros:
- Round-the-clock water pressure
- Is capable of supplying several taps at once
Cons:
- Occupies more space than combi boiler
- Non-significant hot water supply delay as stored
c. Heat-Only or Standard Traditional Boilers
Working principle: utilization of hot water cylinder and storage cold water cylinder
Conforms to: fitted existing heating system prior to installation on old buildings.
Benefits:
- Suits best for family members with busy high-hot water requirements
- Similar to existing pipework and existing radiators
Drawbacks:
- Occupies a lot of space
- Wasteful use of energy as compared to replacement system boiler or replacement combi
3. Main Things to Watch out for when selecting a boiler
a. House size
Your property size does come into play when deciding what kind and how big a boiler you are going to require. A small flat will only be able to handle up to a few 24kW combi boiler, but a big family home will require a 35kW system boiler so that it can handle hot water and heating requirements.
b. Bathrooms
If it is a house which has more than one bathroom and clients are in massive numbers, then in that case a combi boiler is behind in providing enough hot water at a single time. In that case, it would be best positioned to a system or traditional boiler.
c. Available Space
Think about the position of the boiler. Combi boilers are small and can be hidden away at the back of kitchen units, so fitting them is easy for smaller rooms. System and standard boilers have more space required because they include tanks or cylinders.
d. Water Pressure
Low mains pressure water will render some boilers pointless. Standard boilers perform well with low-water-pressure homes because they have gravity-fed systems.
e. Energy Efficiency
Energy-efficient versions are available on the new boilers. Choose an A-rated boiler in order to conserve energy and cut down on the utility bill cost. Condensing technology is included in the new boilers, and the waste heat is utilized again to function economically.
f. Futureproofing
As the government is encouraging cleaner forms of heating, perhaps it would be a good investment to buy hydrogen-ready or hybrid boilers that would be able to take advantage of any shift in energy supply in the future.
4. Brands and Quality of Boilers
Although there are literally an absolutely mind-boggling number of them, some of the most reliable boiler brands in the UK are:
- Worcester Bosch – Long and stable guarantees
- Vaillant – Whispy-boiling, value boilers
- Ideal – Good customer service, decent price
- Baxi – Highly performing high-established British company
Always choose a recognisable brand, longer guarantee terms, and easily accessible support.
5. Smart Controls and Features
Future models will likely have or be compatible with electronic controls and smart thermostats. These allow you:
- To program heating schedules
- To control temperatures remotely using your phone
- To see your energy use
- To be integrated into home automation systems
Not only is it easier, but it is also more energy-controlled.
6. Installation Cost and Budget
The installation cost of a boiler will be based on:
- The model and type of boiler
- Labour charge
- Is it as simple a replacement or system replacement
- Average Prices:
- Replacement of combi boiler: £1,500–£3,000
- Fitting of system boiler: £2,000–£3,500
- Changing conventional to combi: £2,500–£4,000
Always get at least three quotes from Gas Safe registered engineers and ensure the quote covers VAT, spares, labour, and warranty.
7. Servicing and Maintenance
Regular servicing after the correct boiler is fitted gives maximum performance. An annual service will:
- Extend boiler’s life
- Save energy
- Catch faults before they develop into huge issues
- keep your guarantee
- A serviced boiler can last 10-15 years, or longer.
8. Law and Safety
UK boiler installation should be done by a Gas Safe registered installer. That is legal, safe, and to all the appropriate building regulations.
When fitted, you’ll get:
- A Benchmark certificate
- Instruction manuals
- Warranty certificates
- A building regulations certificate (if necessary)
Never, ever fit or attempt any modifications to a boiler yourself, as it is extremely hazardous. Contact Squires and Duran for more information.
