The onset of winter brings cool, brisk mornings, chilly evenings, and with it perhaps reluctant thoughts of turning up the thermostat, keeping the house warm, comfortable, and the advancing chill at bay.
What types of domestic boilers are available?
Modern boilers are reliable and long-lasting, although at some point replacement will become inevitable. It is important to know what types of boiler there are available and how to choose a boiler based on your heating needs and the size of your home.
Conventional boiler
A conventional boiler can heat water, store it in a hot water tank, and keep it warm until it is needed. Once the stored hot water is used, more will need to be heated and the tank refilled.
These systems are more suitable for larger homes that have many radiators and multiple bathrooms. The water tank will require its own storage space – which is often used as an airing cupboard.
Combi-boilers
Combination boilers, commonly known as combi boilers, are the most popular boiler choice in the UK. They work by providing on-demand hot water directly from the mains water supply without being connected to a storage tank. As a combi boiler provides hot water at mains pressure, it allows a shower to be used without the need of an additional pump.
All the components are contained within one unit and there is no need for a separate hot water tank, making these boilers ideal for properties with space limitations.
System boilers
System boilers work by directly supplying hot water to a storage cylinder and the radiators in your home. Similar to a combi boiler, the main components of this system are stored in one unit, making installation, and servicing simpler. These types of boiler are ideal for properties with more than one bathroom or those that require more hot water than a combi boiler can provide.
Available space
The space available in your home could dictate the type of boiler that is most suitable. Most smaller properties have limited storage space, which may make it very difficult to house a separate hot water tank. If you do not have the space for a boiler, a large hot water tank and a cold-water tank, a combination boiler would likely be the better choice.
Existing systems
It is important to consider if you want to keep the same system as that already existing in your home. Generally, it is easier to retain the same type of system from a cost perspective and practicality issues.
There may be occasions when a change to another system may be a better choice. This is more probable to be the case for older homes as it is likely that a newer, more efficient system could be installed.
