Choosing a New Boiler for your Home

Getting a new boiler is one of those big decisions you want to get right. A boiler is relied on daily to heat your home and give you lovely warm baths.

Your boiler is a key part of your central heating system. Yor boiler heats water, which is circulated through radiators to warm your home. Boilers also supply hot water for your taps, showers, and baths.

When considering a new boiler for your home, it’s important to explore all available options to find the best fit for your needs. For homeowners seeking efficiency and reliability, reviewing a selection of a range of boilers from trusted suppliers can simplify the decision-making process, ensuring that you choose the right boiler for your household requirements.

There are a range of boiler types too.

 How Much Does a New Boiler Cost?

The average cost of a new combi boiler in the UK is £3,000. And remember any gas boiler needs to be professionally installed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. It’s the law.

With both the large costs and high reliance, choosing a new boiler is something you want to get right. They usually come with warranties of up to 10 years, which are valid as long as you get an annual service.

Boiler Types

Understanding which boiler to choose can make a difference in your energy efficiency and the comfort of your home. There are a few on the market.

Combination (Combi) Boilers

•         Advantages: Space-saving, no need for a hot water cylinder or cold water tank. Provides hot water on demand.
•         For: Small to medium homes with good water pressure.

Combi boilers are the most common type of boiler found in many homes in the UK. They are a great choice for properties with one bathroom, where the demand for hot water and heating will likely be lower than bigger properties.

Combis connect directly to the mains cold water and heat it up when you need it – when you turn on a tap, for example. The boilers themselves take up less space than others because they don’t use a water tank. You get instant and unlimited hot water.

Combi boilers also look better than other boilers, and due to their prevalence, they’ll be easy to service as most engineers will be trained on this type of boiler.

Combi boilers have limits when providing water to two places at once. A person won’t be able to run hot water for the washing up downstairs, whilst another is upstairs getting a shower without the supply being affected temporarily.

They won’t work as well if you have low water pressure.

Conventional Boilers

Advantages: Uses both a hot water cylinder and cold water tank. Reliable for homes with older radiator systems.

For: Larger homes with multiple bathrooms and older heating systems.

Conventional or regular boilers connect to a water tank to provide hot water. They will also heat your radiators directly and will normally have an on/off switch.

Thanks to the use of a water expansion tank, heat only boilers are ideal for larger households and will enable you to use hot water for two (or more) different things at the same time.

The expansion tank means more space is needed, often in the loft. This also incurs higher installation costs if you don’t already have a boiler of the same type.

With these ‘heat only’ boilers water will take time to heat up in the tank – it doesn’t give hot water instantly like a combi does and isn’t as efficient. It’s also possible to run out of hot water, leaving you waiting for the tank to refill.

System Boilers

Advantages: Uses a hot water cylinder but no cold water tank. Can supply hot water to multiple taps simultaneously.

For: Homes with multiple bathrooms.

System boilers are a great alternative to heat only, they give all the benefits of a heat only boiler but don’t need a cold water tank. This means they’ll take up less space than a heat only, but still more than a combi. You’ll still have to wait for water to heat up and there’s always the chance of you running out of hot water.

Choosing Your Boiler

You’ll probably already have a boiler in place so it may be a like-for-like swap. But if you want a different boiler you can always ask a professional for advice. Just look for a gas engineer near me to start.

Ongoing Maintenance

Have your boiler serviced annually by a qualified engineer to check for any issues and ensure it’s working efficiently. If your radiators are taking longer to heat up or have cold spots, bleeding them can help remove trapped air and improve efficiency.

Regularly check your boiler’s pressure gauge. Low pressure can prevent your boiler from functioning properly. Keep an eye out for any leaks around your boiler and radiators. Addressing leaks early can prevent bigger issues.

Final Thoughts

Boilers play a vital role in keeping your home warm and comfortable. Regular maintenance and timely upgrades are also key. So, whether you’re looking to install a new boiler or just want to keep your current one in its best condition, these tips will help you make informed decisions and keep your home warm for years to come.