Boiler Types: An In-Depth Guide

“What is the ideal boiler type for my home?” is a common enquiry we get here at Elite Group. There are a variety of boiler types available, and the best one for your house will be determined by your energy source, home size, and heating and water needs.

We’ll go through the distinctions between the various boiler kinds, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each. It will tell you which boiler is the most cost-effective, energy-efficient, and ecologically friendly for your house, so you can make an educated decision.

Condensation Boiler

A condensing boiler isn’t always an individual kind of boiler. Since 2005, every boiler installed in the United Kingdom must be condensing. This is because it helps to increase energy efficiency while also reducing your carbon impact and electricity costs. Condensing boilers are the most energy efficient, and they play an essential part in building environmentally friendly houses.

Positives of a Condensing Boiler

Condensing boilers are 90 percent more efficient than earlier types previously installed in UK households in terms of energy and cost. Aside from being healthier for the environment, the advantages for your house include a more efficient source of heating. They are usually more costly, but the money saved on bills over time should more than make up for it in the long term.

Condensing boilers are excellent for smaller houses since they do not need the installation of a water storage tank. There are several small designs available when it comes to the size of the boiler itself, limiting the amount of room they will physically take up.

Negatives of Condensing Boilers

Frozen pipes: These boiler types need a condensate pipe to go to an outside part of your house, and the cold weather may damage this pipe throughout the winter. If the condensate pipe freezes, it may prevent the boiler from functioning; however, running warm water over it helps to thaw it out and is typically sufficient to resolve the problem.

High maintenance costs: Because of the engineering that goes into a condensing boiler, it has a lot of complicated components. Because of this, they may be more expensive to fix when it comes to providing upkeep. To prevent any issues, it is essential to get the boiler serviced once a year by a Gas Safe certified expert.

Combi Boilers

Combi boilers are one of the most common kind of boiler types installed in the United Kingdom. This is due to the fact that they eliminate the need for water tanks or cylinders in the house while still guaranteeing that you have hot water and heat whenever you need it. Combi boilers may be either gas or electric, depending on your home’s existing setup. They are also said to be highly energy efficient, which means that not only do you save room by not having to build a tank, but your power costs are also reduced, saving you money.

Positives of a Combi Boiler

Combi boilers are typically smaller in size than other boiler types. They also don’t need storage tanks, so individuals who live in apartments and small houses will be able to benefit from a fantastic heating system without sacrificing too much room.

Cost and energy efficiency: Combi boilers guarantee that you only heat the water you need, using much less energy and keeping your energy costs low throughout the year.

Strong water pressure: Having a high-efficiency boiler is useless if the water pressure at the faucets is inadequate. Fortunately, as long as the mains pressure is enough, combi boilers should provide just that.

Short installation times: A new boiler should be installed as soon as feasible, and a combi boiler is fast and simple to install. They are simple to fix when it comes to repairs and upkeep, keeping expenses low and manageable.

Combi boilers offer continuous hot water anytime it is required, eliminating the need to wait for the water in a tank to heat up.

Negatives of a Combi Boiler

Shower compatibility: If you have a power shower, it is unlikely that it will operate with a combi boiler.

The pressure of the water is governed by the mains.

Problems with the mains supply: Before installing a combi boiler, ensure sure the mains supply has a high flow rate to get the most out of the system. If this is not the case, another solution may be preferable.

If you have more than one bathroom, a combi boiler will not allow both get hot water if a shower/bath/tap is being used at the same time. This is inconvenient if more than one person need hot water.

System Boilers

A water cylinder (located in an airing closet) but no water tank are included with system boilers, which are also known as sealed systems. They are one of the best boiler types for houses with several bathrooms since they offer a continuous supply of hot water. System boilers are also a suitable choice for houses without a loft or for converting a portion of the house that already has a heating system. They may also be utilised in combination with solar water heating systems for the really ecologically concerned, while also offering excellent energy efficiency.

Positives of a System Boiler

Easy to install: Unlike some other kinds, system boilers come pre-installed with many of the components required to get the heating system up and running, making the installation procedure a breeze.

Use several sources of water: If you live on a big property and need to operate multiple baths, showers, or taps at the same time, the storage tank will not create any problems.

System boilers are compatible with solar thermal panels: Households using solar thermal systems will discover that system boilers are compatible. This is an additional method to minimise your carbon footprint and energy costs.

Negatives of a System Boiler

Because a system boiler requires a hot water storage tank to function, it is not appropriate for smaller houses that lack the necessary space.

Heat loss: As hot water sits in the storage tank for extended periods of time, the temperature drops. Although this comes at an additional cost, it should be insulated to prolong the duration the water keeps the heat.

Limited hot water: How much water is accessible at any one moment is determined by the size of the water tank you have placed. When it runs out, you must reheat the water from the beginning before using it again.