Combi boilers, heat only (also known as regular boilers), and system boilers are the three primary types of boilers available across the UK. Choosing the right one for your home can be difficult and is determined by various factors such as your existing hot water consumption, the age of your current heating systems and the pressure of your mains water supply.
In this blog, we go through the different types of boilers available to help you make the right decision.
Types of Boilers
Combination Boilers
Combi boilers work by using a metal heat exchanger to provide hot water on demand, and they do so by burning fuels like gas or oil. There is no need for a hot water storage cylinder or a cold water tank because combi boilers heat water directly from the mains. Because water is not heated and stored in a tank, they are incredibly energy-efficient and cost-effective to run.
This type of boiler is great for smaller homes that don't have an airing cupboard or enough roof space to store the boiler and storage tank.
While combi boilers have many advantages, there are certain things to consider before installing one.
Benefits of Combi Boilers
- Smaller in size
- Energy efficient
- Great level of water pressure
- Quick and easy to install
- Offers hot water on demand
Heat-Only Boilers
A heat-only boiler system is fed by two tanks, these tanks are usually placed in the loft. The first tank is the cold water storage tank, which takes cold water from the main supply. The second tank is the feed and expansion tank, which feeds the boiler and regulates any water that expands after being heated. The boiler warms the water, which is then kept in a hot water cylinder until it's needed for radiators or other household use.
Heat-only boilers are common in older homes and many modern homeowners prefer to replace them with a system or combi boiler. The reason for this is that they provide more water pressure. However, some older homes may not have pipes capable of handling higher water pressure, necessitating the use of a traditional boiler system. They also do have a few advantages!
Benefits of Heat-Only Boilers
- Can use multiple taps for hot water at once
- Compatible with a backup immersion heater
- Compatible with solar thermal
System Boilers
A system boiler functions similarly to a traditional boiler, with the exception that it does not require additional tanks. This is because the technology is carefully designed to be built into the boiler unit itself.
It works by drawing cold water directly from the mains, heating it up and then storing it in a hot water cylinder until it is required.
Advantages of a system boiler
- Easy to install
- Use multiple taps at once
- Doesn't require a cold water feed tank
- Compatible with solar thermals
Which type of boiler shall I install?
The combi boiler is the most popular type of boiler installed in the UK, followed by system boilers in bigger homes with numerous bathrooms.
Many older homes may require the installation of a combinational boiler to avoid having to rebuild plumbing and radiators, and households with a low water pressure may discover that a gravity-fed boiler provides better water pressure.
If you're unsure about which type of boiler to install, speak with a professional heating engineer in your area for guidance and a quotation on the job.
Here at AllForProperty, our heating engineers are available throughout Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield, Solihull and Tamworth. If you would like to know more about how we can help you with your new boiler, simply call us on 0121 405 0404 and we will be happy to help.