There are three types of boiler:
- Combination Boiler
- Conventional Boiler
- System Boiler
When picking a boiler, you should base your decision on your home and lifestyle. To help you make an informed decision, or to learn more about your existing boiler, our experts have broken down each boiler type and its benefits – including what home it is most suited to.
Combination Boilers (Combi Boiler)
Combination Boilers are the most popular boiler in the UK. They provide heating and instant hot water on demand, which means you only pay for the water you use. It can provide instant hot water at mains pressure because it is a self-contained unit without the need for a separate hot water cylinder.
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) recommends the combi boiler as the most efficient and cost-effective option for households with low demands for hot water. Larger families who use more water, on the other hand, are more suited to a conventional boiler – more on that below.
Combi boilers are available in different sizes and have unique space saving features, meaning that they are suited for anything from small flats to large houses.
Conventional/Heat Only Boilers
A conventional boiler is fed by two tanks, which are kept in the loft. One tank takes the cold water from the mains, and the other feeds the boiler system. Unlike a combi, you don’t get hot water on demand with a conventional boiler. Instead, you have to wait for the water to heat up once the storage tank runs out.
Conventional boilers are best suited to larger households where people need to use lots of water, or where hot water is required from multiple sources at once (multiple taps running, two showers, etc).
You might also opt for a conventional boiler if your building cannot meet the high pressure demands of a combination boiler.
System Boilers
A system boiler is similar to a conventional boiler, but it can provide hot water on demand without a tank in the loft as this is replaced by an expansion vessel within the boiler. This means it takes up much less space as well.
Unfortunately, a system boiler is not as efficient as combination boilers and, much like a conventional boiler, once the water runs out, you will need to wait for it to heat up again – but there is a much larger store so this won’t happen as often.
Can I Get a Free Boiler?
Yes – you can get a free grant for a boiler with the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme as long as you meet the criteria. To find out more about the scheme and if you are eligible, click here.
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Written by Holly Charman, for Towy Valley Heating.