What type of boiler do I need for my home?

We all know that boilers are a vital part of our homes, but many people may not know that there are different types of boilers that will be useful in different properties and situations. BOXT provides a wide range of different boilers, so they want to guide you through what they are, and why they may be useful for you.

Conventional Boilers

A conventional boiler, which is sometimes known as a heat only boiler, heats water and stores it in a hot water tank, ready to be used when you require it. Conventional boilers also require a cold water storage tank. The tanks that this type of boiler requires, means that there is more room needed in the property to have a conventional boiler, however, the space where the hot water tank is stored, often called an airing cupboard, can be useful in many homes!

System Boilers

System boilers are a type of heating system that supply hot water directly to a cylinder and the radiators in your property. A system boiler does not require a hot water tank, as the hot water is provided directly to where it needs to be, making the overall size of this system smaller than a conventional. This type of boiler can be useful in properties that have more than one bathroom, and require more hot water, as you do not have to wait for the water to be heated in the hot water storage.

Combi Boilers

Combi, or combination boilers, have quickly grown to be the most popular system in the UK, so what are the reasons for this? This boiler will provide hot water from the mains, without any need to use a storage tank, similarly to the system boiler. All the components of a combi boiler are contained within one unit, so once again, they are ideal for a property that doesn’t have the storage space for hot water tanks. The boiler is called a combination, as it is essentially a combination of a central heating boiler and a water heater, meaning that it is a very useful system!

Factors contributing to your choice of boiler

Now you are aware of the different types of boilers and you have a few facts about them, it’s time to look into what things may help you choose which type of boiler you need. There are many factors that will determine what the best choice of boiler is in your home, so we are going to take a look at some of these, to help make your decision easier.

Hot water supply needed

One of the key factors that you will need to consider when choosing your boiler type is the amount of hot water you and your co-habitees will need. What we mean by this is, different types of boilers will provide you with less or more hot water on demand, so if you are likely to require hot water to more than one outlet at once, you are better off with a system or a conventional boiler, both of which have cylinders. So, if you have multiple showers in your home, this would probably apply to you.

Space available in your home

As we mentioned in the different types of boilers, different types of boilers need different storage spaces for water tanks. This is something to consider as you need to be sure that you have the space for the water tanks. This means that if you are living in a smaller property, a combination boiler may be more suited to you, as you do not require a large hot water storage tank, as well as a cold water storage tank in the loft. If space is no worry to you, then you are free to choose any boiler, dependent on the other important factors.

What type of boiler do you already have?

This is something that you need to consider when you are in the process of choosing a new boiler, what system do you already have in your home? This is not the be all and end all, as you will still be able to choose from any boiler, but there are some reasons that it may help you decide. Firstly, if you already have a particular type of boiler in your house, it’s probably because it is the optimal boiler for the property, for this reason, you may be inclined to keep the same type, as you know it is what works well. There is also the reason, as mentioned above, that you have the correct space for your current type of boiler, so it may be a good idea to keep the same boiler you have in place. The times when you may want to change your boiler system would likely be in an older house, when the particular boiler system does not perform as well as a newer type, such as a combi boiler, so you may want to upgrade to this for efficiency purposes. The more efficient your boiler, the less your bills will cost – this is always an important factor to consider!

Now that you have plenty of things to consider when you are choosing a boiler for your home, you should be closer to making that decision. Always remember to consult a Gas Safe engineer, as they will have great knowledge of what you need, maintain your boiler well and you will keep efficiency high and costs down.