Choosing a new boiler can be difficult, especially with so many different options available. In the United Kingdom, two prominent options are combi boilers and system boilers. But which one is best for your home? This hinges on several factors, including heating needs, home size, and the number of people living in your house. No matter which boiler you prefer you may get one for free. The process and details can be seen by visiting https://berksinsulation.com/free-boiler-grants/.
In this article, we see two boilers up against each other. What does each bring to the table? Read on to find ou.
What’s Combi Boiler?
A combi boiler, or combination boiler, heats your home and provides hot water straight away in one tiny unit. There’s no need to have extra tanks sucking up space. When you turn on a hot tap, a heat exchanger rapidly heats the water. So, there’s no waiting! A pump circulates hot water around your home to keep the radiators warm. Moreover, combi boilers use mains water pressure, so you won’t have to worry about poor showers even if someone flushes the toilet.
Key benefits of a combi boiler
The key features include a heat exchanger, which heats water on demand. Next, it has a pump that provides hot water for taps and radiators. The key benefits of these boiler machines are:
You enjoy hot water whenever you want, without waiting.
It saves you space by getting rid of the need for additional tanks.
Moreover, it reduces operating costs and skips the need to store hot water.
What’s a Regular Boiler?
Regular boilers, often known as conventional boilers, operate in a different way. They have two different tanks: a hot water cylinder and a cold water tank. The hot water cylinder is like a large pot of hot water that is always available. The boiler heats the water, which stays warm in the cylinder until you need it for a shower or bath. For heating, the boiler works like a combi, delivering hot water to radiators.
Regular boilers may be preferable for large households with multiple bathrooms since they can store more hot water. However, they occupy up greater floor space with those extra tanks, and if everyone showers at the same time, the hot water may run out.
Difference between combi and system boilers
Consider your home’s complexity before hiring a boiler installer. Combi boilers are easier to install in smaller urban residences. However, installing a traditional boiler is more challenging. It requires more pipelines and tanks, which can be difficult to install, particularly in older homes.
Here’s what you should consider:
- Combi boilers are easy to replace with few adjustments.
Ideal for small households with no room to install extra tanks.
Easy to install, saving time on labour. - Conventional boilers may require a new tank or additional piping.
The cold water tank requires space in the loft.
Ideal for larger homes with a lot of bathrooms that require hot water.
Whatever you choose, make sure to hire a trained installer. They’ll work with you to decide the best one for your home and make sure everything is safe and efficient.
How much space do these boilers need?
Because they do not require additional tanks, combi boilers are tiny and easy to store in a cupboard. Conventional boilers, on the other hand, really need more room since they have tanks in the loft and cylinders in a cabinet.
Here is a short comparison.
- Combi boilers eliminate the need for supplementary tanks or cylinders.
Ideal for smaller homes. - Conventional boilers are ideal for providing hot water to multiple locations and require space for tanks and cylinders.
So, it all depends on how much space you have. Consequently, smaller households may opt for combi boilers, while larger homes might want regular boilers for extra room.
Costs, Energy Efficiency and Bills
When considering boilers, you should consider both the immediate costs and the long-term energy bill reductions.
- Modern combi boilers are extremely efficient, saving up to 90-94% of the energy they consume.
- Older boilers may only use roughly 55% of their energy for heating.
- Higher efficiency leads to cheaper long-term energy expenses, which is beneficial to both your wallet and the environment.
- The initial costs of purchasing a new boiler may be high.
- Combi boilers may be more cost-effective in the long term due to their lack of additional tanks during installation.
- Also, they typically require less maintenance over time, saving you money.
Comparing Performance
Choosing the right boiler depends on your home:
- Combi boilers are ideal for small to medium households with one bathroom. They are not going to need any extra tanks.
- Conventional boilers are suitable for large houses with many bathrooms. They need room for tanks.
- While combi boilers call for high water pressure to function properly, conventional boilers endure lower pressures. Now, if your water pressure is poor, you could go with a conventional boiler.
Bottom line
So think about how much water your home consumes. Furthermore, if you often need hot water from multiple taps at once, a traditional boiler may be suitable. However, if you want to conserve energy and space, opt for a combi boiler.
