Choosing the right boiler for your home can be one of the most important (and expensive) decisions you make. It’s a balancing act between choosing one which is efficient, cost-friendly, and meets the need of your home. With a myriad of heating options, it helps to understand the different types of boilers available before making a commitment that’ll last 10-15 years.
What are the different types of boilers in the UK?
There are three main boiler types used in UK homes:
- Combination boilers (Combi boilers)
- System boilers
- Heat only (conventional) boilers
The UK has some of the most diverse housing stock in Europe, which is why there are so many options for home heating. Choosing the right boiler for your home will depend on the house size, your hot water needs, and the space you have available.
Combination Boilers
Combination (or combi) boilers are the most popular boiler type in the UK, found in approximately 80% of homes. It provides heating and hot water directly from the boiler unit without the need for a hot water cylinder.
The Pros:
- Compact design, ideal for smaller homes or flats
- No need for additional water storage of cylinders
- Provides hot water on demand, no need to wait for storage to heat up
- Generally, a cheap and fast installation compared with other boiler types
The Cons:
- Not ideal for homes with high water demands (multiple taps running concurrently)
- Requires good mains water pressure to work effectively
System boilers
System boilers are typically found in medium to large homes with a high hot water demand. Cold water from the mains is heated up by the boiler and stored in a separate hot water cylinder (often found in an airing cupboard). This means hot water is available on demand, making it better for homes which need to run multiple outlets, like showers, at once without losing pressure.
The Pros:
- Ideal for homes with multiple bathrooms
- Can deliver a steady supply of hot water without dropping pressure
- More efficient than older conventional systems
- No need for a loft tank
The Cons:
- Additional space required compared with a combi
- Hot water supply is limited by cylinder capacity
- Installation costs can be higher compared to a combi
Heat only (conventional) boilers
Also known as ‘regular’ or ‘traditional’ boilers, heat only boilers are the oldest type of boiler still in use. They consist of the main boiler, a hot water cylinder, and a cold-water storage tank (often found in the loft).
Mains water is fed into the cold-water storage tank; this then moves into the cylinder where it is heated and stored for when its needed. The hot water is then passed through radiators and taps on demand.
The Pros:
- Well suited to a large home with high hot water demand
- Can supply multiple bathrooms without pressure loss
- Compatible with older central heating systems, making replacement easy
The Cons:
- Two tanks taking up a large amount of space in a home
- Hot water isn’t instant; it needs to warm up first
- Less efficient than a modern combi or system boiler
Hybrid heating – the modern alternative
If you’re considering upgrading your heating system, it’s worth knowing that a like-for-like, or a traditional boiler set-up isn’t your only option. Instead of locking your home into gas heating for another 10-15 years, a hybrid heat pump option might be an ideal alternative.
Hybrid systems work by combining the familiarity of a combi boiler with the efficiency of a heat pump. The two work in tandem to deliver efficient heating for your home, with the combi boiler providing on-demand hot water when you need it. This option also requires minimal space in the home, with the combi boiler replacing the existing boiler and the heat pump needing only a small space outside. There’s no need for a hot water cylinder (which you’d need with a full heat pump system).
The Pros:
- Reduced energy usage and carbon emissions compared to a boiler
- Familiarity, no need to change how you operate your heating or hot water habits
- Future proofing and the ideal stepping stone into low carbon heating
The Cons:
- Does require space outside for the heat pump (although a reduced footprint compared to traditional heat pumps)
- Higher upfront costs due to not being covered by Boiler Upgrade Scheme
How to choose the right boiler for your home
Choosing a new boiler can be stressful. With a range of options, it’s important to choose the solution that’s right for you. Make sure you consider the following aspects:
- Hot water usage: if you’ve got several bathrooms and they’re often used all at once (think a large family during the morning rush), then you might need a system that can meet high demand
- Available space: terraced, flats, or smaller homes will often be pressed for space. Here, a combi boiler or hybrid works perfectly to meet heating needs
- Water pressure: if your home suffers from low pressure, solutions which rely on stored water would provide an increase on pressure compared with a mains-fed system
- Future proofing: whatever system you choose, it’s likely to last 10-15 years (maybe longer). If you’re planning on moving to a more carbon-efficient home, consider hybrids as the ideal stepping stone into this approach
Ultimately, if you’re not sure which system is most appropriate, then it’s best to seek expert advice. Your installer will be able to make recommendations, or alternatively, the team at Alpha can advise on the most efficient solution for your home.
If you need help finding a boiler, get in contact with our team today for expert advice.