Types of boilers

When looking for a new boiler, it can be hard to know which type is right for your home. You probably haven’t brought a boiler for around a decade and everything is much more advanced now and there are lots more options, which is much better for your home- but much harder when it comes to finding the right one! Keep reading to find out the pros and cons of the most common types of boilers.

Conventional boilers

Pros:

• Doesn’t rely on good mains pressure
• Using multiple taps won’t affect the water pressure
• Can easily meet a high demand for hot water
• Can work with an older radiator system
• If your boiler breaks down you’ll still have hot water
• Can be cost effective

Cons:

• Require a lot of space for the water storage cylinder and two water tanks
• Can’t provide water on demand
• Less efficient than combination boilers
• Energy can escape when the water is being stored in the cylinder unless it is correctly insulated

System boilers

Pros:

• Doesn’t rely on good mains pressure
• Doesn’t require any loft space, as there are no water tanks needed
• Can use multiple taps at the same time, without reducing the water pressure
• Ideal for smaller homes that still require a lot of hot water

Cons:

• Some space is still needed for the water storage cylinder
• Hot water is limited to how much your cylinder can hold
• Not suited for homes with older radiator systems, as the radiators can’t cope with the high power
• Energy can escape when the water is being stored in the cylinder unless it is correctly insulated

Combination (Combi) boilers

Pros:

• Requires less space
• The hot water is heated as when it is needed, wasting very little energy
• Energy efficient
• Instant hot water
• No storage cylinder, so no risk of lost energy

Cons:

• Water pressure decreases if several taps are used at the same time
• Requires good mains pressure
• Only suited for smaller homes with low demand for hot water
• Not suited for homes with older radiator systems, as the radiators can’t cope with the high power