Servicing, repairs and installations 
When you’re ready for a new boiler, it can seem difficult to know which type of boiler will be best for your home. 
While our expert team here at HL Plumbing & Heating Solutions will be able to advise you on the ideal boiler for your budget and household needs, it can also be helpful to have a better understanding of the various options available to you, to help you to make an informed decision. 
 
Here’s some helpful advice on the different types of boiler, and how to choose the right one for you… 
 
What are the different types of boiler? 
 
1) Conventional or regular boilers 
A conventional boiler will heat water and store it in a tank, keeping the stored water hot until it’s needed by your taps or radiators. When the water tank is empty, you’ll need to wait for the tank to be refilled with hot water again, which will usually come from a separate cold water tank. 
 
Conventional boilers are often suitable for larger homes with multiple bathrooms and radiators, where a larger quantity of hot water is being used, or where your mains pressure is too low to heat enough water on demand. Conventional boilers can also be suitable for homes with solar energy heating, as they allow you to store your hot water in the tank. 
 
However, they do have the drawback of requiring extra space for the hot and cold water tanks - most people use an airing cupboard for the hot tank, and have the cold tank in their attic. The hot water pressure from a conventional boiler can also be slightly lower, due to the boiler relying on gravity for its pressure (unlike a combi boiler, which gets pressure from the cold mains supply). 
 
 
2) Combi boilers 
Combination or ‘combi’ boilers are the most popular type of boiler in the UK. Combi boilers provide hot water on-demand, directly from the mains water supply. 
 
Part of their popularity is down to the higher level of energy efficiency, as none of the heat energy is lost through a hot water storage tank - you simply heat what you use. 
 
Combi boilers are also great for homes where space is limited, as they are a more compact option, often fitting into a kitchen cabinet space or under a counter, with no additional space needed for a water tank. 
 
 
3) System boilers 
System boilers supply hot water to a storage cylinder and to your radiators. System boilers are great for properties with more than one bathroom, or who use more hot water than a combi boiler is able to supply. 
 
System boilers do need a cylinder to store hot water, but unlike conventional boilers they don’t always need a cold water tank, making them more appealing to home with loft conversions who need the extra space. System boilers are also compatible with solar panel systems. 
 
 
What should I consider when choosing a new boiler? 
 
When recommending a new boiler, our plumbing and heating engineers will take plenty of factors into account to help choose the best boiler for your needs. 
 
These include: 
 
How much hot water your household uses, or may use in the future: this includes whether you usually use multiple bathrooms at the same time, how many radiators you have, and how much hot water you need on-demand. It’s useful to note that if you have a young family, your water usage will likely increase as your children get older. 
Your current system, and why you’re looking to change it: it’s generally cheaper and easier to install a new system that is the same as your current system - equally, there may be specific things about your current system that you’d like to change with your new one, so it’s helpful to discuss this with your heating engineer. 
The space available for your boiler: as most properties have limited storage space, adding a new hot water tank is often not the best option. If you have a tank at the moment, you might want to free up space in your attic or airing cupboard, which would make a combi boiler a good option. 
Future home renovations: if you’re looking to install solar panels in the future to reduce your household energy bills, then it makes sense to choose a system or regular boiler, as this would be compatible with a solar heating system. If you’re considering a loft conversion, then a combi boiler would free up more space in your attic, as there’s no need for a cold water tank. And if you’re adding an ensuite or an additional bathroom in the near future, you may need a larger boiler to be able to supply the added water demands. 
Water pressure: if your household water pressure is low, then the mains pressure might not be high enough to supply a combi boiler, so a system or regular boiler would be more appropriate for you. 
 
 
 
Which type of boiler fuel is the best? 
 
Another consideration when choosing a new boiler is which type of fuel supply is best for your home. Often, this choice will have been made for you - you’re either on the mains gas supply, or you might be in a more rural location with an oil or gas tank. 
 
Green energy options are also a growing form of fuel, and are worth discussing with your engineer to make sure you choose the most efficient option for your home. 
 
1) Main gas boilers 
 
Most homes in the UK are connected to mains gas, which is considered to be the cleanest form of non-renewable energy. This also gives you plenty of options when it comes to boilers. 
 
2) Oil boilers 
 
Over 4 million homes in the UK are not connected to mains gas, many of which use oil as a heat source. Oil boilers are generally much heavier than gas boilers, so need to be floor standing rather than wall mounted, and can take up a little more space. 
 
 
At HL Plumbing & Heating Solution, we specialise in fitting gas boilers to homes across the Bristol area. 
 
Having a new boiler installed can: 
 
Cut your energy bills, by being more efficient 
Be more eco-friendly, by using less gas and reducing your emissions 
Be safer and quieter 
Be more reliable, saving you money on future repairs 
Free up space in your home 
 
If you’d like expert advice on the best boiler for your needs, as well as a quote for a new boiler installation, just get in touch with our friendly team today to arrange for a visit. 
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