CHOOSING A BOILER

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Choosing the right Boiler for your Home

Choosing the right boiler depends on your property and individual needs. Some important factors to consider:

• Position – wall hung or floor-standing models are available. The boilers distance from an outside wall or the roof will affect the type of flue you have (‘ Open ' or ‘ Room-sealed' ).

• Size of household – for example, does your boiler need to supply heating and hot water for a number of bathrooms?
• Running costs - look for energy rating labels to compare costs.
• Maintenance – some boilers require stringent servicing than others.
• Safety - all boilers require a regular service by a qualified professional. It is a legal requirement for gas boilers to be inspected by a qualified CORGI engineer annually. Boilers or flues must not be altered without seeking expert advice.

Pro's and Con's of Boiler Options

Traditional Boiler

A cast iron heat exchanger heats the water, similar to a gas burner under a kettle.

Pros:

• operates quietly and has reliable, easily understood controls
• huge range of sizes suit most properties

Cons:

• fuel consumption is relatively high

Combination Boiler

The ‘Combi' will provide both hot water for you central heating and your taps.

Pros:

• ideal for a flat or small house because the lack of tanks saves space
• instant hot water to your taps

Cons:

• the internal workings are complicated and can be expensive to repair, so a maintenance contract or boiler insurance cover is advisable
• not highly suitable for a large house where a number of people require hot water at the same time

Condensing Boiler

A modern gas boiler available for fully pumped systems or as a combination boiler.

Pros:

• designed so that water returning from the heating system is used to cool the flue gases - this extracts heat which is normally lost

• works best with radiator temperatures of about 60 ˚C (140˚F), but even at a temperature of up to 80˚C (176˚F) they are significantly more efficient than other boilers

Cons:

• requires a fan assisted flue

Oil-Fired Boiler

Traditional, combination and condensing boilers can be oil-fired. They are generally floor-standing, though some are wall-hung models.

Pros:

• one of the cheapest heating fuels available

Cons:

• servicing costs are generally higher and deliveries must be planned

Back-Boiler

This boiler type offers gas, oil or solid fuel consumption.

Pros:

• a ‘cosy' look and feel as it includes a fire facility (solid fuel consumption)

Cons:

• requires a natural-draught open flue
• solid fuel back boilers work only when the fire is lit so an electric immersion heater is needed for hot water in summer

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