Is a combi boiler the best choice for my home?

While combi boilers are some of the most efficient boilers on the market, are they actually the best option for your home? The team at J. Wheatley Gas, Plumbing and Heating don't necessarily think so!  Read our blog post to find out why!

In this day and age, most boilers in smaller homes are combi boilers, and this makes sense as they are commonly the most efficient boilers out there. But if you don't have a combi boiler installed in your home, and you have a smaller home or flat, then you should definitely consider one.

What is a combi boiler? 

A combination boiler combines heating and hot water production into a single device, which is often wall-hung. In contrast to a normal or system boiler, which uses a hot water cylinder to heat water, a combi boiler heats water straight from the cold mains. Other types of boilers include gas boilers, regular boilers (also known as conventional boilers or heat-only boilers with a storage tank), and system boilers. Because a combi boiler uses mains water, the water pressure is frequently higher. This boiler type is one of the many high-efficiency boiler systems available at a price that fits most budgets when it comes to the suitable boiler cost, installation fees, and overall energy bills moving ahead.

Do I need a combi boiler for my home?

Combi boilers are one of the most common types of boilers, owing to their small size and ability to provide hot water directly from the mains. When they are used, hot water is provided at mains pressure, so it is possible to take a shower without the need for an additional shower pump. Combi boilers are ideal for small houses since all of the components are housed in a single unit, eliminating the need for a separate hot water tank. You may also buy a storage combi boiler, which is a boiler that is appropriate for larger houses. They work in the same way as a combi boiler but have a hot water tank like a traditional boiler system, enabling surplus hot water to be stored and used later.

Why might a combi boiler not suit my home?

If you have a larger homw with several bathrooms, then a combi boiler is not best suited to your home. In this case, your home would more likely benefit from having a conventional boiler. Conventional boilers are great for bigger homes with several bathrooms and a high number of radiators. As this boiler comes with extra storage tanks, you must ensure that your home has enough space for it. Many people choose to keep the storage tank in the loft and the airing cupboard. One of the most significant advantages of a typical boiler is that it warms water, which is subsequently kept in a hot water tank. This keeps the water heated for several hours until it is needed. One of the main disadvantages of this sort of boiler is that you will have to wait while new hot water is heated and the tank is replaced once the hot water that has been stored runs out.

2 factors that influence whether you need a combi boiler installed

When considering a combi upgrade, there are a couple of questions you should ask yourself, to determine whether the investment is justifiable. 

How old is your current central heating system?

The first thing to examine is how old your present central heating system is. If you have very old radiators in your house that need to be changed, there is a risk of leaking and unexpected damage while installing a combi boiler. Also, if you have a storage tank (for example, if you have an open-vented system with a feed and expansion tank in your loft), you must convert it to a'sealed system,' which will put the system under pressure and could cause leaks if you switch to a combi boiler. In this situation, you may want to maintain your heat-only boiler to save the headache.

How many bathrooms do you have in your home? 

If you have a big home with numerous bathrooms, are extending bathrooms, or if you and your family take multiple showers at the same time, even the largest household combi boiler may not be adequate. When several hot water outlets are in use at the same time, such as two showers, the hot water flow rate of even the largest boilers is cut in half. It could be beneficial to look at a system boiler with an unvented hot water cylinder (if the water pressure is good). Even the most powerful combi boilers have limitations. Combi boilers have flow rates ranging from 10 to 25 litres per minute, which is suitable for the vast majority of houses with one or two bathrooms, but any more than this is considered too numerous for a combi to manage. If your house has more than three bathrooms and a system boiler, a high-performance hot water cylinder may be a better alternative.