Print this page

Which Gas Boiler Is Best For Me? Pros and Cons.

Written by Posted On Friday, 30 August 2019 00:28

Whether you’re a new homeowner with no experience, or someone looking to replace their old boiler, it can be a difficult decision to decide what boiler is best for your home. There is a great deal of confusion with homeowners and landlords when it comes to boilers, so we’ve tried to cover the basics - so you can make a carefree, informed decision.


Why is it essential I choose the right boiler?

When it comes to mechanicals in your home, your boiler is like the beating heart- everything revolves around it. Which also means it’s responsible for a considerable chunk of your energy bills, approximately 60% to give you the facts. If you don’t get it correct the first time, you could be wasting money for the next 15 years on something that isn’t right for you. The advantages of having a boiler specially tailored to your home are endless, but include:

The money you will save

Boilers aren’t cheap, we all know that. Therefore, you should consider them as an investment in your home life. It’s logic to understand that the more you pay for a boiler, the higher the quality of heating and lifespan you’ll obtain. However, it could also mean you’ll end up saving more money in the longterm because excellent boiler efficiency means lower energy bills.

The overall quality of your home life

If you live in the UK, you know how cold it can get in the winter months. Which is why you should always check that your boiler is in tip-top shape at the end of summer to save struggles in the colder months. Whether this is an annual service, boiler replacement or boiler repair, the quality of heating in your home will ultimately rely on the type of boiler you own and how well you look after it. Different types of boilers will give you varying efficiencies and heating qualities depending on the number of rooms in your home and the size.

What options do I have?

Before you make a big decision, according to UK law, any of the below options for boilers must be a condensing one. Essentially, they help to increase the efficiency of the boiler and bring it up to over 90%- which makes for a very eco-friendly home heating solution. Once you know that, you can choose a boiler to your liking, such as:

1. Combi Boilers

These are arguably the most popular boiler, especially in new homes. Combi boilers are a compact system that can be placed in your without a water tank or cylinder, so immediately saving space (especially handy in smaller homes). You can directly heat water from the mains, and therefore you can quickly get unlimited hot water whenever you need in a highly efficient, cost-effective way. It is essentially a 2 in 1 water heater and central heating, which is always on standby to heat your home and your water.

PROS:

- No waiting time for hot water or central heating
- Cost-effective
- Compact and will save space in your home
- Can provide powerful showers
- Less pipework, so easier to maintain

CONS:

- More risk of losing water pressure
- Not ideal for large homes
- You cannot use simultaneously

2. Conventional Boiler

Also known as, ‘heat only’, ‘traditional’ or ‘regular’, these are the standard boilers that you can find mostly in older homes- so maybe a familiar face to you during your boiler hunt. They are made up from a cylinder and water storage tank that will reside in your attic or loft- so will take up a considerable amount of space. Also, you can use them in conjunction with solar heating, which is a more eco-friendly approach to heating your home and reduce your energy bills. Conventional boilers may be considered old news, it could still be a great option if you own a large house and you need extra energy.

PROS:

- Can supply water to more than one tap at a time
- Compatible with solar to save on energy bills and reduce your eco-footprint
- Ideal for larger homes

CONS:

- Not compact and will take up space in your loft or attic
- Hot water is not on demand and needs turning on well before use
- Upfront cost and installation can be more expensive

3. System Boilers

Similar to a conventional boiler, a system boiler heats up almost instantly by producing hot water from a storage cylinder. They are perfect for medium-sized homes with more than one bathroom because they don’t require a tank so you can save on space but still get the production you require. You can get large quantities of water, but without the need for more room in your home to fit the water tank. Another similarity is the ability to use alongside solar, so just like a conventional boiler, you can save on energy costs.

PROS:

- Cheaper in the longterm
- Requires less space but still the same production rate as a conventional boiler
- Constant hot water supply
- Energy-efficient when used alongside solar

CONS:

- Waiting time for water to reheat
- Takes up space for the large cylinder

If you’re still struggling to figure out which boiler is right for you, at Boxt, they provide a handy, quick and easy tool to help you choose the right boiler.

Rate this item
(0 votes)
Emma Moore

I'm a real estate agent and write to share my experience and knowledge of the real estate industry from the past few years. My aim is to help the homeowners with my knowledge. I hope that my write-ups will help people to manage their properties with ease.

Latest from Emma Moore

Joomla! Debug Console

Session

Profile Information

Memory Usage

Database Queries