Many older British homes have back boilers, mainly those built between the ‘60s and ‘80s. These older systems require a lot of maintenance, and while they’re generally reliable, you will eventually need to replace it. The question is whether or not you should go with a new back boiler or upgrade to a newer design like a combi boiler.
In the back boiler versus combi boiler debates, there are many factors you need to consider aside from cost, and you should also know the strengths and limitations of each boiler type so you can make the right decision. Let’s look at a few facts about combi and back boilers to help you make your choice.
Energy Efficiency
You should never buy a boiler based on the equipment cost alone. It’s also important that you consider the total cost of ownership, including energy costs. In the back boilers versus combi boilers debate, combi boilers win hands down.
A back boiler maxes out at just below 80% efficiency. Modern combi boilers can approach 100%, which makes them the most efficient types of boilers on the market. This is why replacing a back boiler with combi boilers can pay off in a few years through reduced energy costs, especially if you rely on a hot water system to heat your home and deliver hot water.
Installation
A new boiler installation may be the best choice if you’re facing a series of costly emergency repairs as the unit approaches its end. However, the current system design affects which boilers are a direct replacement or the changes you may need to make to your home to make a new boiler work.
Follow these installation tips by Boiler Central to make that process as smooth as possible. They run down the basics of boiler installation and what you should avoid when installing one. They also explain what type of boilers work better for certain applications and the limitations of different types of boilers.
For example, you may not be able to use modern dishwashers or washing machines with high water pressure from traditional back boilers. Furthermore, you may not want to replace the existing boiler with a small, simple tankless hot water heater if it can’t provide hot water to more than one room of the house.
Combi boilers are a good choice for replacing back boilers since they require less space and are easy to install. However, they will not be able to heat massive amounts of water as a back boiler could. In this case, something like a system boiler could be a happy compromise.
To find a boiler expert near you, try searching on sites like Trust a Trader or do a simple Google search such as boiler installation Manchester to see who is available nearby. You’ll want to contact 2-3 to ask for a quote rather than going with the first company who responds and, where possible, ask friends and neighbours for recommendations.
Space
Combination boilers combine the central heating boiler with a water heater in a single compact unit. This eliminates the separate hot and cold-water tanks in back boilers. It may free up your home space or eliminate the need to vent fumes through the fireplace.
Combi boilers are a good choice for small homes or flats, too. Switching to a combi boiler could free up space in your water cupboard or current utility room. Many people also choose to go for a combi boiler for their country houses as they usually have less space to work with.
Hot Water Supply versus Demand
The greatest drawback of combi boilers is their ability to provide hot water for simultaneous use. Traditional boilers fire up twice a day, heating the water whether you need it or not. While this has the disadvantage of not being energy efficient, it also means that you have a reserve of hot water that can be delivered to multiple taps in the home.
However, combi boilers may not be able to meet your needs if you have two people taking hot showers at the same time. A system boiler may be a better choice in that case. However, combi boilers can meet modest, intermittent demand for hot water.
You should also know that having a tank is not always a benefit regarding the water supply. Having a tank also means that your hot water can run out. On the other hand, a combi boiler can do a better job of meeting demand if you’re constantly using hot water throughout the day for showers, laundry, and dishes, but do each separately. As a traditional boiler only fires up twice a day, you’ll have to wait for hot water if you use the current supply. Also, there’s the possibility of installing more than one combi boiler to deal with the simultaneous use issue.
Combi boilers are probably the best choice if you are looking to replace a back boiler. However, you need to consider various factors to select the best boiler for your household’s needs.
