Thinking of having a new boiler upgrade can be a complex and expensive decision, with a range of different boiler companies and installers available. Making sure that you take the time to explore all of the options available to you for what you’re looking for and comparing costs is key to making sure you find the right boiler for you.
Budget
Setting out your new boiler cost budget before you begin doing anything else is the most important thing that you can do. Boiler pricing can vary and depend on a variety of factors such as:
- Boiler size
- Boiler type
- Boiler brand
It is important to remember that boiler costs usually don’t include installation costs. Each heating engineer will normally charge a different price for installation so getting quotes from a few different heating engineers is a great way to save a little bit of money.
Research
Research is a vital part of deciding which new boiler is best for your home. There are several factors that you need to take into account during your research:
- What type of boiler is going to be best for your home
- What boiler brands are available
- What installers are in your area and are they Gas Safe registered
Taking these 3 factors into account during your research into a new boiler is a great way to narrow down your options and see what’s available to you.
Types of boilers
There are 3 main types of boilers and each of these has their own pros and cons, which I’ll go through briefly however doing your own extensive research is always going to be better.
Combi Boiler
A combi boiler heats water directly from the mains as and when it is needed. This means that there is no need for a hot water storage cylinder, which is great if you’re a little short on space for your new boiler.
Pros
Combis are faster and cheaper to install than a system boiler, meaning that if you’re in a pinch and if a new boiler is needed, a combi boiler may be for you. Combi boilers are highly efficient when you compare them to older boilers and it has been shown that you could save up to £300 a year on your heating bills, which seems like a great saving to me.
Cons
Despite great savings on both money and space, there are some downsides to a combi boiler. There is limited use on a combi boiler as it is only possible to run one shower or bath at a time with a combi boiler, which could be a huge disadvantage if you’re living with a large family. A combi boiler also depends on mains pressure meaning that if your area has poor mains pressure a combi would be the wrong choice.
System boiler
A system boiler is different from a combi boiler as water is stored in a water tank so several outlets can be powered at once.
Pros
If you have a larger household a system boiler is ideal as the water is stored in a tank and ready to use. This also means that hot water is instantaneous as it is stored in the tank.
Cons
If you’re constantly using hot water it will run out as the tank empties. If you’re limited on space then a system boiler is not a good idea as it relies on a water tank to store hot water, which can take up a large amount of space.
Regular boiler
A regular boiler requires both hot water and cold water storage tanks. The cold water is then heated and stored in the hot water tank to be used.
Pros
Just as with a system boiler because the water is stored in a tank then multiple people can use the hot water at once. They also don’t rely on water pressure like a combi boiler so they will still work well if your area has low water pressure.
Cons
Regular boilers require a lot of space as a tank for both hot and cold water is needed. Just like with a system boiler hot water can run out as the tank empties and it can take a while to fill back up.
Boiler brands
Just like with most products, there is a range of brands that produce boilers. Each brand can offer something a little different from the next and may vary in price. Below you’ll find a list of some of the top boiler brands in the UK so that you can get started looking at the boilers that they produce:
- Vaillant Boilers
- Worcester Bosch
- Ideal Boilers
- Baxi Boiler
- Potterton
These brands are the top five in the UK at the moment (in no particular order). As I said, there is a whole range of boiler brands out there and you should definitely do your research before opting for a brand.
Boiler installers
Finally, after deciding the type of boiler and brand, it’s time to decide on an installer. The main rule to follow when finding an installer is that they’re Gas Safe registered as this is required by UK law and means that all gas work that is conducted by the engineer is safe. As each gas engineer will charge a different price for installation it is best to go to a range of gas engineers in your local area for a quote. Then you can select the one you believe is the best value for money for the quality of work they have previously provided.
I have a 4 bed detached barn conversion in the countryside – I have called https://www.boilercentral.com/ & I’m going for a new Worcester Bosch Combi – do you feel this is the best as I see you’ve said “If you have a larger household a system boiler is ideal as the water is stored in a tank and ready to use. This also means that hot water is instantaneous as it is stored in the tank.”
Thanks
Ben