When looking at boilers, it’s easy to get confused. Boilers are an expensive purchase. You must get the right one through your home. Getting the wrong type or size can result in inadequate hot water and heating or wasted energy (and wasted money)

For this reason, you should always have the survey and free quote done by a qualified boiler installer who can guide you on the best boiler for your home.

To help you understand better, we’ll go through the different types of boiler available.

The One Thing All Boilers Have In Common

Before we go into the differences between boilers, we’ll start with the one thing boilers all have in common.

All Boilers Are Condensing Boilers

All boilers fitted in domestic properties these days are condensing boilers, a requirement by UK law (non-condensing gas boilers are only allowed in exceptional circumstances). Condensing boilers are the most efficient of boilers. They run at between 90 and 99% efficiency.

Old non-condensing boilers waste between 30-50% of fuel, meaning they’re only running at 50-70% efficiency. A condensing boiler catches flue gases which are reused to preheat water as it flows into the boiler.

This process creates condensation (this is how the condensing boiler got its name). Condensation is expelled through a condensate pipe that runs outside.

The recycling process is the reason why condensing boilers are so efficient. Installing a new condensing boiler will save you money on your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint.

System Boilers

The system boiler heats your central heating system and water. Hot water’s stored in a cylinder, so you have a good supply of hot water on tap at times you require (set by your controls)

System boilers use an unvented pressurised cylinder which doesn’t require feed and expansion tanks in the loft and offers superior water pressure when compared to your mains supply.

The cylinder can be used as an immersion heater also. If you suffer a boiler failure, switch the immersion on, and you have hot water still.

Combi boilers don’t offer this luxury. You’ll have to wait until the boilers fixed.

System boilers are more efficient and easier to fit than traditional regular boilers. Many of the external components required for a traditional central heating system are included within the system boiler.

System boilers are an excellent choice for medium to large family homes with more than one bathroom and the space available to house the pressurised cylinder.

System Boiler Disadvantages

• Cupboard space is required for the pressurised cylinder
• Waters not instant. If you use all the hot water, you’ll have to wait for the new water in the cylinder to reheat
• Cylinders suffer from heat loss (insulate with a jacket to minimise heat loss)
• More expensive to fit than combi boilers

Boiler Sizes, Output & Flow Rate

Combination, System and Regular boilers are available in different sizes.

Boiler size determines the output and flow rate, the boilers capacity to supply the radiators and hot water around the home.

Boiler size is an important factor.

• Too small, it won’t be powerful to meet your heating/hot water  demands enough
• Too large and you’ll waste energy and money

Boilers are available in three sizes

• 24-27 kW for small homes with up to 10 radiators
• 28-32 kW for medium homes with up to 15 radiators
• 35-42 kW for the largest of households with over 15 radiators

Who Makes Boilers?

Many different companies make boilers. Popular Boilers are Baxi, Vaillant, glow-worm, Potterton and Worcester Bosch ( we are Worcester Bosch accredited installers).

We install most makes of boiler in properties in Southend and the surrounding areas. These include