Which is the Best Boiler for Your Home? [And How to Find Out]

Feeling confused about which might be the best boiler to suit your home?

With so many options out there, you’re not alone. There’s just so many factors you need to take into consideration, that it can seem a bit overwhelming at times!

For instance, you’ve got to think about which is the right size/output for your home, whether you’re happy with your existing set-up, and whether you’re looking for a combi, regular or system boiler. And if this happens at a time when your old boiler has given up the ghost, it can be extremely stressful!

As an experienced engineer, I understand that choosing a new boiler isn’t really at the top of your to-do list – and it’s probably not something that’s even been on your mind until you knew you needed one. We all have busy lifestyles, am I right?

Below, I’m going to do my best to help make your decision a bit easier. And talk you through how to choose a boiler that’s best for your home!

1. Choose a type of boiler

There are a few different boiler types out there to choose from! Maybe you like the idea of having access to instant hot water – in which case a combi is a good bet. Or perhaps you have a large home and want unlimited hot water – in which case a system boiler with unvented cylinder may be your best option.

It may also depend on budget, and which kind of system you have in place right now – as a straightforward swap tends to be more affordable than switching to a different system.

Let’s compare your options, below:

A combi boiler

Let’s start off with the most popular type of boiler on the market right now. I’d say about 90% of the boilers we sell are combis. They can provide instant hot water to your home, with no need for hot and cold water tanks! If you already have a combi, chances are getting a new one will be a relatively straightforward swap.

Pros of a combi boiler

Instant hot water on demand
Super efficient systems
Cheaper than older systems
Less likely to have issues with pressure etc.
Cleaner and safer to use
Easier to service than traditional heat-only boilers

Cons of a combi boiler

It will always prioritise hot water to your taps vs radiators
The flow rate to your taps will be dependent on mains pressure
You may not be able to run more than one shower or bath at a time (not ideal for high hot water demand households)
Without a hot water tank/immersion heater, you will have no hot water if your boiler breaks down

A regular boiler

Now, let’s compare this to what you can expect with a regular boiler. The other names for these include heat-only, open-vent or conventional/traditional boilers. These feed heat directly to your radiators, and they also heat water that is then stored within a separate hot water tank.

The cold water comes from a tank usually located in your attic, above the boiler. This then feeds the hot water tank via what’s known as a ‘gravity feed’. There’s also a separate feed and expansion tank which feeds water to the boiler and radiators.

Pros of a regular boiler

A large hot water tank allows you to easily draw water from several taps at once
It’s suitable for larger homes with a high hot water demand
It works via an old-fashioned heating system – replacing it is relatively straightforward and doesn’t require changing too many pipes

Cons of a regular boiler

It will take up quite a bit more space than other systems
It’s not as efficient as the likes of a combi or system boiler
The pump is located outside of the boiler, along with a feed and expansion tank
It can lose heat, and waste more energy – leading to more expensive fuel bills
Hot water use is limited by the size of your cylinder (and the bigger the cylinder, the more space it takes up!)

Especially if you have a regular boiler already, it could be cheaper for you to do a straightforward swap, rather than switching your system for that of a combi boiler. But it does have its drawbacks, and you might end up paying more in the long-run.

Now, let’s take a look at your next option:

A system boiler

Next on our list, we have a system boiler – which is similar to a regular boiler in the way that it also requires two tanks and will take up extra space.

You’ll get all the stored hot water you need, just like you would with a regular boiler. However, the individual components are all built-in, which removes any need for having a separate feed and expansion tank. However, saying that, you’ll still need a cold water tank and hot water tank. That is, unless you go for the high-pressure unvented cylinder (more about that below).

Before I go any further, let’s look at the pros and cons of a standard system boiler:

Pros of a system boiler

You can draw from several hot water taps at the same time
A separate feed and expansion tank aren’t required
Ideal for larger properties with a high hot water demand
Fewer outer components, allowing for a quicker, neater installation
They come with a pump, which is super fast and far more energy efficient than a regular boiler

Cons of a system boiler

Takes up more space than a combi boiler
Your hot water usage will be limited to the amount of water you can store
It can lose some heat which is left in the hot tank unused – which is less energy efficient than a combi

A system boiler with unvented cylinder

System boilers have a huge benefit. That benefit is that they can be fitted with a high-pressure unvented cylinder that allows you to store and distribute all the hot water you’ll ever need, directly from the mains. Even better, it completely eliminates the need to have a cold water tank. Plus, you’d have all the amazing benefits of a system boiler, without any cons.

This is actually one of the most energy efficient systems you can have. Especially if you opt for a Worcester Bosch Greenstar system boiler, controls, magnetic filter and unvented cylinder. The difference in your energy bills is also a huge plus!

A storage combi

Back to combis again! If you have a large home with a high hot water demand, I wouldn’t write them off just yet. A storage combi might actually be a good solution.

Unfortunately it’s all too common to think that combi boilers just won’t cut it for larger households that use a lot of hot water. However, many households nowadays are able to run a bath and a shower at once using their combis.

But wait – what is this voodoo magic? Well, storage combis are combi boilers which also have a storage capacity. In other words, they have a small heated tank that’s stored with water. So, you can access your hot water as soon as you turn on the tap!

The flow rates are also a huge plus. You can take advantage of hot water to your taps at rates of up to 25 litres per minute, which is mucho impressive. They can typically give off enough of a heat output for a five-bedroom, two-bathroom home.

Pros of a storage combi

Instant hot water that can easily heat a two high pressure showers (or a bath and a shower)
High flow rates – up to 25 litres per minute
Central heating output to radiators of up to 31kW – enough for a five-bedroom, two-bathroom home
Very energy efficient
No cold water tanks in your attic – more space!
No need for a hot water tank or unvented cylinder
No feed and expansion tank
Works out cheaper than a system boiler with unvented cylinder

Cons of a storage combi

Flow rates may suffer if multiple users are using the hot water at once – depending on the amount of power your storage combi supplies
They are usually bigger and bulkier than standard combis
They cost more than an ordinary combi boiler
Engineers will not always have that much experience installing/servicing storage combis

2. Determine your output

In other words, the power that goes to your heating and hot water. This is measured in kilowatts (kW) ; for example, 24kW to your heating, and 30kW to your hot water. It’s important to get this right, because if it’s too low, your home might not get warm enough in the depths of winter. But there’s no point in over-specifying, either!

In many cases, if your home gets sufficiently warm, and you’re doing a straightforward swap, you can usually just go for the same specifications as your current boiler. But if you’re planning, say, an extension or an additional bathroom or en suite in the next couple of years, you might want to size up so that your boiler is futureproofed.

If you’re not sure of the output you need, or you want a second opinion, your chosen heating engineer should be able to help. During a home visit, they can look at your current set-up, listen to your needs and measure your home’s current heat loss. They can also advise based on any plans you have for future projects.

3. Choose your boiler brand

With so many boiler brands out there to choose from, this next part isn’t easy!

However, here are some of the best boiler brands currently available on the market. And here are some that engineers rate the highest! It’s a tough decision – especially with brands like Baxi and Ideal starting to claim back some market share with some fantastic deals.

The brand you choose really depends on what you value the most from your boiler. You could easily save a few hundred pounds and still get a 10-year guarantee with a Baxi or Ideal boiler. Or, you could opt for the current market leader and Which? Best Buy, Worcester Bosch – with the knowledge that your boiler could last a few years longer. (Saving you money in the long-run)

If you’re unsure of which brand you’d prefer – and maybe you’ve had a bad experience with your currently boiler – I’d recommend doing your homework online first. You probably want to go for a British or German-make (rather than Italian), with a nice, long guarantee.

Advice from an experienced engineer

Many of our customers quite rightly read a lot online, or ask family and friends for advice. However, some of it may be misguided or out-of-date. So, it’s always good to get independent advice about what is available, such as a combi, system or regular boiler.

I’ve visited a client before who was adamant they didn’t want a combi boiler. However, upon visiting their flat and seeing they only had an electric shower, kitchen sink and shower room basin dependent on hot water, the combi seemed the best option.

When I explained they would lose the tank, gain more cupboard space and have instant hot water, they thought they would have to replace the shower. However, I explained that they could keep the shower, as it’d work just as it did before. Their other concern was if something was wrong with the boiler, they’d have no hot water; keeping the electric shower solved this problem

Unsure of which boiler is best for your home? A good, reputable engineer should be able to help you out. By booking a home visit, they will be able to take a look at your current central heating set-up, and provide you with free, impartial advice. They should also be happy to answer any questions you may have.

I’d also recommend getting 2 – 3 fixed price quotes. This ensures that they’re all recommending similar solutions at similar prices – and that not only aren’t you getting ripped off, but you’re also getting the best possible outcome in terms of choosing the right boiler for your home.

Conclusion

I hope you’ve found this in-depth blog helpful when it comes to choosing the best boiler for your home. With so many factors to consider, and so many options, it can feel a bit overwhelming. However, I hope I’ve gone some way to shedding some light on the subject.

Do you have any specific questions about choosing the best boiler for your home? Let me know in the comments’ section. I promise to reply!