Installing a new boiler is a major investment, so it’s important to make the right choice. There are different fuels to consider and different types of boiler configuration. Your choice will depend on the location of your property and the size of it, as well as the size and needs of your family.
Fuel choice
For most people, the default choice of boiler will be one fired by mains gas. It’s the cheapest per-unit form of domestic fuel and most parts of the country have a mains supply. However, there are – especially in more rural areas – properties that are not connected to the gas grid.
In these locations, the choice will be between oil and LPG. An LPG boiler is more similar to a mains gas type, but with both LPG and oil you need to have fuel delivered. This means finding a location on the property for a storage tank and making sure to arrange deliveries so you don’t run out, especially in winter.
Boiler types
Once you’ve decided on the fuel to use there then comes the choice of the boiler itself. All new installations now have to be condensing boilers – which means that they recover heat that would otherwise be wasted via the flue. Condensing boilers are more efficient than older types so you’ll save money on your fuel bills.
But as a Gloucester boiler repair specialist like http://www.hprservicesltd.com/gloucester-boilers/boiler-repair-gloucester/ will tell you, all condensing boilers are not the same.
The most common type is the ‘combi’ – short for combination – boiler. With this type, hot water is produced on demand. Upsides of this are there’s no need for a hot water cylinder and no need for a cold water header tank in the loft so you save space. Downsides are that you have to wait for the water to run hot after you turn on the tap, also combis are not suited to properties where there may be multiple demands for hot water at the same time.
If you have a large family, or more than one bathroom, you are likely to be better off with a ‘system’ boiler. These have a cylinder to store hot water so it’s always available when you need it. The downside, of course, is that this takes up valuable space.
