Having a new boiler installed can be a daunting task as you try and decide which system is best for you. There are a number of different options available and the one that is best for you will depend on a number of different factors. A Boiler Installation Gloucester company such as https://redbridgeandsons.co.uk/heating-systems-gloucestershire/boiler-installation-gloucester/ wil be able to advise you on which system is best for you based on the location of your boiler and the heating needs of your home along with the size of the property.
Here are some of the options for you to discuss with your chosen heating engineer.
Combi Boilers
These are probably the most popular option for those looking to change or upgrade their system. One of the main reasons that they are so popular is due to the fact that they provide heating to the home or office as well as hot water without the need for water tanks and cylinders which then take up a lot of space elsewhere in your home. As a result of this it means that you can have unlimited hot water whenever you need it and the systems themselves also tend to be smaller so they are great if you are looking to have your boiler installed in a small area. You can find combi boilers in both gas and electric forms depending on which is best for you.
System Boilers
These are sometimes also known as sealed system boilers and they require the use of a water cylinder which will usually be located elsewhere in your property. A popular place is an airing cupboard on a landing. There is however no need for a water tank. Which again makes them perfect for those with no loft space or a smaller property as well as those that do not wish to have a water tank in their home. Hot water isn’t always instant in these systems but you can recieve hot water out of a number of different taps at the same time. The hot water supply isn’t infinite either and if you run out of hot water in the cylinder you will need to wait until the water has reheated.
Regular Boilers – these are the systems that have both a water cylinder and a water tank and tend to be used less and less. Hot water can be provide to a number of taps at the same time but again the supply can run ut and you will need to wait for the system to reheat the water and you will also need to find a location for both the cylinder and the tank elsewhere in your property.
Things to weigh up when replacing a boiler
Before choosing a new boiler, establish what you have now. Most homes have a high-pressure system with a separate hot water cylinder, a gravity-fed system with a tank in the loft, or a combination boiler. If you are not sure, a registered engineer can tell you.
If you have a combi and are happy with it, swapping like for like is usually straightforward, or you can choose a more powerful model for higher output. Gravity-fed systems are less popular as replacements because they need a loft tank, but if you want to keep that set-up you will need a system or heat-only boiler. Modern boilers are condensing models, which are more efficient but need a drain to the outside. That may mean moving the boiler, and the drain pipe must be insulated so it cannot freeze.
If you are replacing a hot water cylinder, solar panels can supply much of your summer hot water, with a top-up needed in winter. Some parts, such as supply pipes or flues, may also need replacing. Ask an engineer for a survey and compare options and costs.
Vented or unvented hot water cylinders
If your chosen boiler works with a hot water cylinder, you will also need to decide between a vented and an unvented one. A cylinder is described as direct when an electric immersion heater warms the water inside it, and indirect when water is heated by a coil carrying hot water from the boiler. Some homes use both.
Vented cylinders were long the standard in UK homes. A vent pipe opens the cylinder to atmospheric pressure, and it is fed from a cold water storage tank, usually in the loft, which is itself supplied from the mains. These systems are simpler and cheaper to install and maintain, but the storage tank takes up space.
Unvented cylinders are fed directly from the mains, so water flows at higher pressure and no cold water tank is needed. They are built to cope with expansion and pressure and provide a steady supply of hot water. The downside is that they need specialist installation, which costs more than fitting a vented system. The right choice depends on your space, budget and how you use hot water.
