How to choose your new boiler
How to choose your new boiler
When it comes time to replace your boiler, it’s rarely a smooth process. Most of us wait until our boiler starts to fail after a few boiler repairs until it is no longer fit for purpose, this then creates a mad rush to select a boiler type and a stressful time trying to find the right installer.
At LM Plumbers Worcester we try to make the process as pain-free as possible by providing advice on the right boiler for your home, 0% interest-free credit financing options, and speedy expert installation. In this guide, we have put together a guide of best practices to help you make the tough decisions a bit easier. You can check our boiler replacement services on our website here.
What type of boiler are you replacing?
The first thing that you need to know is the type of boiler that has been in place. You will likely find that you have either:
1. conventional boiler with 2 separate water tanks
2. combination boiler that provides hot water on demand
3. sealed boiler. Apessurised system ideal for areas of low water pressure.
f you struggle to work out what system you have then here are a couple of things to help you. If your hot water can be used on-demand and you have no cylinder in the loft or airing cupboard for example you will most certainly have a combi boiler. Combi boilers have become more popular over recent years due to their ability to generate hot water immediately and due to the space-saving created by the lack of a water tank.
If you have a water cylinder in the loft then you will likely have a gravity-fed system. If you need assistance with this our engineers can come and check your current system and offer you advice on whether it is the best system for your needs.
What to do next
Now you know the system you have, the question is what do you install next. As written above this is something that we can help you with however you should always take a look at the market yourself and consider how happy you were with your old system and what you will require of your new system. Below we cover the main differences of each boiler type and the type of home that they suit best.
Benefits and reasons for a combination boiler.
One of the biggest benefits of a combi boiler is their ability to provide hot water on demand with no need for a separate water tank, this frees up space in your home.
If you live in a smaller property and your hot water demands are moderate then the combi boiler maybe your best option. The combi boiler is also more economical and tends to produce less wasted energy resulting in low energy costs which is something that we are all looking for!
The main problem with a combi boiler is that they may not provide enough hot water for your needs if you live in a larger home with more than 2-3 bathrooms or if you are in an area with low water pressure.
A good resource to check when looking at combi boilers is Heatable’s top choices for this type of boiler. They regularly assess the best boilers on the market and give fair unbiased recommendations. You can see the top picks for 2021 here.
What about a conventional boiler?
This type of boiler also known as a heat-only system takes up more space in the home as it requires 2 separate hot water tanks, one for hot water and one for cold water. Generally people opt for this type of boiler if their hot water demands are high and they need hot water in many places throughout the property and one time.
This type of boiler is more expensive both to buy and to install as there are more parts to fit. Another downside is that you have to wait for the hot water tank to heat up before you jump in the shower in the morning, unlike a combi boiler that produces hot water instantly.
Is a sealed boiler right for me?
Again as with a heat-only boiler, the sealed boiler will require more space than a combi as it utilises a separate hot water tank, but just one as they don’t have a cold water tank. As these boilers are pressurised they are a good option if you live in an area of low water pressure. A negative of this type of boiler is cost, they tend to be on the more expensive site.
What boiler brand should you choose?
The decision on which boiler brand to go with will depend on the exact system you require for your property. We advise sticking with the main household boiler brands such as Vaillant, Worcester Bosch, and ideal. As ideal MAX accredited installers we can offer the longest warranties of up to 12 years on selected boilers.
Heatable is a great resource for providing information on the leading boilers being manufactured, here is their list of the best boilers for 2021.
How to find the right installer
When looking to get your boiler replaced it is important to make sure that you also get top quality and value when it comes to the installation team. You can view information on our installation process and also watch a short animated explainer video on our website via this link.
Important Links
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9 Seymour Av, Worcester WR3 7LT
01905 412889
admin@lmplumbersworcester.co.uk