the three types of boiler
combination or 'combi' boilers
This is the most popular type of boiler in the UK, now found in around 70% of homes.
Combi boliers provide central heating and hot water without the need for a separate tank to store water; hence you can easily tuck them away under the stairs or in kitchen cabinets.
most suited to:
Homes with one bathroom, households with single people, couples, families with one child
Usually available in following outputs: kw 24 30 35
benefits:
- Instant, unlimited domestic hot water
- Compact, easy to fit if space is limited
disadvantages:
- Unable to run multiple showers or baths at the same time
- Lower flow rate for hot water than an open vent or system boiler
system boilers
A system boiler (sometimes known as a 'sealed system') provides central heating and hot water via a storage cylinder housed in an airing cupboard - no need for water tanks in the loft, as with an open vent boiler.
most suited to:
Larger homes with multiple bathrooms/ensuites; families
Usually available in following outputs: kw 12 15 18 24 30 38
See system boilers within our range
benefits:
- High flow rate for domestic hot water
- No tank(s) in your loft
- More than one hot tap / shower can easily operate at same time
disadvantages:
- Hot water is not instant.
- Once the water in the storage cylinder runs out you have to wait for it to reheat.
- You'll need to find space for the cylinder (usually an airing cupboard)
open vent boilers
Open vent boilers are a peculiarly British invention. An open vent (sometimes known as heating only) provide central heating and hot water via a boiler, a storage cylinder housed in the airing cupboard and water tanks in your loft. If you're looking to do a full system overhaul most people opt to remove the tanks from the loft and turn their open vent system into a sealed system.
most suited to:
Larger homes with an existing open vent boiler
Usually available in following outputs: kw 12 15 18 24 30 38
See open vent boiler within our range
benefits:
- High flow rate for domestic hot water
- More than one hot tap / shower can easily operate at same time
disadvantages:
- Once the water in the storage cylinder runs out you have to wait for it to reheat.
- You'll need to find space for the cylinder (usually an airing cupboard)
- The bulk feed and expansion tanks are usually sited in the loft - this can create a problem if you're considering a loft conversion.
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