What are the pros and cons of a combi boiler?
What are the pros and cons of combi boilers? Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of getting a combi boiler installed into your home: Pros: Space saving – no additional tanks or cylinders are required; On-demand hot water – No need to wait for water to be heated up
Which combi boiler should I buy?
#1 Worcester Bosch Combi Boilers (Best boilers)
- Which? Best Buy Award for 10-years running
- 10-year guarantee ( when purchased via Heatable)
- Availability of parts is second to none
- Excellent customer reviews and aftercare
How much does a combi boiler cost?
A new combi boiler costs $1,700 to $3,500 for the unit alone. These small, wall-mounted units are ideal for apartments and small houses. A combination boiler provides tankless home heating and hot water on demand. Combi boilers have more connections, piping, parts, and often wall-mounting with special vents, making it more complex and expensive to install.
What boiler is best?
Best Boiler Makes/Manufacturers – What we considered: Best Boiler Makes Ranked. #1 Baxi Boilers (Best Boiler Manufacturer) #2 Worcester Bosch boilers (2nd Best Boiler Manufacturer) #3 Viessmann boilers (3rd Best Boiler Make) #4 Alpha Boilers (4th Best Boiler Manufacturer) #5 Ideal boilers (5th Best Boiler Make) #6 Vaillant Boilers (6th Best ...
Can you turn a combi boiler into a system boiler?
The good news is, it's actually pretty straightforward to switch to a system boiler with unvented cylinder, as it should be able to go in the same space as your old combi.
Can a regular boiler be used as a system boiler?
There are, however, some fundamental differences. A system boiler is a sealed system that only requires a boiler and a cylinder, whilst a regular boiler may require a header tanks in the loft to feed the hot water cylinder and to maintain the water level in the radiators.
Is a system boiler the same as a combi boiler?
System boilers are completely different to combi boilers as they are not connected to the cold mains. A coil in the cylinder carries the central heating water at high temperature through the cylinder, heating it's contents, allowing the now heated water to be transferred to multiple taps and showers at once.
Can a combi boiler be used for central heating?
A combi boiler is a type of boiler that can both provide hot water and central heating in the same system.
Is a combi boiler cheaper to run than a system boiler?
Potentially a combi boiler may be cheaper to run, but the real deciding factor is your water consumption. A combi boiler is more energy-efficient, but if you are using a lot of hot water consistently, it may not be as cost-effective.
Which is best combi or system boiler?
If we compare a system boiler vs combi boiler running costs, then it is likely that a combi boiler will be more efficient and so offer some savings. There is also another option, the conventional boiler which is becoming less common but still has it's place in large homes with low water pressure.
Should I replace my water tank with a combi boiler?
If you have recently purchased a new house, your current boiler has failed, or your boiler is more than 12 years old, you should consider replacing it with a combi boiler. Combi boilers are wonderful because they give both space heating and water on demand, eliminating the need for a hot water tank.
Can you have a hot water tank with a combi boiler?
Combi boilers heat water directly from the mains when you turn on a tap, so you won't need a hot water storage cylinder or a cold water storage tank in the roof space. They are also very cost-effective and energy-efficient as water is heated instantly rather than being heated and then stored in a cylinder.
Can combi boilers heat water and radiators at the same time?
The combi can't power both the central heating and the hot water at the same time – you don't want that scuzzy, recycled radiator water getting into your household taps. So, a valve shuts down the pipe to the radiators temporarily when you run the hot tap.
Can I turn my water off if I have a combi boiler?
If you have a combi boiler then the hot water is supplied direct, so by closing the mains stop valve it will shut off the water.
Can I leave my combi boiler on continuously?
Luckily, you can keep your boiler on all day and keep it plugged in and on standby for when you turn on your heating. However, having your heating on all day will cause your energy bills to increase exponentially.
How do radiators work with a combi boiler?
The primary heat exchanger heats the water that goes into the radiators. That's how a combi boiler works to heat your house. This water travels through the radiators and recycles back into the boiler. And the boiler keeps firing to reheat that water and keep it at around 60 degrees celsius.
Is a system boiler more expensive than a regular boiler?
System boilers are more complicated since they include some of the components required in an unvented system. This means that they are more expensive than regular boilers, and they will also take up more space when they are installed.
Can you fit a new boiler to a one pipe system?
2 Answers from MyBuilder Heating Engineers A one pipe system is ok for a combi boiler although it does have pitfalls. The last radiator in the loop will generally be cooler than the rest as the heat has sufficiently cooled throughout the run.
Do I have a system or regular boiler?
You can usually tell if you have a regular boiler by taking a quick look at it. Normally, there will be two copper pipes coming from the top of the boiler and just one coming from the bottom. Regular boilers also have hot water cylinders and a cold water storage tank which can usually be found in the loft.
Does a system boiler need a cold water tank?
No cold feed water tank is required With a system boiler, you don't need a feed and expansion tank or a cold water feed tank. This can save a lot of space and also means that you can install a system boiler even if you don't have a loft. This makes it a suitable and efficient option for apartment buildings.
What is a combi boiler?
Combi boilers are the most modern boiler type. They take up the least amount of space too.
Why get a combi?
From reducing the carbon footprint of your home to saving space around your home, when compared to other boiler types, there are many benefits you'll be able to enjoy when installing a combi boiler.
Where does a boiler store hot water?
Rather than supplying instant hot water, like a combi boiler, system boilers store the hot water in a cylinder or tank, ready to travel to the taps when you need hot water.
What are the pros and cons of a system boiler?
System Boiler Pros. How You'll Benefit. Simpler installation than conventional boilers. As system boilers don't need as many external parts as conventional boilers, they won't take as long to install, helping to save you time and money. Mains water pressure.
How long does it take to install a hot water cylinder?
Your installer will take out the cylinder and convert the pipework so that the hot water can get straight to the taps. This will take up to 2 days to finish.
What happens if a water cylinder isn't insulated?
If the cylinder isn’t well insulated then the water will cool down quickly. And this means more energy will be needed to heat it back up again – driving your heating bills up. So keep insulation in mind.
How long does it take to replace a boiler?
Especially if you're planning to have the system boiler installed in the same place. Swapping the boiler can be done in a day but you’ll also need a cylinder and new pipework.
How many radiators are needed for a combination boiler?
6 radiators,the existing combination boiler may be range rated down to accommodate the heating load or it has been left on full fire for a more instant heat up.
Do you need hot water in a WC?
Hot water is not needed. There is one WC in the building and the hot water to that basin is supplied via an electric heater.
Can you put a tap under a combi boiler?
If going down the combi route you could always fit a tap under the boiler.
Can an Intergas combi boiler be fitted without hot water?
Intergas combis can be fitted without the hot water connected (but they're more expensive than the system boiler).
How efficient are combi boilers?
Combi boilers are designed to be highly efficient and only units with a high efficiency rating of 92% can now be installed in the UK.
How does a combi boiler work?
Combi boilers have become a popular choice for homeowners across the UK and are now the boiler of choice in new build installations. Mainly thanks to their high levels of efficiency and small size.
What temperature should a combi boiler be?
The best setting for combi boilers is often recommended as 75°C for central heating and 60°C for domestic hot water. Turning down the temperature of the domestic hot water is particularly helpful as it can greatly reduce any risk of scalding.
What is a condensing boiler?
Condensing boilers have a Flue Gas Heat Recovery System, not found in non-condensing units, which captures heat from waste gases to preheat cold water from the mains as it enters the boiler. In non-condensing units, this heat from waste gases would be lost, so by making the most of this heat, condensing units use less energy, ...
How long does it take for a combi boiler to heat water?
Combi boilers heat water on demand as and when needed. This means that when you turn the hot water tap on, it can take up to 20 seconds for you to actually get hot water. A useful tip to remember when it comes to filling a sink is to put the plug in and catch the cold water as well as the hot water that follows, so that the water is at a comfortable temperature when the sink is full.
What is the best way to keep a boiler warm?
Insulation, whether in the form of double glazing, cavity wall insulation, floor insulation or loft insulation prevents heat from escaping to keep your home warmer for longer.
How to keep a boiler warm?
Insulation, whether in the form of double glazing, cavity wall insulation, floor insulation or loft insulation prevents heat from escaping to keep your home warmer for longer.
What are the problems with switching from a combi boiler to a system boiler?
The two main complications are: 1. You have stone floors which cannot be disturbed. If you have flooring which cannot be disturbed, such as polished stone or wooden flooring, it can be particularly difficult to feed ...
How long does it take to remove a combi boiler?
Firstly, the combi boiler has to be removed, and the system boiler fitted in the same location – this switch can take up to one day. Then, the unvented cylinder has to be fitted in a cupboard or attic space.
What is the benefit of an unvented boiler?
One of the major benefits of installing a system boiler with unvented cylinder is that you’ll have 24-hour access to a high pressure system, and all the heating and hot water your large property will ever need .
Can a cold water main be replaced?
This means the flow rate from the unvented cylinder may suffer as a result, or alternatively the cold water mains pipe may need to be replaced so that a larger pipe can be fitted. This may involve excavating your driveway or garden to install the new pipe.
Can you feed a safety discharge pipe through a house?
If you have flooring which cannot be disturbed, such as polished stone or wooden flooring, it can be particularly difficult to feed the safety discharge pipe through to the outside of the house – a safety requirement for unvented cylinders.
Can you use an unvented cylinder in a boiler?
The good news is, it’s actually pretty straightforward to switch to a system boiler with unvented cylinder, as it should be able to go in the same space as your old combi. The only thing you really need to make sure of is that you have a cupboard or attic space for your unvented cylinder, as it will require additional space.
Can I change my boiler flow rate?
If your old combi boiler simply isn’t up to the job of supplying your large property with hot water, and your flow rates are suffering as a result , it could be time to make a change. A system boiler with unvented cylinder guarantees fantastic flow rates and all the heating and hot water your family will ever need – and it’s fairly simple to switch.
Where can I install Navien combi boilers?
Installations in or near media rooms, recreation rooms or any living areas of the house are possible with the quiet running Navien combi-boilers.
What is Navien combi boiler?
Navien residential combi-boilers provide endless hot water on demand, as well as whole house heating for small and large homes
How efficient are combi boilers?
In most of the cases, combi boilers are proven to be highly efficient as compared with the conventional units. Condensing technologies can probably increase the efficiency rating of the modern combi boilers over 90%. Flagship models from the top UK boiler brands are found to be 92% to 94% efficient.
Why do combi boilers work?
There are two main reasons behind the combi boilers great and powerful efficiency i.e. these units have high operating efficiency and low internal water volume. This means when in summer days you don’t need space heating you are only paying to heat water which is domestically required.
How does a boiler work?
The boilers are designed to operate using the water directly from the main supply that results in stronger water pressure and ensures that you would never be lacking on hot water again . The modern highly efficient units come, being a stainless steel condensing boiler with an inbuilt heat exchanger that operates in order to serve the customers with hot water immediately.
What is a combination boiler?
Unlike the system and conventional units, the combination boilers are designed to be an all in one unit which produces hot water for taps and central heating in order to cut down the use of storage tanks or cylinders, thus occupying the least space required to house the boiler.
What to do if you switch from open vent to combi?
If you’re switching from Open Vent to Combi, remove cylinders and attic tanks.
Can you convert a boiler into a combi?
If you are willing a convert your system boiler into a combi unit , then this is going to be no less then a walk into the unknown especially when you have never been a parent to a combination unit. But before heading onto that, you should have a clear understanding of what a combi boiler actually is?
shaky1105
As the title suggests, is it possible to use a combi boiler for central heating only ? The boiler working fine for the heating but it's a bit underpowered for hot water. Was toying with the idea of getting a separate hot water boiler like I used to have in my old house.
shaky1105
Cheers. Is it simply a case of the installer cutting the hot water pipes to the combi and rerouting them to the new boiler or will he have to do any modifications to the old combi ?
PullerGas
If you add a HW cylinder & say use your Combi for one hot tap, then yes it can be done.
shaky1105
If you add a HW cylinder & say use your Combi for one hit tap, then yes it can be done.
AGAS
Cheers PullerGas but I don't want to use the combi for any hot water supply, just the central heating. The combi is at the other end of the house (it's a bungalow) to both the kitchen and the bathroom so I wanted to leave that as it is and get a separate boiler put in at the other end for the hot water supply.
shaky1105
Thanks Agas but I don't understand your bungalow comment ? As to the hot water tank, I just prefer to heat water as and when I need it, not when the system decides if you get my meaning.
PullerGas
Easier & cheaper putting an unvented cylinder at the other end of your Bungalow, for hot water.
