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Heating Our Homes - How size matters when it comes to buying a new boiler
For many of us, buying a new boiler is not something we do with great regularity. Given this fact, it is important to remember that yes, size matters when it comes to choosing the best boiler for our homes. In addition, the number and way we use our bathrooms will also influence our decision together with the level of insulation our property affords.
By law, all new and replacement gas and oil fired boilers (with few exceptions - see "Heating and our environmental responsibilities") must be condensing boilers.
Essentially, there are 3 types:
- Combination (combi)
- Regular - traditional, heat only or conventional boilers which unlike combis, heat a store of water in a cylinder
- System - similar to Regular but don't need an expansion tank and have the heating and hot water components built in, making installation quicker and easier
If you live in a larger home with more bathrooms for example, it is highly likely that demand for hot water (say in the get ready for work and school rush) will come from many outlets at the same time. If this is the case, it is highly likely that you should consider a hot water cylinder to store enough hot water to meet demand. Therefore, the most suitable option would be the regular or indeed system boiler.
If you live in a smaller home with one bathroom or possibly a bathroom and en-suite, the likely demand for hot water will not be the same as in the above scenario and therefore a condensing combi system which heats water on demand may be the more appropriate solution.
I am afraid to say that the hard work doesn't stop there. The final consideration is the level of insulation as heat loss is a determining factor. A poorly insulated property will I am afraid lose more heat when compared to a modern well insulated property. Therefore, a larger boiler will be required in order to compensate for the heat loss. The more cost effective solution in the short term will in our opinion be upgrading the level of insulation and there are grants available to help ou with this.
With living space at a premium, it is no surprise that combination boilers now account for more than half of all new domestic boilers installed in Britain each year. The removal of the need for a hot water cylinder and the attraction of almost instant hot water are seen as positive benefits. However, combi is not always best if you require high flow rates (for power showers) or demand from several outlets at once. I can vouch for this having stayed in homes with a combi system installed where high demand can lead to cold water at one or more outlets.
The way we heat our homes can also influence the size of the boiler required. If for example you are considering installing under floor heating in your property, did you realise that a typical under floor system will require a temperature flow of 45 degrees C compared to 60 degrees C for traditional radiators? Therefore, houses heated by radiators will require a larger boiler when compared to a house heated by an under floor system.
What boiler is best for me?
| Type of Property | Type of Boiler |
| Bungalow or Flat (with no liveable roofspace) | Combi |
| Two or More Bathrooms | System or Regular |
| Low mains water pressure | System or Regular |
| Upgrading existing boiler | System, Regular or Combi |
| Loft Conversion | Combi |
Will Your House Last 1,000 Years? - Heating and Our Environmental Responsibilities
Did you realise that Britain has the oldest housing stock in the developed world with 8.5 million properties over 60 years old?
Given the current rate of demolition, this will mean that the average house could realistically have to last for 1,000 years before it is replaced. I look at my own home and at times, I struggle to believe it could comfortably last a further 100 years without major refurbishment let alone 1,000 years.
Whilst this statistic is faintly absurd, what it does do is make us realise that yes, our homes have a long term purpose and therefore, we need to make sure that we seek ways of improving their environmental performance for the benefit of our own finances and the environment at large.
Part L of the Building Regulations "Conservation of Fuel and Power" governs amongst other things, heating system controls and boilers.
Did you realise that since April 2005, all new and replacement gas and oil fired domestic boilers must be condensing boilers of Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the United Kingdom (SEDBUK) band A or B ensuring a high efficiency rating. If you do live in a property where the pipework isn't compatible with a condensing system, then you are exempt from installing a condensing boiler if this can be demonstrated.
What is a Condensing Boiler?
A condensing boiler is quite literally a high efficiency boiler which works by recovering more heat from fuel burnt than a conventional boiler. By recovering and using heat that would otherwise be lost up the flue, the most efficient condensing boilers can operate at efficiency rates of greater than 90%.
How does a 90% efficiency rate compare to a conventional boiler?
Typically, a conventional boiler which is more than 15 years old for example, may only operate at an efficiency of 55% meaning that in some cases, they are 35% less efficient when compared to a modern condensing boiler. In real terms, quite substantial savings can be made by investing in a new boiler. You could be saving in the region of 35 pence in every £1 of fuel you use for heating and hot water or as much as £240 per annum.
The improvement to your heating system doesn't necessarily stop there. Part L of the Building Regulations also states that the controls operating the boiler should be improved (where necessary) by including a timer, room thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves. Please remember that the installation of a new boiler will require building regulation approval - Please Refer to the Building Regulations section for More Information about this matter.
Is it time you thought about investing in a new boiler?
