Buying the perfect boiler might not be up there with buying a top of the range home entertainment system or a new car. But choosing the right boiler could help boost the amount you have in your kitty to fund such purchases by slashing your energy bills.
And that's not to mention the fact that an efficient and effective boiler will keep you warm and well supplied with hot water.
That's why learning a bit about the
three main kinds of boiler can stand you in good financial stead.
Types of boiler
1. Combination boiler
What is a combination boiler?
Combination or 'combi' boilers, found in around two-thirds of properties, heat your radiators and provide hot water. They combine the functions of a traditional boiler - basically a hot-water cylinder and a cold-water tank - into one unit.
Brands such as Baxi, Glow Worm, Worcester Bosch and British Gas provide combi boilers, which vary in shape, size and cost depending on the spec of the unit.
Pros of combination boilers
- Combination boilers are compact and easy to store.
- They don’t need to be installed in a loft.
- They are perfect for smaller homes with fewer bathrooms.
- Less structural change to pipes so installation tends to be cheaper.
Cons of combination boilers:
- May not be suitable if you have a big family or lots of bathrooms, as you will be unable to run hot water from two sources at once for any length of time.
2. System or 'sealed system' boiler
What is a system boiler?
System or sealed system boilers use cylinder storage (stored in an airing cupboard) to provide both central heating and hot water.
Pros of a system boiler
- Ideal for larger homes with multiple bathrooms and en-suites.
- Suitable for households with several occupants as a constant supply of hot water is provided to multiple taps.
- They don’t require installation in a loft.
Cons of a system/sealed system boiler
- You will have to wait for water to heat up in the storage cylinder if it runs out.
- Can be tricky to find space for a cylinder unit.
3. Open vent boilers
What is an open vent boiler?
Regular boilers (often referred to as traditional, conventional or heat-only boilers) provide central heating and hot water by way of a storage cylinder housed in the airing cupboard and water tanks kept in your loft.
Pros of an open vent boiler
- They have a high water flow rate, making them ideal for a powerful shower.
Cons of an open vent boiler
- Can take up a lot of room in the average loft.
- You will have to wait when the hot water runs out.
- Finding space to fit a cylinder unit can be difficult.
Why should I change my boiler?
Most people stick with the boiler they inherit when they move into a property.
But investing in a newer, fuel-efficient boiler that's more suitable for your home and usage can shave hundreds off your gas and electricity bills every year.
How much does a new boiler cost?
A new boiler typically costs between £2,000 and £3,000, including installation fees.
You may be able to get a free boiler under the Energy Company Obligation, which is funded by the 'Big Six' energy companies.
You'll need to be on a low income or certain benefits, and have an old, inefficient boiler to qualify. For more details, visit the
Energy Saving Trustwebsite.
How much does it cost to repair a boiler?
The type of fault or extent of damage will determine how much it will cost to fix your boiler. It can cost anything from
£150 for a minor repair such as a replacement fan, gas valve or printed circuit board or closer to
£300 for more serious work.
Our guide on
the true cost of fixing a boiler explains the costs associated with repairs in more detail.
Looking after your boiler
Whichever type of boiler you have, maximise its lifespan and efficiency by having it serviced regularly.
Boiler breakdown and repair cover is also a worthwhile option. Visit our boiler cover page to find the right protection for your boiler.
Efficiency tips for your boiler
While investing in a new and energy efficient boiler will help bring down your running costs, the Energy Saving Trust recommends a number of smaller scale measures you can make:
Upgrade your heat recovery devices: There are a number of devices on the market, such as passive flue gas heat recovery systems, which help recoup any heat that escapes through the boiler’s connecting pipes. This recaptured and lost energy is then used to heat your water.
Insulate hot water cylinders: Newer hot water cylinders are designed with insulation to stop heat escaping. If you have an older cylinder, you could save in the region of £25 - £35 a year by bolstering the insulation of your unit.
Invest in chemical inhibitors: The build-up of scale can reduce the lifespan of your boiler, as well as the effectiveness of radiators and heating circuitry. Chemical inhibitor can reduce corrosion and maintain the efficiency of your boiler.
Combi boilers prices vary from £600 to £2000 dependent on make and model
Combi boilers prices vary hugely in price – normally from £500 to £1500 depending on brand, insurance/warranty, installation and, of course, the size/power. Here we compare a few of each size to give you an idea on combi boilers prices. Here is a list of some of the most popular combi boiler prices on the market today to give you a general idea: What is a combi boiler?
Combi Boiler Model and Prices
|
| Worcester Bosch Greenstar 42cdi Classic |
Typical Price – £1374 |
| Worcester Bosch Greenstar 34cdi Classic |
Typical Price – £1,030 |
| Vaillant ecoTEC Plus Combination |
Typical Price – £784 |
| Potterton Promax Combi HE Plus |
Typical Price – £660 |
| Potterton Performa Combi HE |
Typical Price -£650 |
| Baxi Neta-Tec Plus Combi GA |
Typical Price -£640 |
Combi Boiler Sizes and Prices
Dependent on the size of your house, combi boilers prices will differ. The more rooms and the more radiators you have, the bigger combi boiler output will be required. Here is a guide on on the size of combi boiler (kw output) and a price guide.
Smaller Houses – (Combi Boiler 24 kw to 27 kw Output)
A small house, flat or apartment would typically require a combi boiler output between 24 & 27kw.
| Model |
Output |
Typical Price |
| Baxi Duo-Tec HE |
24 kw |
£726 |
| Valliant ecoTec Pro NG |
24 kw |
£744 |
Semi-Detached / Detached Mid Size House (28 kw to 34 kw)
Medium size house requiring up to 15 radiators will require an estimated outout of 28kw to 34 kw
| Model |
Output |
Typical Price |
| Worcester Bosch 34 Greenstar Classic |
30 kw |
£726 |
| Potterton Promax FSB30HE Floor Standing |
30 kw |
£822 |
Large Detached / Detached Med Size House (35 kw to 42 kw)
Large size house with up to 3 – 5 bedrooms will require an estimated output of 35kw to 42kw
| Model |
Output |
Typical Price |
| Worcester Bosch Greenstar Highflow 550CDI |
41.1 kw |
£1900 |
| Worcester Bosch Greenstar FS 42 CDi |
42 kw |
£1600 |
Installation Costs
A combi boiler is designed to contain all its parts in one neat, compact unit. This is far more energy efficient and takes a lot less time to heat up than older boilers with a hot storage water tank. When you are having your new combi boiler installed all that needs fitting is this single unit – this shouldn’t take a professional engineer more than a couple of hours to install.
Unfortunately this doesn’t mean that the installation is cheap. While they may be single units that can be installed in little over two hours, each model is designed differently and a number of practical factors: size, radiator-replacement, the length of the flue required to vent waste gases and whether or not you need to remove old water tanks currently taking up space in your attic or airing cupboard. This, therefore means that it could in fact take a couple of days to install your combi-boiler – that is if you are replacing a traditional boiler.
However, remember that after this initial system reboot, replacing and maintaining your combi-boiler is quick, easy and relatively cheap. The amount of money you are most likely to save in the long run, should also more than make up for this initial cost.
