There is a huge variety of central heating boilers on the market these days. They come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from small, compact units that can be fitted in small kitchen cupboards to larger high-output boilers that could fill a small room.
Each of these boilers have their own specific selling points and down sides, some are radically different from each other, whilst others only seem to have aesthetic differences. Boilers can be run on electricity, gas and even oil. It can be quite confusing to work out exactly which central heating boilers you should have.
Which Central Heating Boiler for What?
The type of boilers you choose obviously depends on your requirements; the factors that you need to consider are size, cost, output, efficiency and storage. Below I have listed a number of options that you may consider:
Combination Central Heating Boilers
A very popular type of central heating boiler is the combination boiler, these are often known as ‘combi' boilers and account for more than half the current United Kingdom sales.
Their main selling point is convenience as a combi boiler will heat the water required within its unit and not in a separate copper tank in the airing cupboard like some other central heating boilers. The combi will also heat the radiators etc for the central heating system.
The combi boiler does not need a cold water tank or separate water cylinder so is economic on space as well as cost.
Wall Mounted Central Heating Boilers
The majority of central heating boilers manufactured nowadays are wall mounted with compact and lightweight heat exchangers made from cast iron, stainless steel, copper or aluminium. These wall mounted boilers are produced in many varieties such as room sealed or fanned flue. These boilers are fitted with a ‘system by-pass' system which allows the water to filter through the boiler appliance, preventing the loud noise that is known as ‘kettling'.
Free Standing Central Heating Boilers
These are usually produced as narrow units that fit snugly between kitchen units and other small areas. These very flexible central heating boilers are extremely handy in homes that are compromised by space.
Condensing Central Heating Boilers
Condensing boilers can boast an efficient ‘heat exchanger', which re-circulates the warm air instead of losing it up the flue of the boiler. These type of boilers are very economic and help drive down the cost of your fuel bills. One main drawback for the condensing boiler is the pluming effect that occurs from the flue, this is often mistaken for steam. The pluming effect is caused by droplets of water that develop throughout the boilers flue and causes no danger to the user. Because of this the installation location can often be difficult.
Back Central Heating Boilers
The use of old fashioned back boilers in fireplaces is being phased out due to new building regulations and are slowly but surely being replaced by boilers like the ones listed above. A popular solution for homes that once housed back boilers is to install a modern gas fire in the space vacated by the old boiler and install a combination boiler elsewhere in the home.
Each of these boilers have their own specific selling points and down sides, some are radically different from each other, whilst others only seem to have aesthetic differences. Boilers can be run on electricity, gas and even oil. It can be quite confusing to work out exactly which central heating boilers you should have.
Which Central Heating Boiler for What?
The type of boilers you choose obviously depends on your requirements; the factors that you need to consider are size, cost, output, efficiency and storage. Below I have listed a number of options that you may consider:
Combination Central Heating Boilers
A very popular type of central heating boiler is the combination boiler, these are often known as ‘combi' boilers and account for more than half the current United Kingdom sales.
Their main selling point is convenience as a combi boiler will heat the water required within its unit and not in a separate copper tank in the airing cupboard like some other central heating boilers. The combi will also heat the radiators etc for the central heating system.
The combi boiler does not need a cold water tank or separate water cylinder so is economic on space as well as cost.
Wall Mounted Central Heating Boilers
The majority of central heating boilers manufactured nowadays are wall mounted with compact and lightweight heat exchangers made from cast iron, stainless steel, copper or aluminium. These wall mounted boilers are produced in many varieties such as room sealed or fanned flue. These boilers are fitted with a ‘system by-pass' system which allows the water to filter through the boiler appliance, preventing the loud noise that is known as ‘kettling'.
Free Standing Central Heating Boilers
These are usually produced as narrow units that fit snugly between kitchen units and other small areas. These very flexible central heating boilers are extremely handy in homes that are compromised by space.
Condensing Central Heating Boilers
Condensing boilers can boast an efficient ‘heat exchanger', which re-circulates the warm air instead of losing it up the flue of the boiler. These type of boilers are very economic and help drive down the cost of your fuel bills. One main drawback for the condensing boiler is the pluming effect that occurs from the flue, this is often mistaken for steam. The pluming effect is caused by droplets of water that develop throughout the boilers flue and causes no danger to the user. Because of this the installation location can often be difficult.
Back Central Heating Boilers
The use of old fashioned back boilers in fireplaces is being phased out due to new building regulations and are slowly but surely being replaced by boilers like the ones listed above. A popular solution for homes that once housed back boilers is to install a modern gas fire in the space vacated by the old boiler and install a combination boiler elsewhere in the home.
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