Top Tips when Choosing a New Boiler

A good boiler is one of the most important things in the home. In most cases, it doesn’t just provide the heating that keeps us warm in winter, but it also heats the water we use to keep clean and provide essential hygiene.

So, when the time comes to buy a new one, it’s a big decision and one you want to get right. But with so many makes and models on the market, how on earth do you begin to pick the right one for your home?

In this article, the A&D Plumbing Services team of home heating experts will share a few of their top tips to help you find the right solution.

Which Type of Boiler?

Most modern homes that use gas as their main source of fuel for heating and hot water use combi boilers, and these will generally be the most cost-effective and efficient. Because they provide hot water on demand, there’s no need for a water tank – which in turn means that they take up a lot less room than a lot of the alternatives.

If you have a particularly large home with multiple bathrooms, lots of radiators and a high demand for hot water, you may be better off with a system boiler that needs a hot water storage tank.

We’ll discuss your options if you don’t have gas later in this article.

Does Brand Matter?

Sometimes! It’s always worth reading reviews to see which boilers other consumers have good or bad things to say about. You might also want to see what the different brands offer in terms of a warranty, as this is a great way to have some peace of mind in the event of a breakdown.

Generally, it’s best to stick with one of the main brands. Ideal, Baxi, Vaillant, Potterton, Worcester and Glow-Worm are some of the reliable names available in the UK. 

Sticking with a major brand means that spare parts should be easily sourced in the event of a breakdown, while all heating engineers should know their way around them (although a really good heating engineer – such as those at A&D Plumbing Services – will be able to service and repair all makes and models).

Which Model?

Even if you have a favourite and trusted brand, deciding which of their many models is suitable is another matter. The main things you need to consider are the size of your property, how many radiators there are and how much hot water is going to be used. 

• Small houses and flats will usually need a boiler with an output of up to 27kW
• Medium-sized homes with three or four bedrooms and a couple of bathrooms will need a boiler with an output of up to 35kW
• Larger homes will need a boiler with an output of more than 35kW or even a system boiler

The thing to remember is that if your boiler is too small for your property, then it won’t heat it effectively or be able to provide enough water. Get a boiler that’s too big and you’ll end up spending far more than you need to – both for the boiler itself and in ongoing running costs.

What If You Don’t Have Gas At Your Property?

If you don’t have gas, you’ll be looking at using electricity to provide your heating and hot water, an oil-fired boiler or even a heat pump. 

• Electricity, while becoming a good low carbon option as wind and solar power contribute more to the national grid, is nevertheless nearly always going to be noticeably more expensive than gas.
• Heat pumps are being pushed as the eco-friendly choice – with government grants available to make installation more affordable and encourage us to adopt them – although they are not suitable for all properties.
• Oil-fired boilers are similarly priced to gas ones and the running costs can be comparable, too. Having said that, oil prices are even more subject to price fluctuations than gas. Oil is also considerably less environmentally friendly than gas, as it produces about twice as much carbon dioxide.

Ask The Experts!

In all the above cases, the best thing to do is to consult trusted heating engineers, such as A&D Plumbing Services.

Heating engineers with a good reputation will make sure you get a reliable boiler they know will do the job for you most effectively and most efficiently. Experienced heat engineers will have installed different types of boilers into homes of all sizes and will know which will best suit your property and your family.

While we would always recommend you do your own research for your own peace of mind, and ask friends for their experiences with different boilers, there’s no substitute for the accumulated knowledge and wisdom of a good heating engineer!

Here at A&D Plumbing Services, we supply, install and service boilers for homes across Colchester, Essex, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. With over 15 years of experience, we’re your local experts, so if you’re in need of professional boiler services in the area, please get in touch with us today.