There are 3 main different types of boiler:
Combination or 'combi' boilers
This is the most popular types of boiler in the UK, now found in around 70% of homes.
Combi boilers provide central heating and hot water without the need for a separate tank to store water; hence you can easily tuck them away under the stairs or in kitchen cabinets.
Most suited to
Homes with one bathroom, households with single people, couples and families with one child.
These types of central heating boilers are usually available in following outputs: kw 24, 30, 35
See combi boilers within our range
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Benefits |
Disadvantages |
- Instant, unlimited domestic hot water
- These types of boiler are compact, easy to fit if space is limited
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- Unable to run multiple showers or baths at the same time
- Lower flow rate for hot water than an open vent or system boiler
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System boilers
These types of boilers (sometimes known as a ‘sealed system’) provide central heating and hot water via a storage cylinder housed in an airing cupboard - no need for water tanks in the loft, as with an open vent boiler.
Most suited to
Larger homes with multiple bathrooms/en-suites; families
These types of boiler are usually available in following outputs: kw 12, 15, 18, 24, 30, 38
See system boilers within our range
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Benefits |
Disadvantages |
- Instant, unlimited domestic hot water
- These types of boiler have no tank(s) in your loft
- More than one hot tap / shower can easily operate at same time
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- Hot water is not instant.
- Once the water in the storage cylinder runs out you have to wait for it to reheat.
- You'll need to find space for the cylinder (usually an airing cupboard)
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Open vent boilers
Open vent boilers are a peculiarly British invention. An open vent (sometimes known as heating only) provide central heating and hot water via a boiler, a storage cylinder housed in the airing cupboard and water tanks in your loft. If you're looking to do a full system overhaul most people opt to remove the tanks from the loft and turn their open vent system into a sealed system.
Most suited to
Larger homes with an existing open vent boiler
Usually available in following outputs: kw 12, 15, 18, 24, 30, 38
See open vent boilers within our range
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Benefits |
Disadvantages |
- These types of boiler have High flow rate for domestic hot water
- More than one hot tap / shower can easily operate at same time
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- Once the water in the storage cylinder runs out you have to wait for it to reheat.
- You'll need to find space for the cylinder (usually an airing cupboard)
- The bulk feed and expansion tanks are usually sited in the loft - this can create a problem if you're considering a loft conversion.
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