Picking Out the right heating boiler type
Picking Out the right heating boiler type
When you select your next boiler there are a number of things you want to take into account. You might start with the expense but also require to think of other considerations, you will need to reflect on how much hot water your household will use, the storage space you have available for heating heating boiler elements and how green the boiler is.
The main types of central heating boiler are:-
Chimney gas back boilers
Back boilers are still found in some homes, if you look carefully in the chimney you might see the back boiler installed out of view, the back boiler being hidden at the back of the fire. These are now only installed as a substitute and they have certain disadvantages such as low water pressure, space can be an issue and you will need someplace to obscure your boiler. However if you already have a back boiler then a straightforward substitute could be your best option.
Back boilers have not been very economical in the past, but big advances have been produced over the past 5-10 years, so by swapping out an older inefficient back boiler, you could make savings in your energy usage and cut your heating bills.
In the last few years the combi gas fired boiler has become the most popular type of gas boiler sold. Combi gas fired boilers are small enabling them to be squeezed into cupboards and they are economical. They also heat cold water instantly meaning that you do not will have to wait for a hot water tank to warm up – as a result you have endless hot water.
They are more economical than other types too. The heat loss profile is reduced as the hot water storage tank in other heating boiler systems is got rid of. Look out for somebody turning on all the hot water taps in your house whilst you are running a hot bath as it could temporarily turn cold.
Unvented system heating boilers
A system central heating boiler works on the concept of retained hot water. This means that you will want an airing closet or alternative space for the hot water storage cylinder. The installation tends to be easier and lower-priced with this form of boiler as the other system parts are built in.
You can now draw several hot water taps concurrently as they are furnished from the hot water tank. If the hot water tank is installed high in the house you will also get good internal water pressure.
Open vent central heating boilers
Most probably your household will have an existing open vent boiler fitted. 2 water tanks will be fitted in the loft with an open vent gas boiler, this is in addition to the hot water storage cylinder in the airing closet and all this takes a lot of space.
Mains supply water is fed through one of loft tanks to the hot water storage cylinder.
The other cylinder in the loft facilitates expansion of the water in the central heating when it heats up. Whilst you can now run several hot water taps concurrently you will be limited by the hot water cylinders capacity.