For more information, please visit gtboiler.
If you just bought a house in the northeast, chances are it gets heat from a residential boiler. While furnaces are more popular in the Midwest and western United States, residential boilers tend to dominate both new and existing homes out east.
You may benefit from a home boiler if:
If the above sounds like you, then read the following guide to get started on your boiler buying journey.
A residential boiler works by using hot water or steam to heat a home. The hot water or steam flows through piping to radiators throughout the building. The radiators transfer the heat to the room, providing warmth.
Here are more specifics on the different types, or mediums, of boilers.
In steam boilers, a boiler furnace heats water until it becomes steam. The steam then naturally flows via supply pipes to radiators in different rooms of the house, providing heat. Eventually, the hot steam cools and reverts into water before flowing through return pipes back to the boiler where the process starts again.
Steam boilers are often identifiable by a sight glass, which is a small glass tube partially filled with water. You can also check your radiators to see if they have an air vent, which is another sign that you have a steam boiler.
Because they are among the oldest boiler medium, steam boilers are often necessary when renovating historic homes if you want to keep that vintage look and feel. They also provide higher outputs of heat than hydronic boilers but cost more to run.
Hydronic boilers use a fuel source to heat water to a designated temperature and then manually pump it to radiator panels around the home. They require less energy than steam boilers and have become more common in modern homes.
You can often identify a hydronic boiler by a circulator pump. Unlike steam, which naturally expands throughout the piping system, water needs a &#;push.&#; A circulator pump provides that push and distributes the hot water around your home.
Hydronic boilers also require an expansion tank. As water becomes hot, it expands and adds pressure. The expansion tank relieves the added pressure from expanding water so that the system doesn&#;t burst.
You can also use a hydronic boiler in combination with an indirect water heater for greater efficiency. The hot water from the boiler circulates to a coil in the indirect water heater and heats the domestic water for your shower, dishes, etc.
An emerging type of water boiler is a combination boiler and hot water heater. These units provide both water for central heating and domestic hot water. The domestic hot water side never mixes with the central heating side to avoid contamination.
Combination boilers are highly efficient and save you money on installation and space. However, they are not designed for large homes or heavy demand.
Residential boiler systems require a fuel source to heat the water. There are four main boiler fuel sources:
A home boiler system's efficiency is determined by its annual fuel utilization efficiency percentage or AFUE. The percentage indicates how much of the boiler&#;s energy is converted into useable heat.
For example, a boiler with an AFUE of 90% converts 90% of its energy into heat and 10% is wasted as exhaust. Steam boilers are among the least efficient, typically with AFUE ratings of between 80% and 90%. Condensing hydronic boilers are the most efficient with AFUE ratings well into the 90th percentile.
A condensing boiler is so efficient because it recycles additional heat from the exhaust gases to preheat incoming water. As a result, the exhaust gases are cooler and allow for less-expensive venting to be used, such as PVC.
The higher your boiler&#;s AFUE, the more you will save in energy use over time, although upfront costs will most likely be higher. High efficiency or condensing boilers will also qualify you for incentives and rebates from certain utilities and localities.
Another aspect of residential boiler system efficiency and performance is whether it modulates heat output. A single-stage boiler provides only one output of heat, meaning it&#;s either off or running at full power. This can lead to uncomfortable swings in temperature and short-cycling, which is when the boiler turns on and off repeatedly, causing wasted energy and unnecessary wear and tear.
A modulating boiler can operate across a range of heat outputs. It will use the lowest heat setting possible to keep you comfortable, saving energy and providing consistent temperatures throughout the day.
There are three options for venting exhaust gases from a residential boiler: chimney, power, and direct venting.
Sizing a new residential boiler depends on the heat output (measured in BTUs) you need to effectively warm your home. This requires a Manual J Load calculation done by a professional, especially if you are switching to a higher-efficiency model.
If you are simply replacing an existing boiler with one of the same efficiency and size, locate the output ratings on the old boiler's heating plate or sticker. Many boilers were oversized in the past, so it's possible you can go a size smaller, but you should check with a professional to confirm.
A boiler's costs take into account both upfront and long-term expenses. Boiler medium, AFUE, output, venting, and local labor rates all impact upfront costs. On the other hand, efficiency and fuel type can impact lifetime costs.
For example, a 95% AFUE condensing hot water boiler may cost more upfront than an 81% AFUE steam boiler, but it will likely save you on monthly heating bills. Alternatively, if you choose a fuel type that is expensive in your area, you will likely negate any savings you would have otherwise enjoyed.
When it comes to maintenance, it is important to have a professional inspect your boiler once a year, preferably right before the heating season. This will ensure there are no gas leaks and that you're getting the proper heat output.
AC Wholesalers has a wide selection of hot water and steam boilers available with various heat outputs, fuel types, and AFUE ratings. Now that you understand how boilers work and the different options you have, feel free to browse our inventory.
Of course, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. We'll be happy to walk you through the selection process and go into further detail on what to consider.
NEXT: Browse and Shop All Boilers
Feeling lost in the boiler maze? Replacing your boiler is an important decision, and choosing the right type can significantly impact your comfort and energy bills.
But fear not! This guide will help you navigate the different new gas boiler options in the UK, empowering you to find the perfect match for your home&#;s needs.
Gas boilers are the workhorses of most UK central heating systems. However, with various types available (combi, system, conventional), understanding their pros and cons is crucial.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Wall Mounted Condensing Gas Boiler. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
The ideal boiler will not only keep your home warm and toasty but also be efficient and cost-effective. Let&#;s explore your options and ensure you make a choice that benefits you and your family for years to come.
Many people think combi boilers are the best, but they are totally home-dependent. Read our quick guide now.
Get an online fixed price in 20 seconds:
What kind of fuel does your boiler use?
Every gas boiler made is now a condensing boiler and is very energy efficient in how they heat water, however, there are several different types of boiler commonly used in the UK, including:
It&#;s important to note that not all boilers are suitable for every home and it&#;s essential to choose the right type of boiler for your specific needs and requirements.
For example, a system boiler is suited better to a larger home due to the space required for a hot water storage cylinder, and a combi boiler is to a medium-sized home, as it does not require one at all.
Congratulations! You&#;ve narrowed it down to the three main gas boiler types in the UK &#; combi, system, and conventional. Now, let&#;s explore which one best suits your home&#;s needs, considering factors like space, existing setup, and hot water usage.
There are many different types of boilers in each section and know what type of boiler system you have is important.
Each section has then a subsection of boilers under that bracket. Boilers can be of a different type due to the fuel they use, or how they heat, store or send water to your central heating system and hot water tap.
Natural gas boilers are the most common boiler in the UK, with the combi boiler being the most popular gas boiler due to its compact size and ease of installation and use. All gas boilers in the UK are hydrogen blend ready to 20%
A combination boiler, or combi boiler for short, is a space-saving and efficient heating and hot water solution that provides hot water on demand without the need for a hot water cylinder or cold water tank.
The name combi boiler comes from its ability to combine central heating and hot water into a single compact unit. The water is heated instantly as it passes through the unit and is then directly delivered to taps or showers, eliminating the need for separate hot water storage.
Gas combi boilers are the most common boiler type in the UK.
A combi boiler is generally the most cost-effective and efficient boiler around. They control both the hot water and the central heating, hence the name.
These boiler types are especially popular for anyone conscious of their environmental impact and looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Every combi is now a condensing boiler too.
One of the reasons they&#;re so popular is that they don&#;t take up much storage space in the home. Often they live in a standard kitchen cupboard or can be wall-hung and are incredibly easy to install.
The downside of these central heating boiler types is they are not great with pressure. You can&#;t run water from more than one tap or shower at the same time.
Pros:
Con&#;s:
Get an online fixed price in 20 seconds:
What kind of fuel does your boiler use?
System boilers are closed systems, usually containing two parts &#; a boiler and a cylinder. The boiler part heats up your water which is then stored in the cylinder.
System boilers are better options for some households because they allow you to run multiple taps or showers at the same time. They&#;re ideal if you have multiple bathrooms with a high demand for hot water.
System boilers tend to be quite economical to run, and they are relatively compact too. This boiler type would mean the boiler would live in a kitchen cupboard and then the hot water cylinder would live in the airing cupboard.
They offer a constant supply of hot water on demand, and you won&#;t need to worry about low boiler pressure problems. Immersion heaters can also be placed inside the hot water tanks or have them built in. Some hot water cylinders like the Megaflo system have them already built into the design to ensure they always have hot water and lots of it.
Pros:
Cons:
A Conventional boiler is the oldest type of boiler on this list, and that&#;s why they&#;re also known as a traditional boilers, heat only boilers or regular boilers.
As an open vent boiler, they use both a hot water cylinder in the airing cupboard and a cold water storage tank in the loft. This means they can take up quite a lot of space in the home.
If you have that space available, you shouldn&#;t necessarily rule out heat only boilers because they do offer some benefits that other types of boilers can&#;t offer as well.
Conventional boilers are very good at supplying water to different parts of the home at the same time, which is something that combi boilers really struggle with.
Conventional boilers are also by far the best option for homes that already have problems with low water pressure.
They are also compatible with a wide range of energy-efficient options such as solar thermal systems.
However, water has to be heated prior to using, so it&#;s not always available on demand.
Get an online fixed price in 20 seconds:
What kind of fuel does your boiler use?
The first thing you need to know about condensing boilers is that they&#;re not a category of new boiler like the others on the list.
Different types of boilers in the UK such as combi boilers, system boilers, and regular boilers can all be condensing boilers.
Simply, condensing boilers are green and designed for energy efficiency. They trap wasted, latent heat that tries to escape through the flue and uses this to heat your home. With other types of boilers such as non-condensing boilers, this latent heat is lost.
All new gas boilers in the UK are condensing gas boilers by law. Since the introduction of this technology which makes them over 90% energy efficient, it was brought into legislation that all new gas boilers manufactured and sold in the UK had to be condensing.
Check out the best gas combi boilers right now which all have this condensing technology built-in for maximum energy efficiency.
Oil boilers are best suited to homes that don&#;t have any connection to the main gas supply. The oil is heated up which in turn heats up the water for your home.
They&#;re typically suited to homes that don&#;t have any connection to the main gas supply.
They tend to be used in quite isolated and rural areas, and as a result, they tend to be more expensive to run.
The main thing that makes this type of boiler different is the fact that they use oil to run rather than gas.
Oil boilers can also be combi boilers, system boilers, or conventional boilers, just like gas. This means that they work exactly the same as each of these models, but the only difference is that they burn oil instead of gas.
Biomass boilers, also known as wood boilers, run using logs or wood pellets.
These biomass boilers generate heat in a cheap and affordable way. If you care about saving money, a biomass boiler may be the place to look.
They tend to be very energy efficient as well; they&#;re among the most sustainable options out there at the moment and an alternative to gas boilers.
Pellets tend to help these boilers run better, but logs are cheaper to buy.
Choosing the best boiler type that&#;s right for you can be tricky, but knowing about all of the options above is the important first step.
From there, you should think about the size of your home, if you need a lot of hot water on demand, heat-only boiler, your energy setup if it will run off oil, electric or gas boiler, and how much available space you have.
There is a lot of rated boilers on the market with a range of different boilers to suit different people&#;s needs.
The best boiler types for central heating are gas boilers. The size of your central heating system will decide how powerful your boiler is, whereas, your hot water demand will also make a difference, if you have multiple bathrooms and showers, then the system or conventional types are best.
The type of boiler you have will also affect your central heating cost per hour, so choosing the right one for you whilst also keeping the financial aspect in mind is important.
The top brands for all these boiler types are Viessmann, Worcester Bosch, Baxi, Vokera, Glow Worm and Ideal.
Yes, changing the boiler type is called converting a boiler.
Converting a conventional boiler to a combi boiler can benefit your home if your heating or hot water demands have changed, or you have a really old conventional boiler and a new combi boiler could easily do the same job in a much more energy-efficient way whilst removing your feed and expansion tank.
A lot of companies offer a new boiler including a home and boiler cover which keeps your warranty validated, and is included in the cost of the boiler installation.
Talk to an expert if you would like further guidance on a domestic boiler, or to get a great boiler deal, take our quick online fixed price calculator now. We have some great cheap boilers ready to go for every home.
All new boilers from Boiler Central are available on we also offer various boiler finance options
Get an online fixed price in 20 seconds:
What kind of fuel does your boiler use?
The company is the world’s best Industrial Finned Tube Heat Exchanger supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.