SHOULD I GET A COMBI BOILER?

What is a combi boiler? Should I get a combi boiler? Is a combi boiler the best option for me?
I am guessing you don’t know where to start, if so here’s some advice to help you decide if a combi boiler is the best option for you.

Why do I need a Combi Boiler

Combination boilers are a great energy and space saving appliance. They heat your water as soon as you run a tap, meaning there’s no need for a storage tank. When a hot tap is opened, the combi recognises water is flowing. The boiler immediately responds by lighting a burner to heat the water.

Combi boilers are designed primarily for smaller houses with one bathroom. So, if you have an ensuite or an extra bathroom, a combi might not be the best option. This is because most combi boilers can only provide hot water to one tap or shower at a time. This isn’t a problem in smaller houses or flats but would cause flow problems in houses with two showers. Some modern combination boilers have been designed to overcome this flow problem by containing a small storage vessel for hot water or by having a large heat output.

It’s a good idea to seek advice from a local heating engineer to see if a combi boiler is the best fit for your property.

How does a combi boiler work

A combi (combination) boiler provides central heating and hot water directly. It prioritises hot water. If you have the central heating on and then run a hot tap, the boiler switches to hot water mode. Once you’ve finished using the hot tap, the boiler will then divert its heat back to the central heating.

You will usually see combi boilers in smaller houses or flats that contain only one bathroom. These boilers contain a diverter valve. This diverts water away from the radiators towards the hot water. When you run a hot tap, the boiler senses a flow of water through a flow switch or turbine. It immediately responds by lighting a burner to quickly send heat to your bath, shower, or sink. Once the demand for hot water is over, the boiler will either switch back to central heating (if you’ve got the heating on) or sit in stand-by mode waiting for the next demand.

Combi boilers can be more efficient as you’re only heating the water you use, so less energy is wasted than if you were heating a tank of hot water.

So, should I get a Combi Boiler?

If you answer yes to all of the questions below, then a combi boiler is probably a good choice for your home:

1. Do you have 3 bedrooms or fewer?
2. Do you have only one bathroom?
3. Do you live in a small house or flat?

It is always best to seek advice from a Gas Safe or OFTEC registered heating engineer. If you’d like more advice please contact us.
 
You can get more information on different types of combi boiler direct from the manufacturers:
New Boilers | Worcester Bosch (worcester-bosch.co.uk)
Gas Boilers | Domestic Central Heating from Vaillant
ATAG Boilers - Built To Last (atagheating.co.uk)