Finding the right new boiler to match your home’s heating and hot water needs takes careful consideration and some thorough research.
It’s important to be aware of all the necessary factors that contribute to securing a new boiler, from assessing your home’s energy needs to choosing which manufacturer to go for. This guide will help break down these factors so you can land on the right new boiler for you.
Power output
The boiler size, or its power output, is measured in kilowatts (kW). Boiler size does not refer to the physical dimensions! You can measure how many kW your boiler will need by the size of your home and the number of radiators to estimate the necessary heating capacity and the number of bathrooms or showers for the domestic hot water output.
It’s important to find the right size for your home. If your new boiler isn’t powerful enough then it will struggle to heat your radiators and provide all the hot water you need. On the other hand, if it’s too powerful then it leads to significant waste of energy which will show up in your monthly bills.
Generally, the more radiators or bathrooms you have, the higher your boiler’s output should be. Boiler power outputs typically range from 12kW for smaller homes, up to 40kW for larger homes.
Efficiency
The more efficient your new boiler is, the more you’ll save on monthly bills. This is because an efficient boiler burns less fuel to provide the same amount of heat as a less efficient boiler. A boiler replacement in the UK will lead to increased system efficiency since new models must meet at least 90% efficiency.
However, the best boilers will go even beyond this. For example, through efficient heat loss ratios. These boilers will save energy by providing water directly from the mainlines rather than internally storing hot water. These traditional water storage systems require more energy to continually heat the water in a hot water cylinder.
Another energy-saving feature to look out for is smart thermostat technology. This allows you to regulate the space temperature from any smart device. It will also learn your regular habits to know when to heat up or cool down your home at optimal times. Over time, this will significantly reduce your energy use.
Warranty
Parts and labour warranties and guarantees are a good way of figuring out which brand of manufacturer, or which boiler model to go for. An extensive warranty period gives you assurance that the manufacturer is confident in their product. A 10-year warranty will cover most of a boiler’s lifetime and so you will make drastic savings in long-term maintenance costs.
Typically, boiler warranties range from 3 years as standard, up to 10 years.
Pre-existing system
Boiler installation can amount to significant upfront costs. However, the complexity of the installation process can be simplified according to the type of boiler you will be replacing. If you currently have a regular system, with pipes between a cold water tank, hot water cylinder, and the boiler itself then it will cost you significantly to replace this with a newer system that requires less fixtures and fittings, like a combi boiler.
Therefore, to save on installation costs you could consider a similar boiler type that will match your home’s pre-existing pipework. Similarly, switching from a regular to a combi boiler might also require that you move positions to somewhere more suited to the smaller system. However, relocating your pre-existing system also equals hefty upfront costs. As a rule of thumb: the simpler the installation, the less it will cost!
