boilers 16 January, 2025

Types of Boilers: A Brief Guide

In the market for a new boiler? The best thing you can do is to educate yourself on the types of boiler available before you move forward. Understanding the benefits and limitations of each boiler type can help you to make the right choice for your home.

If you’re interested in upgrading your boiler and would like to know your options, get in touch with our team. We can help you to understand the current boiler setup in your home and explain if this is the best one for your circumstances. We can also advise you on the best possible upgrade for your home that will be good for the planet and good for your wallet.

What is a boiler?

A boiler is a home device that provides hot water for your taps and central heating. The majority of homes in the UK have a gas-powered boiler installed. This type of setup burns gas in your home and turns this into heat.

Hot water runs through heated coils which can then be directed to your taps, or into your radiators to provide heating. Without a functioning boiler, your home could quickly become very uncomfortable, so when your boiler breaks down, it’s essential to get it fixed quickly.

Boilers will typically last for around 12-15 years, but some boilers could keep going for up to 20 years depending on how well they are maintained. Once your boiler reaches the 15 year mark, it makes sense to start thinking about a replacement. At this point, breakdowns are likely to be more frequent and may be more expensive to put right.


What are the three main types of boilers?

If you are shopping for a new gas powered boiler, you’ll likely be presented with three main choices: combi, conventional and systems boilers. The one that you choose will depend on a wide range of factors.

Combi boilers are by far the most popular. They are efficient, effective and widespread. This means that if your boiler breaks down, you should have no issue finding a qualified plumber who is capable of fixing it.

While combi boilers might be efficient and effective, there are some instances where this might not be the best choice. For example, a large household that needs to run multiple showers at once might benefit from a system boiler.

Let’s explore each boiler type in more detail and look at some of the pros and cons of these setups.

What is a combi boiler?

A combi boiler is a compact and energy efficient system that provides hot water and heating on demand. Rather than heat a large storage cylinder of hot water, the boiler provides hot water on demand when you turn on the tap. It also fires up when the central heating is switched on. Since it is heating everything on demand, it is not suitable for large or high-traffic homes. This is because it cannot provide sufficient heat and hot water for multiple sources at once. However, a home with one main bathroom would be well-served with a combi boiler.

Benefits of a combi boiler

  • On demand system means that it is highly efficient and you only pay for what you use.

  • Hot water and heating is instant.

  • Small design fits neatly into your kitchen or storage cupboard.

  • Cheaper to install as the system is confined to one spot.

What is a system boiler?

A system boiler takes cold water from the mains and heats it in a storage cylinder until it is needed. A large capacity system boiler would be better suited to a large home, as multiple people could use the hot water without impacting pressure. The main disadvantage of this system is that once the hot water is gone, you’ll have to wait for the system to heat more water, which can take longer.

Benefits of a system boiler

  • Ideal for larger homes with multiple bathrooms.

  • Efficient for high hot water and central heating usage.

  • Can be paired with solar power or heat pumps for greater savings.

What is a conventional boiler?

Older properties may have a conventional or regular boiler system. This type of outdated design will have a cold water feed tank and a hot water tank. Cold water is taken from the mains, heated and then stored until it is needed. This makes it similar to the system boiler, the main difference being the presence of another tank to store cold water.

If you have an older property, you might only have the pipework available for a conventional boiler. In this case, it would make sense to replace like-for-like. Otherwise, your plumber is likely to recommend upgrading to a combi or system boiler.

Benefits of a conventional boiler

  • Can be suitable for larger homes with multiple bathrooms.

  • May be paired with solar power to help reduce energy costs.

  • This type of boiler is compatible with older heating systems, making it perfect for period homes.

How to choose the right boiler for your needs

If you’re struggling to choose the right boiler for your home, it’s a good idea to consult with an expert. Find out what system you currently have in place and if this is suited to your needs. If the system is falling short, look for ways to overcome these issues by changing your boiler type.