What is a conventional boiler?

If you’re not sure what type of boiler you have, it can leave you feeling confused when the time comes to repair or replace it. As long as your boiler is functioning as expected, you’d be forgiven for being completely unaware of the type of boiler you have.

Learning more about the types of boilers available can help you when the time comes to replace it. You’ll be better informed about the options available and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

In this short guide, we’re sharing the essential information you need to understand how your boiler works and if this is the right choice for your home.

How does a conventional boiler work?

A conventional boiler is sometimes referred to as a regular boiler. With this type of system, cold water from your mains supply is fed into a cold water storage tank which is usually found in your loft.

This water is heated using a heat exchanger in your boiler and then stored in a hot water tank ready to be used for your central heating or to supply hot water to your taps. The variable capacity of the system means that you can supply hot water to very large properties and even those with multiple bathrooms.

How do I know if I have a conventional boiler?

You’ll know if you have a conventional or regular boiler as you will also have storage tanks in your home. The cold water storage will typically be in your loft and the hot water storage will usually be found in an upstairs cupboard.

Another sign that you have a conventional boiler is that you might occasionally run out of hot water and have to wait for the system to heat more. With a combi boiler, you would enjoy hot water on demand, but the system might struggle to produce enough for multiple outlets at once.

What are the benefits of a conventional boiler?

A conventional boiler is best suited to large homes with multiple residents. If you have high demand for hot water in your home, and perhaps you need to run multiple showers at once, then a conventional boiler could be more efficient.

It’s also ideal for family homes with a fairly steady routine. The boiler will heat the same amount of water every day, so it’s best suited to properties where you have fairly consistent occupancy and usage. If your demand for heating and hot water is less consistent, you might find energy saving benefits by choosing a combi boiler.

Another benefit of a conventional boiler is that you can have the central heating on at the same time as running the hot water taps in multiple locations. A combi boiler would struggle to meet these demands.

What are the downsides of a conventional boiler?

Despite the benefits, there are some downsides to this type of boiler. First and foremost, you’ll need a lot more space in your home for this type of boiler. You’ll need a cold water storage tank in your loft and then a hot water storage tank. This is in addition to your actual boiler system.

If you already have a conventional boiler in place, it can be beneficial to replace this with another conventional boiler as the pipework will already be established. Changing from a combi boiler to a conventional boiler can be a more complex installation.

You could also face a shortage of hot water during peak periods. Residents of the property might need to be mindful of their hot water usage to ensure there is enough for everyone. Otherwise, someone might be left waiting for the heating system to heat more water before they can enjoy their shower.