Compare up to 4 boilers, prices, brands and quotes

There’s a lot to consider when buying a new boiler – which type of fuel and boiler system is right for your home? What are the best brands? And where can you find the best prices?

It can be hard to keep track of all these factors when comparing multiple boiler types. That’s why we’ve simplified the process for you with our handy boiler comparison tool, where you can compare boilers side by side. You can use our comparison tool to compare boilers before getting free, no-obligation quotes to have your boiler installed.

However, if you feel you need a little more guidance on where to start comparing, you can read the article below to help you decide which boiler is most suitable for your home.

How to use the boiler comparison tool?

It’s important to compare boilers that are right for your home – the tool above lets you filter boilers by fuel, the type of heating system you need, and the manufacturer. Below is a quick summary of how to use the boiler comparison tool so that you can get the most out of it:

1. Select the fuel type – choose between gas, oil, and electric.
2. Select the boiler type – choose between combi, regular, and system.
3. Choose your preferred manufacturer/s.
4. Press the “+” icon for any of the boiler models you’d like to compare. You can select up to 4.
5. Once you’ve selected all your boiler models, click the arrows in the bottom right corner. You can then view and compare each model side by side on several factors, including efficiency rating and cost.
6. Now that you have a better idea of which boiler you’d like, you need to find a reputable engineer to install it for you. We recommend that you compare at least 3 quotes to make sure you’re getting a great deal. Complete our quick enquiry form and we’ll find you up to 3 no-obligation quotes from engineers near you.

What different fuel types are there?

When it comes to choosing a boiler for your home, one of the first things you need to consider is the type of fuel. The main types of fuel to compare are gas, oil, and electric.

Gas

Gas boilers burn natural gas to heat water that’s used for hot water or central heating. Around 85%¹ of UK homes have a gas boiler, as most homes are connected to the gas grid network. If you have a gas boiler now, you will probably want to stick with gas as it is the cheapest and most convenient fuel.

Some things to consider when comparing gas boilers to other types are:

• – Gas is about 3-4 times cheaper² than electricity per kWh (kilowatt hour).
• – Gas is not environmentally friendly, however, it is the cleanest fossil fuel of those available.
• – Your home needs to be connected to the gas grid network. It can be expensive to connect your home up to the gas grid if it’s not already.

Another fuel type to consider is Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). It’s important to note that not all gas boilers are compatible with LPG. LPG is different from natural gas, as it’s made up of a combination of gaseous hydrocarbons.

Furthermore, LPG needs to be delivered and stored in a tank at your home and isn’t connected through the gas network. Therefore, if you’re considering LPG as a fuel it’s vital to choose a boiler which is ready built for it, or a natural gas boiler that can be adapted with a LPG conversion kit.

Oil

Oil boilers are very similar to gas boilers except they use oil to function instead of gas.

There are some factors you should consider when comparing oil to other fuel types:

• – You don’t have to be connected to the gas grid.
• – Oil is not available on-demand like gas or electricity. You have to monitor the amount of fuel and order it as needed.
• – Some suppliers will require you to pay for the oil in bulk, instead of being able to spread the cost out monthly.
• – An oil tank often requires a lot of space, so it may not be suitable for smaller properties.

Electric

Electric boilers work by running the water through an element which is heated by electricity. This hot water is then pumped to your taps and radiators when it is needed.

Here are some points of consideration concerning electric fuel:

• – Electric boilers are the most efficient type, with around 99% efficiency. It’s important to note, however, that this doesn’t mean electric boilers are environmentally friendly.
• – Electric boilers are compact, which usually makes them cheaper and easier to install.
• – You don’t have to be connected to the gas grid.
• – Electricity is costly compared to gas.
• – Can only heat small amounts of water at a time, so it is not ideal for larger properties with multiple bathrooms.
• – Not ideal for properties that are often affected by power cuts, due to its reliance on electricity.

A biomass boiler is another option you might’ve seen while browsing online. Biomass boilers are known for being a renewable and carbon-neutral alternative. They are not as common as the other fuel types but there are a few reputable biomass boiler manufacturers and models.

Comparing boilers by type of system

The type of boiler you choose is important as it needs to suit your home’s size and your demand for heating and hot water (depending on the number of radiators and bathrooms). There are 3 types of boiler systems: regular, system and combination (combi). You will need to know which type of boiler you have already so you can decide if you want to stick with the same or make a change.

Regular boilers

If you have a large tank of cold water in the attic and a hot water cylinder in an airing cupboard, you have a regular boiler, also known as a traditional or conventional boiler. Here are some advantages to keep in mind when comparing regular boilers to other types:

• – Large hot water storage capacity: Suitable for larger homes and those with a high demand for heating and hot water.
• – Save money: Newer condensing boilers can be up to 97% efficient, reducing your energy bills.
• – Immersion heater: This can be fitted so that you have backup hot water ready.
• – Environmentally-friendly options: Many regular boilers can be used in conjunction with solar panels.

However, with this being said, it’s advised to only install a regular boiler when it’s a like-for-like replacement. Otherwise, the installation costs can be very expensive. This is because they usually require complex pipe work which is time-consuming. A system boiler is likely a better alternative if you’re in need of a boiler with a large hot water storage capacity.

System boilers

If you have a hot water cylinder in an airing cupboard but no tank of water in the attic, you have a system boiler. System boilers have some advantages you should consider when comparing:

• – Easy installation: Installing a system boiler is usually a smoother process compared to a regular boiler due to many of the components being built into a system boiler.
• – Large hot water storage capacity: Good for larger or busier homes due to being able to store hot water in a cylinder.
• – Fast and economical: Due to the inclusion of a pump.
• – Environmentally-friendly options: Possible to use solar energy to heat the water.

Combination boilers

If you only have a boiler in your home (no cylinder or tank) and the boiler produces hot water on demand, you have a combi boiler.

There are many advantages to installing a combi boiler:

• – Compact: Combi boilers’ all-in-one units mean they can be installed easily and discreetly, as well as save you space
• – Efficient: All combi boilers in the UK have an efficiency level of approximately 92%. This will also lower your energy bills.
• – Hot water on demand: Combi boilers take water straight from the mains, meaning you can quickly access hot water with a stronger pressure.
• – Quiet: Combi boilers typically don’t make much noise; comparable to the noise level of a modest rainfall.

Compare boilers by brands/manufactures

There are many boiler manufacturers to choose from in the UK, which is great but can also be overwhelming. With our boiler comparison tool above you can compare 30+ brands, giving you a good insight into what’s currently available on the market. You can also compare up to 4 models side by side, so it’s easy to compare them on the factors that matter to you and keep track of your favourites.

Some of the most popular boiler brands in the UK in 2024 are:

• – Worcester Bosch
• – Baxi
• – Viessmann
• – Ideal
• – Vaillant

If you’re not sure about which boilers to compare when using the tool, the above brands are a good place to start.

Comparing boiler prices

When it comes to comparing new boilers, one of the most important factors to consider is price. A new boiler is an investment, however, you still need to consider what is realistic for your budget.

The price of a new boiler is dependent on a number of factors. Firstly, the type of boiler being installed – prices can range from as little as £400 right up to £3,000. Secondly, the installation price will vary from one heating engineer to another.

Factors that will affect heating engineers’ installation rates are:

• – The type of boiler being installed and whether it is the same type as your previous boiler.
• – Whether the new boiler is installed in the same location as your previous one or not.
• – Where you and your installer are based. For example, London installers are usually more expensive compared to other cities.

Below we’ve provided a table that gives you an estimated price comparison of the different boiler types. The prices below are based on averages for a 3-bedroom home. For more specific numbers you can use our tool above to compare various boiler models.

Compare boiler quotes

Now that you have a better idea of what boiler type you would like, the next step is to find an experienced engineer to install your boiler. It’s recommended that you get quotes from multiple engineers so you can find the best deal in your area.

When looking for a heating engineer it’s important to only ask for quotes from Gas Safe registered engineers, to ensure that your new boiler is installed legitimately and safely. At Boiler Guide, we only provide quotes from engineers with this accreditation so you don’t have to worry about it.

Requesting quotes online is a good place to start your search for a few reasons:

• – Save time and effort: with just one request you can compare up to 3 free quotes quickly and easily.
• – Receive quotes at any time: online forms are always available so you don’t need to worry about calling an engineer within working hours.
• – Save money: being able to compare multiple quotes at once means you can easily choose the best price for you without second-guessing.

If you’re ready to see what offers are available in your area, you can click on the button below to compare boiler prices free of charge and choose the best boiler for your home.

Get 3 FREE quotes from local engineers

FAQs

Which boiler is most reliable?
Worcester Bosch’s Greenstar models are known for their reliability. However, there are some other manufacturers to look out for such as Baxi.

What is the best boiler in 2024?
The Worcester Bosch Greenstar 8000 is rated as one of the best boilers for 2024. The Viessmann Vitodens 100-W Combi Gas Boiler is also a popular choice this year.

What type of boiler is cheapest to run?
A gas combi boiler is the cheapest type of boiler to run. However, if a combi boiler is not suitable for your home then there are other options such as a system boiler.

What is the best boiler to buy in the UK?
The Worcester Bosch Greenstar 8000 is considered to be one of the best boilers available to buy in the UK. This is due to their high-efficiency rating, compact size, and the possibility of a 12-year warranty.

What are some combi boilers to avoid?
Ferroli is considered to be one of the worst boiler brands by both engineers and consumers. The main complaint that comes up in reviews is their lifespan. However, they are known to be some of the cheapest boilers on the market.

Reference

1. 1. Committee on Climate Change, Next Steps for UK Heat Policy; Annex 2 (2016)
   2. Energy Saving Trust, Fuel Prices and Carbon Factors (2022)
      Energy tariff figures for England, Scotland and Wales, as of April 2022.