How to Save on Your Energy Bills with a Boiler
Did you know you could save up to £580 on your energy bills by replacing your boiler? You might think: boilers only cost money, so how can you save money if you get a new one? Simple: by replacing your old boiler with an energy efficient one you could save up to £580 on a yearly basis.
What is a boiler?
First things first, let's explain what a boiler is and how it works. A boiler is the most important part of a central heating system as it produces hot water for your taps and heats your radiators.
A boiler is usually a wall-mounted unit which burns a type of fuel like gas, oil or LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) to heat the water in your home. Not all boilers work in the same way, so it's important to know the different types.
Type of boilers
There are three types of boilers: regular (also known as conventional or traditional), system and combi.
| Regular boilers |
|---|
| This boiler will produce hot water for your central heating system, but needs an additional hot water cylinder to store hot water for your taps, baths and showers. Through gravity the boiler is fed cold water from a tank in the loft. |
| Learn more about regular boilers |
| System boilers |
| A system boiler is very much like a regular boiler in that it requires a hot water storage cylinder to store hot water for your taps, but it is supplied with cold water from the mains at a higher pressure. This means there is no need for a feed tank in the attic. |
| Learn more about regular boilers |
| Combi boilers |
| Combi boilers are the most commonly installed today as they have two heat exchangers and two hot water pipes. One is connected to your radiators and the other to your taps and showers. There is no need for a tank in the attic as the cold water comes from the mains supply and as it produces hot water on demand it does not require a storage cylinder. |
| Learn more about combi boilers |
How does a boiler work?
All types of boilers work a little differently. To get a better idea of how the different types of boilers work we made three simple diagrams:
How a regular boiler works
How a system boiler works
How a combi boiler works
Are you considering a new boiler?
If your boiler is more than 8 years old, it is probably becoming less reliable and more expensive to run. There's also a possibility it may break down completely. It would be smart to start looking for a new boiler.
The installation cost can vary between £500 - £1,000 on average (in addition to the new boiler cost itself) so when it comes to finding the most competitive price, we highly recommend comparing multiple quotes.
While a boiler replacement can be a big investment, it’s important to remember that a more energy efficient boiler could bring you significant savings in terms of reduced heating bills.
What kind of boiler is right for your home?
Choosing a boiler can be quite a task because there's so much to consider. And we bet you’d want to choose from only the best boilers available. For example the size of your property, the number of radiators but also if you have a connection to the national gas supply.
The number of bedrooms is also of influence. You can imagine a 3 bedroom house needs a smaller boiler than a 5 or more bedroom house. You can find out what size boiler you need for a 3 bed house in our comprehensive guide.
How does Boiler Guide find your new boiler?
To make finding multiple boiler quotes easier, use Boiler Guide to get free quotes from up to 3 heating engineers based in your local area. Simply take a few minutes to complete our online form and we’ll match the work you need doing with boiler engineers.
FAQ
Which is the best boiler to buy?
That is a difficult question to answer because no situation is the same. There are multiple factors to take into account e.g. number of radiators and bathrooms. We help you find the best boiler for your situation.
What are the 3 types of boilers?
There are 3 different types of boilers: regular, system and combi. There are also different fuel types like gas, oil and electricity. If you want to find the best boiler for your situation, simply use our boiler comparison tool.
How much does a new boiler cost roughly?
Multiple factors determine the cost of a boiler, like the number of radiators and bathrooms. It also depends on the brand you prefer. Installation costs excluded, the average price on Vaillant boilers for example is £850 - £2,700, whereas other brands like Worcester Bosch can go up to £3,000.
How long do boilers usually last?
Modern boilers usually have a lifespan of up to 15 years. That doesn't mean your boiler will last that long. If you think your boiler is broken or if there's something else wrong with it. Don't hesitate to upgrade to a new boiler.
Can I use a boiler for central heating?
Most system or regular boilers will provide hot water to taps and showers as they'll be installed alongside a hot water storage cylinder for hot water. If you don't want a cylinder or don't have room for it you might want to consider a combi boiler.