Types of Boilers – Which Boiler is Best

• Combi Boilers – Short for Combination Boiler, these don’t need extra storage tanks, and provide heating and hot water directly from the boiler.  If you haven’t got a large house with many bathrooms, then a combi boiler may be the best option for you.  Combi boilers are also generally cheaper and easier to install, which saves you money and time upfront.
• Conventional Boilers – These are also called standard boilers. Conventional or standard boilers require a cold water tank in the loft, and a hot water cylinder elsewhere in the house.  If your house has more than 2 bathrooms, you may need one of these.
• System Boilers – The heating and hot water components are built into the boiler.  It needs a cylinder for storing hot water.  Unlike a standard boiler, you don’t need a cold water tank in your loft.

Which boiler is best?  No single type of a boiler is best in all situations.  Combi boilers are best for smaller properties, and standard/conventional and system boilers suit larger homes.

Which boiler is best for the size of your house?

When you’re in the market for a new boiler, the biggest and most important decision is obviously choosing the right boiler size for your house.  Which, again, depends on the size of your house and the number of bathrooms, which will determine your heating and hot water requirements.  What’s great with modern condensing boilers is that even if you buy a larger capacity boiler, they modulate energy usage depending on the load.  However if you’re moving from a flat to a detached house, your old boiler will not work in your larger new home.  Let’s take a brief look at the types of boilers suitable for your property type:

Flat/1-2 bedroom house – 1 bathroom

If the property size is small, say a house with 1-2 bedrooms, or a 1 bedroom flat, with no more than 1 bathroom, you don’t need a high capacity boiler.  Whilst you may have a system boiler, and do not want to change your overall system, we would still recommend conversion to a combi (only if your cold water pressure is good).  Below are the best boilers in this category:

Please note: The prices above are from an online plumbing wholesaler for the boiler only, and do not cover installation costs or other extras.

Boilers listed above are mainly gas boilers, but can be used for LPG as well with an LPG conversion kit.  Obviously, because combi boilers provide heating and hot water “on-demand” and don’t require additional water tanks, they are not suitable for larger properties with more bathrooms.  Where there is a chance of 2 or more people using the shower at the same time.

Semi-Detached, Mid or End Terraced House – 3 Bedrooms – 2 Bathrooms

A 3-4 bedroom house will usually have one bathroom, an en suite and maybe a toilet.  A higher capacity (28KW  to 35KW) powerful combi boiler should work well for a property of this size.  A new, energy efficient conventional boiler (18kW-24kW), with a water tank, could also be an option.  It is best to talk to a qualified installer to receive the best advice for your situation.

These are our recommendations of the best boilers for an average 3 bedroom house in 2017.

Please note: The prices above are from an online plumbing wholesaler for boiler only, and do not cover the installation costs or any extras.

Again, all boiler models shown above (except Grant) can be used for Gas or LPG (with an LPG conversion kit).

Detached House/Bungalow – 4+ Bedrooms – Multiple bathrooms

Obviously, as your house size goes up, so will your heating and hot water demands.  Which means a more powerful boiler is required to heat and provide hot water to your larger property.  Which boiler is best for a larger house?  We would not recommend a smaller capacity combi boiler for a property this size.  No expert will, because small capacity combi boilers simply won’t be able to cope with multiple showers and appliances at the same time.  However there are some high capacity combi boilers with storage tanks which might be suitable.

Our recommendations for the best boilers for a larger detached house, bungalow with more than 4 bedrooms and more than 3 bathrooms are:

Please note: The prices above are from an online plumbing wholesaler for boiler only, and do not cover the installation costs or any extras.

Best UK Boiler Brands in 2018 – Which Boiler is Best

Now that we’ve looked at which boiler is best for your property type, let’s take a look at best boiler brands in the UK.  The list below is in no way in order of preference.  All the boiler brands listed below are established manufacturers in the UK with great reputation.

• Viessmann
• Grant
• Worcester Bosch
• Vaillant
• Ideal
• Baxi
• Glow Worm

Boiler manufacturers such as Viessmann, Worcester Bosch and Vaillant are trusted names not just within the UK and Europe, but all around the world.  So, do we have a definite answer for which boiler is best among the ones listed above?  Not really.  We believe we have given you enough relevant facts and information above, so you can make an educated, informed decision.  At the end of the day, the decision to buy a boiler should be driven by undeniable facts, figures, unbiased reviews over personal preference.  A lot of people make emotional decisions based on national pride, old reputation or word of mouth opinions not backed up by facts.  Having said that, if you choose any one of the boilers listed above, you will be buying a quality product.  However there are always subtle or major differences below the surface.  Our job is to illustrate those differences and make the buying decision easier for you.

Viessmann and Grant UK – Best Boiler Brands in 2018

Both Viessmann and Grant have been awarded “Best Buy Boiler” awards by various independent publications in 2017.  More info on both of them below:

Viessmann named Best Buy Boiler

Grant UK named Best Buy Oil Boiler

This was one of the biggest reasons we decided to work with these two manufacturers.  Even though we have a close working relationship with Viessmann and Grant, we are not biased, and prefer to go by facts.  Furthermore, we like to help our customers with the best possible information, so that there are fewer and fewer complaints over the long term.  That should be the goal for any successful business.

Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger vs Aluminium Heat Exchangers

Both, Viessmann and Grant UK, use heat exchangers made out of stainless steel for their boilers, compared to all other brands using aluminium heat exchangers sourced by a third party manufacturer.  Stainless steel is much, much more durable than aluminium.  Not only that, it is highly corrosion resistant.  A heat exchanger is to a boiler, what an engine is to a car.  The boiler cannot run efficiently and trouble-free for years to come if the components at the heart of it are not working at their highest efficiency and are not tough enough.  Which is one of the many reasons why we rate these brands highly, and chose to work with them.  One of the main goals for a business is the least amount of repair or remedial work post-installation, which is what keeps customers happy.  And that is our number one priority at the end of the day, to keep you smiling.

For a free online quote for best boilers in the UK, please enter your postcode below and hit the green button.

Get Best Boilers in the UK for FREE

If you are on the market for a new boiler and are looking at which boiler is best in 2018 online, you could get one for free!

The UK Government offers a free boiler grant under the ECO (Energy Company Obligation) Scheme, if you’re on any one of the following benefits:

• Pension Guarantee Credit.
• Child Tax Credits/Working Tax Credits.
• Income Related ESA.
• Income Based JSA.
• Pension Guarantee Credits?
• Income Support?
• Universal Credits?

OFGEM.Gov.UK – About the ECO Scheme

If you would like to check whether you qualify or to apply online, please click the link below:

Apply Online for a FREE Oil Boiler Grant