What are combi boilers?
Combi boilers are one of the most popular options for people to install in the recent years. If you are living in an average sized home, then combi boilers are your best choice. But what are they and how do they work?
The word Combi stands for combination boiler. This single unit both provide hot water and heating. That’s why they are better than older systems that consist of an immersion heater which uses water from a tank way up.
With the older system, hot water wasn’t always on-demand. To have hot water, you need to turn on the water heater in advance. Not to mention the high cost and the amount of money of operating these older systems. Furthermore, an older system is much larger and needs a lot of space.
Why are combi boilers so popular?
Combi boilers have two functions (providing hot water and heating). As a result, they are very efficient. Green Combi boilers are up to 98% more efficient. Their compact shape and design makes them perfect for homes with limited space. They can also be installed in kitchen cupboards.
What are the Advantages of Combi Boilers?
A combi boiler is very efficient
A combi boiler is very efficient when it comes to energy consumption. It would save you a lot of money since it can be used for both providing hot water and heating your home.
They are small in size
A combi boiler is perfect for a house that is small in size. You will not need to make space for water tank or cylinder due to that fact that a combi boiler takes water from the mains directly.
On-demand hot water
With a combi boiler you don’t need to worry about having enough water in the hot water storage. It will provide hot water instantly.
Installation Flexibility
Combi boilers are relatively small and consist of a single unit. As a result, they can offer more flexibility when it comes to their Installation place.
Read about : Top UK Combi Boilers
Best combi boilers & boiler brands
What are the Disadvantages of Combi Boilers?
It’s worth mentioning that their advantages outweigh the disadvantages
The Flow Rate is Limited
Using two or more taps at the same time will reduce the water flow rate. For one thing, we don’t recommend a combi boiler for those who live in larger homes or those who have multiple bathrooms.
Relying on water pressure from the mains
A combi boiler heats the water coming from the mains. It won’t work adequately if your water pressure is low.
In conclusion…
- Perfect for homes with limited space
- A hot water storage cylinder and a cold water tank are not needed
- Unsuitable for larger homes with many bathrooms or a high demand for hot water
- Inadequate for places with low water pressure
The right Combi Boilers size for you.
When we talk about boiler size, we do not mean its dimensions, but rather its power output.
The unit of measurement, used for Combi Boilers, is the kilowatt (kW). To clarify, the bigger the kilowatts, the greater the capacity of the boiler to match your demands for hot water and central heating.
We advise that you get a small (low power) combi boiler if you have a small home with only one bathroom.
On the other hand, you will need a much bigger boiler if you live in larger property with more than one bathroom.
Read more about:
Vaillant Combi Boilers Reviews
Here’s what you need to know about Minimum kW Size:
| NO. OF BEDRROMS | 1 bath & shower | 2 baths & showers | |
| 2-beedrom house | 26 kW | 29 kW | Get Quotes |
| 3-bedroom house | 29 KW | 35 kW | Get Quotes |
| 4-bedroom house | 29 KW | 35 KW | Get Quotes |
| 5-bedrrom house | 35 KW | 35 KW | Get Quotes |
How do Combi Boilers work?
Cold water runs through the combi boilers directly from the main water source. In order to produce heat, the gas fuel is burned. The heat is then transformed from the combustion chamber to the water through a heat exchanger.
Your thermostat would know when the temperatures drop in your house. Subsequently, it will send a signal to the combi boiler which would fire up and heat your home.
The minute the required heat is reached, your combi boiler would decrease the produced heat and keep the status quo. As a result, it will reduce your energy waste as well as keep your house warm.
A Combi boiler directs hot water to any outlet you are using such as a hot tap, a shower or a bath. When you turn off the tap, the central heating duties will be back in action.
Keep in mind that your Combi boiler directs hot water to the water outlets or the central heating, but not both at the same time.
Is a Combi Boilers the perfect choice for your home?
Combi Boilers take water directly from the mains water supply in your home. To provide an appropriate water flow, they rely on the pressure coming from the mains.
So if the pressure from the mains is not strong enough, a combi boiler is not, therefore, suitable for your home.
A combi Boiler comes with two outputs; one for how water and the other is for home heating. Hot water for central heating takes less effort than on-demand hot water. That’s why it’s crucial to choose a boiler that corresponds with your hot water demands.
Another key point is that if you live in large home with many bathrooms, then a system boiler is what you need.
Read about:
Viessmann Combi Boilers Reviews
What is meant by a Condensing Boilers?
The terms condensing and non-condensing can be confusing to people shopping for a new boiler.
Presently, it is stated by law that new boilers must use condensing technology. In short, you don’t have to worry about getting a condensing boiler.
Condensing is not a type of boiler, but rather technical feature. In a Condensing boiler you get a much bigger heat exchanger. They also produce additional heat from the fuel. The same fuel that would have been wasted in a non- Condensing boiler. As a result, they are more efficient.
non-condensing boilers are less efficient by 50% since a lot of heat was lost in the combustion exhaust gases. On the other hand, new boilers would capture this heat and use it to heat water.
condensing boilers are energy efficient by 90%. They use excess energy to heat your property. Not to mention, they are environmentally friendly and reduce your heating bill.
Read about:
How long will a combi boilers last?
Of course, boilers differ in quality and their lifespan. When buying a new boiler, it is important to keep this in mind.
You might be tempted to buy a cheap boiler in order to save some money. But this is not a good investment in the long run. A low-quality boiler will eventually cost you more on repairs.
In estimate, combie boilers last 10-15 years. But surely this will depend on the quality of the boiler you buy and how often do you have it serviced.
You can easily know the quality of a boiler from the warranty they offer. For instance, A boiler with a 10-year warranty have a higher quality than a boiler with a 5-year warranty.
Can I get the next-day boiler installation?
Yes, you can get next-day boiler installation with Cardiff Boiler Service. If you order your boiler before 12 pm during the colder months, and 2 pm in the warmer months.
This is next-day boiler fitting nationwide in England, Wales and Scotland. So you do not have to be without heating for long, even in the depths of winter.
Not many boiler companies can fit a boiler at such short notice nationwide. If you need a boiler, get a quote from us as soon as possible.
How long should it take?
Boiler installations can take different amounts of time to complete due to such a varied amount of work for each particular home or business.
Replacing an already-existing combi boiler with a new one should take 3-6 hours.
Replacing a heat-only boiler with a combi or a system boiler would take 1-2 days.
Installation energy regulations
Over the last few years, the UK has passed some guidelines for boiler installation and energy efficiency:
- Gas boilers should have at least a 92% ErP efficiency regardless of boiler type.
- A Combi boiler installation should have one energy-saving feature.
- You should have functioning time and temperature controls.
- So why Cardiff Boiler Service?
- Cardiff Boiler Service Are Quality & Accredited Boiler Installers
- Firstly, Cardiff Boiler Service professional engineers and emergency plumbers provide a professional and reliable plumbing and heating service. Accordingly, that includes Boiler Installation in Cardiff and the surrounding CF postcode area in South Wales.
- Secondly, our boiler installation and repair team is fully qualified and ensured to the highest standards. As can be seen, we take pride in producing exemplary work standards which include completing all boiler installation needs.
- Thirdly, the Cardiff Boiler Service team are high-quality professional engineers who have a high 4.9 out of 5 Trustpilot score by our previous happy customers. We are fully accredited by Gas Safe and Corgi registered, as well as FCA approved for all of our financial transactions.
- Lastly, all of our staff at Cardiff Boiler Service are experts in their field and have many years of experience. Above all, we have work on a wide selection of emergency plumbing, heating solutions and services throughout Cardiff, the rest of Wales & the UK.
- Because we care
- Are you still a little confused about where to start or who to use?
- Our easy-to-use online questionnaire will help you with what you need to know. In short, we make sure that you have the correct solution for your needs. We will also ensure that you are completely happy with the solution.
Why else?
- We work in Cardiff and the surrounding areas of South Wales.
- We are reliable, professional and trustworthy.
- High Trustpilot score of 4.9 out of 5.
- We can travel anywhere throughout the UK.
- Gas Safe Accredited (corgi registered).
- Our finance is FCA accredited.
- We provide a 12-month snag guarantee.
- Our prices are very competitive.
- We make sure your house is kept clean and tidy during work.
- Our workmen use floor protection.
- We dispose of your rubbish correctly.