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Glow-worm is a UK based heating company known for producing heating and energy products. The company was established in 1934 and has been in the heating business for more than 80 years. Glow-worm boilers are widely known for their reliability and high efficiency. If you are looking for Glow-worm Boilers in Cardiff, then you have come to the right place.
Glow-worm offers a selection of combi, system and regular gas boilers. Some of which are compatible with liquified petroleum gas (LPG). Their main 3 boiler ranges are the Energy range, the Ultimate3 range and the Easicom3 range, which are available across all boiler types. Glow-worm offer a wider selection of combi boiler models with their Betacom4 and Compact combi boiler models.
Are glow worms good boilers?
Yes, Glow-worm boilers are recognized as reliable and efficient heating appliances. They have a good reputation in the industry for providing quality products. Glow-worm is a well-established brand with a history of manufacturing boilers that offer excellent performance and durability. However, it’s important to consider factors such as your specific heating needs, budget, and professional advice when selecting a boiler for your home. Conducting thorough research and consulting with experts can help you determine if a Glow-worm boiler is the right choice for you.
Glow-worm boiler range
Glow-worm manufacturers different types of boilers, including combi, system and regular gas boilers. Their boilers are compatible with liquified petroleum gas (LPG).
Glow-worm has 3 main boiler ranges. These are:
- Energy range
- Ultimate3 range
- Easicom3 range
These ranges are available in all boiler types. If you’re looking for a combi boiler, then the Betacom4 is available with different models.
What are the best Glow-worm boiler models?
Glow-worm Energy range is one of their most popular products. These boilers are equipped with an aluminium heat exchanger of high quality. What is more, they come with a standard 7-year warranty period and a bright LCD display which is easy to read.
What are the main features of Glow-worm Energy combi boiler?
- To suit your requirements, these boilers can have a top or read flue.
- Most models of this range are Quite Mark approved with the exception of 30kW models.
- They can be installed in a kitchen cupboard due to their compact size.
What is a combi boiler?
Combi boilers are one of the most popular options for people to install in 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 provides 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.
What are the Advantages of Combi Boilers?
1. 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.
2. They are small in size
A combi boiler is perfect for a house that is small in size. You will not need to have space for a water tank or cylinder due to the fact that a combi boiler takes water from the mains directly.
3. 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.
4. 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 Installationplace.
What are the Disadvantages of Combi Boilers?
It’s worth mentioning that their advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
1. The Flow Rate is Limited
Using two or more taps at the same time will reduce the water flow rate. For one thing, a combi boiler is not recommended for those who live in larger homes or those who have multiple bathrooms.
3. 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
What are the main features of Glow-worm Energy system boiler?
- This model is available in different outputs starting from 12kW to 30 kW.
- All models of this range can be fitted with a rear or a top flue.
- Most of the models are Quite Mark approved with the exception of the 15kW and the 30kW models.
What is a system boiler?
A System boiler consists of a separate cylinder to store hot water. Hot water is kept in the cylinder despite the fact that the main heating and hot water system parts are put within the boiler. As a result, the hot water supply can support more than one tap and shower at the same time. That’s why a system boiler is the perfect option for homes with multiple bathrooms.
Read about: Best combi boilers & boiler brands
What are the Advantages of System Boilers?
A large supply of hot water
Generally, with a system boiler you can store large quantities of hot water to use later on. This is very useful when you are using multiple taps, showers and radiators at the same time.
The ability to use solar energy.
Without a doubt, connecting the correct cylinder to the system will enable you to use solar panels. This is not only environmentally friendly but it is also cost-effective and will save you some money.
Needs less space than a regular boiler
Of course, system boilers are easier to install and need less space than regular boilers. Moreover, they do not need an expansion tank or external expansion vessels
Economical and fast
Lastly, system boilers consist of a pump. As a result, they respond fast and have more economic running cost.
Important things to consider in System Boilers
There are also some drawbacks to installing a system boiler that you should keep in mind. Here are a few of them:
System boilers need more space than combi boilers
Although they take less space than regular boilers, they still require more space than combi boilers because of the external cylinder. Overall, this can be a huge problem in smaller homes when it comes to installations.
Busier times means more patience
Firstly, your cylinder will be sized in advance to cover your household need of water (usually 50 litres of hot water stored per person). However, in times when you have more visitors than usual and your use of hot water is doubled, your hot water storage may run dry. As a result, you will have to wait 30-40 minutes while your boiler is reheating the cylinder again.
Read about: New Boiler Quote
What are the main features of Glow-worm Energy regular boiler?
- A bright LCD display.
- Compact in size and can be installed in a cupboard.
- To reduce energy consumption and lower bills, it has an aluminium heat exchanger.
What is a regular (heat only) boiler?
A regular boiler is the traditional heating system you can find all across the UK. It is also known as a heat only boiler or a conventional boiler. All in all, a regular boiler consists of a big tank of water in the loft and a hot water cylinder in an airing cupboard. If you have these two items in your home, then you have a regular boiler.
Read more: Glow-Worm Boiler Error Codes / Fault Codes
What are the advantages of Regular Boilers?
To get what you exactly need, you should take a look at the pros and cons of regular boilers. There are a lot of things to think of when it comes to choosing the most suitable boiler for you. So here are some of the most important things to keep in mind:
Replacement is simple and easy
Replacing your old regular boiler with a newer version is less costly and damaging to your home. So it’s always the safer option to go with if you don’t want to spend a lot or worry about damages.
Meets your high demand of heating and hot water
If you have a home with multiple bathrooms, then a regular boiler is a great choice. It can meet your demand for hot water and heating. With a large capacity to store hot water, it means that you can use several taps and outlets at the same time.
More efficiency
Older boilers with no condensing technology should be replaced with a condensing boiler. Condensing boilers are more efficient and consume less energy. As a result, they will reduce the cost of your heating bills. Nowadays, some regular boilers are 97% efficient.
Able to have an immersion heater as a backup
A backup immersion heater would make sure that you don’t go out without hot water in case your boiler breaks down. The immersion heater would be fitted in the hot water cylinder.
Solar compatibility
Presently, you can use solar thermal panels to produce hot water using solar power. Just make sure that your cylinder and the model you buy are compatible with solar thermal.
Read about: Combi boilers common faults
What are the disadvantages of Regular Boilers?
Hot water isn’t always instant in busier times
Once you use all the stored hot water in your cylinder, you have to wait for some time to be able to use hot water again. Always buy a cylinder with the capacity to meet your hot water demands and needs.
Needs lots of space
Regular boilers need space for the water tank and the hot water cylinder. That’s why it’s not a good choice for smaller homes that don’t have much space. For smaller homes, a combi boiler is more suitable.
Installation can be costly
Because there are many parts to be installed around the house, a new boiler installation can be pricey. Aside from being expensive it can also take a lot of time.
Read about: Different Types Of Reliable Boiler Systems
How much do Glow-worm boilers cost?
Glow Worm System Boiler Prices start from £540 up to £1,230. Their combi boilers can cost between £540 to £1,234. As for their system boilers, you can expect to pay between £595 to £850. And for a regular boiler the cost is between £685 to £890.
Read more: Best Combi Boilers To Buy
FAQs
How long do Glow-worm boilers last?
Glow-worm boilers can last as long as 10 to 15 years. To make your boiler last for a long time, it is recommended that you service it regularly.
Are Glow-worm boilers hydrogen ready?
At present, all Glow-worm boilers are being tested using 20% hydrogen. It is speculated that 20% hydrogen mix could be introduced into the gas grid as early as 2023.
Are Glow-worm boilers quiet?
Many Glow-worm boilers come with Quiet Mark approval. In other words, they’ve been tested and awarded for their low-noise operation.