Choosing the optimal boiler
Choosing the optimal boiler
When you choose your next gas fired boiler there are a number of matters you want to take into account. cost will be high on your list but you also need to think of other matters, the quantity of hot water required at any time is also important, how much space you have in your home and loft together with how much gas boiler will consume over its lifetime.
The most common gas boiler types are:-
Stand alone domestic back boilers
It is not uncommon to see back boilers in older housing stock, being fitted in the chimney they were sheltered from view, the coal fire often hid the back boiler which was behind it. These are now only fitted as a replacement and they have some drawbacks such as low internal water pressure, it is space-hungry and you will want a place to both install and hide this type of boiler. A replacement back boiler even so could be your best option if you already have one.
Domestic back boilers have not been very cost-efficient in the past, but the more recent versions are more cost-effective, so by substituting your old back boiler, you could make large savings on your annual heating charges.
Modern Combination gas fired boilers
In recent years the most popular type of heating boiler sold is the combi boiler. They are economic and small enabling them to be fitted into small spaces. You will not have to wait for hot water to heat up as they heat cold water direct – and your hot water supply will be endless.
Combi gas boilers are more cost-efficient than the other gas fired boiler types. Heat losses are reduced as there is no hot water storage cylinder The downside of this is that combi central heating boilers sometimes struggle to supply several hot water taps concurrently.
Unvented central heating heating boilers
Your central heating system heating boiler will use a hot water cylinder to store previously generated hot water. You may want to install this in the airing cupboard taking up precious space. The other central heating system component parts to be integrated into the heating boiler simplifying the installation.
An advantage of the hot water tank is that it facilitates the drawing of several streams of hot water at the same time. You will also get great water pressure.
Open vent system heating boilers
an open vent gas boiler is the typical system in most peoples families. The open vent boiler requires to water tanks to be fitted in the loft, a lot of valuable storage space is needed as the hot water storage is also required in the airing cupboard.
One cylinder takes in water from the mains supply and feeds the hot water storage cylinder.
The second is called the feed and expansion and this enables the water in your central heating system to expand and contract. Several taps or showers and baths can be run simultaneously but the hot water tank does have a limited capacity.