When you’re searching for a heating engineer in Tavistock to install a new system, one of the first questions we’re often asked is: “What type of boiler should I choose?” It’s an important decision that will affect your home’s comfort and energy bills for years to come. At GasJack, we’ve installed thousands of boilers across the Southwest, and we’re here to help you understand your options.
The Three Main Boiler Types
Modern domestic boilers generally fall into three categories, each with distinct advantages depending on your home and lifestyle:
1. Combi Boilers
Combination boilers provide both heating and hot water directly from one unit, without requiring separate water tanks.
Ideal for:
- Smaller properties with limited space
- Homes with 1-2 bathrooms
- Properties with good water pressure
- Households with modest hot water demands
Advantages:
- Space-saving design (no tanks required)
- Hot water on demand
- Economical to install
- Efficient operation with minimal heat loss
Limitations:
- May struggle if multiple showers/taps are used simultaneously
- Not ideal for areas with very low water pressure
- Less suitable for larger households with high hot water demand
2. System Boilers
System boilers work with a hot water cylinder but don’t require a cold water tank in the loft.
Ideal for:
- Medium to large properties
- Homes with multiple bathrooms
- Households needing simultaneous hot water from several outlets
Advantages:
- Can deliver hot water to multiple taps simultaneously
- Compatible with solar thermal systems
- Better suited to areas with lower water pressure
- More economical than conventional systems
Limitations:
- Requires space for a hot water cylinder
- Hot water can run out and need time to reheat
- Generally more expensive than combi boilers
3. Regular/Conventional Boilers
Also called traditional or heat-only boilers, these systems use both a hot water cylinder and cold water tanks in the loft.
Ideal for:
- Older properties with existing traditional heating systems
- Large homes with multiple bathrooms and high hot water demand
- Properties with low water pressure
- Homes where significant radiator use occurs simultaneously
Advantages:
- Excellent for high hot water demand
- Works well with very low water pressure
- Ideal for like-for-like replacements in older properties
Limitations:
- Requires the most space (cylinder plus water tanks)
- Less efficient due to heat loss from stored water
- Generally more complex and expensive to install
Choosing Based on Your Property Type
Your home’s characteristics play a significant role in determining the most suitable boiler:
For Flats and Small Houses
Combi boilers are typically the best choice, offering space-saving benefits and sufficient performance for smaller properties.
For Medium-Sized Family Homes
System boilers often provide the ideal balance, offering good hot water capacity without requiring loft space for tanks.
For Large Properties
Regular/conventional systems or larger system boilers typically work best, especially if you have multiple bathrooms in use simultaneously.
Energy Efficiency Considerations
Modern boilers of all types are considerably more efficient than older models, with most achieving A-rated efficiency. However, there are still differences worth noting:
- Combi boilers often achieve the highest efficiency ratings for smaller properties
- System boilers with well-insulated cylinders offer excellent efficiency
- Regular boilers typically have slightly lower overall efficiency due to heat loss from stored water
A new A-rated boiler could save you up to £300 annually compared to an older G-rated system, making the upgrade cost-effective over time.
Additional Factors to Consider
Future-Proofing
Consider your future plans. Will your family grow? Might you add an extension or another bathroom? These factors could influence your choice toward a system or regular boiler even if a combi seems sufficient now.
Water Pressure
If your property suffers from low water pressure, a conventional system might be necessary. Your heating engineer in Tavistock can test your pressure during a consultation.
Compatibility with Renewables
If you’re considering solar thermal or other renewable technologies in the future, system and regular boilers work best with these additions.
Making Your Final Decision
At GasJack, we recommend having a qualified heating engineer assess your property before making your final decision. Our experts can conduct a thorough evaluation of your home, considering:
- Your household’s hot water usage patterns
- Available space for components
- Water pressure in your area
- Energy efficiency goals
- Future-proofing requirements
- Budget constraints
By weighing all these factors, we can recommend the perfect boiler type for your specific circumstances.
Need Expert Advice?
If you’re still uncertain about which boiler type would best suit your home, our experienced boiler installers in Tavistock are just a phone call away. Contact GasJack today on 01752 659458 for a free consultation and quote tailored to your property’s specific needs.
