A Detailed Guide to Home Heating Boilers

A major capital and ongoing expense in your household budget is the provision of energy for heating your home. Heating bills account for around 60% of the average UK homeowner’s energy spend. The householder is faced with a bewildering choice of heating systems and this guide will assist you in examining your options.

But, before you consider a heating system, you should first take a look at your house. Check whether it’s insulated properly. Your home should be regulated to the current Building Regulation Standards insulation or better. Also, windows and doors should be draught proofed. This allows minimum ventilation rates which ensures good air quality and avoids condensation. However, be careful not to overseal the house as this can be unhealthy and unsafe.

Let’s look at the different boilers for home heating options available today

Open Fires


Fuel and gas open fires, while a visually attractive form of heating for UK homes, are extremely inefficient. Typically, they offer only 15% to 20% efficiency, meaning that up to 80% of the heat literally goes up the chimney. Open fires require air for combustion and cause an increased ventilation rates in rooms. A damper that closes the chimney when not in use will help avoid unnecessary heat loss

Conventional Boiler


Gas, oil or solid fuel boilers, located inside or outside the house, heat water which is then distributed by pump or gravity circulation to heat emitters (radiators) in each room. New boilers can achieve good efficiencies (minimum seasonal efficiency of 86%) when installed, commissioned, and serviced effectively. Distribution pipes for all boilers should be well insulated and water proofed to minimise the heat loss.

System Boiler


System boilers require a cylinder for storing hot water, however the major heating and hot water system components are built into the boiler itself, making it quicker and easier to install. In addition, there is no need for a tank in the loft, so it can be an option in a home with little or no loft space or where the space is earmarked for a conversion. These boilers are also compatible with solar water heating systems, which deliver environmental benefits as well as lower energy bills.

Condensing Boiler


Condensing boilers burn gas or oil and condense their flue gases to achieve efficiencies of 91% or higher. Although more expensive than conventional boilers, their lower running costs mean the price difference will be recovered over the boiler’s lifetime. They emit a harmless plume of water vapour to the atmosphere during operation give as high as 90% efficiency. Since more than 50% of your energy bill is from boilers, you can save a large sum of money if you replace your old boiler with a new one.

If you have decided to go for a new or replacement boiler, get a boiler installation quote from QuoteABoiler. We offer a free, no obligation service that matches you to vetted boiler specialists and suppliers in your local area. Save serious money on boilers for home heating by getting a boiler installation quote from QuoteABoiler.