Regular (Conventional) Boiler Guide
Traditional boiler requiring both a hot water cylinder and cold water storage tank.
UK Market Share
15%
Avg Efficiency
90%
Price Range
£600 - £1,800
Typical Warranty
10yr
What Does a Regular (Conventional) Boiler Look Like?
Typical regular (conventional) boiler installation in a UK home
How Regular (Conventional) Boilers Work
Overview
Regular boilers, also known as conventional, traditional, or heat-only boilers, are the oldest type of boiler system. They require both a hot water cylinder and a cold water storage tank (typically in the loft). While less common in new installations, they are still found in many older UK properties.
The Process:
Cold water from the storage tank in your loft feeds down to the boiler. The boiler heats this water, which is then stored in the hot water cylinder until needed. A separate feed from the cold water tank supplies the central heating system. The system relies on gravity to provide water pressure.
System Diagram
Complete system layout showing water flow and heating distribution
Regular (Conventional) Boiler Pros and Cons
Advantages
Works with low water pressure
Ideal for areas with poor mains water pressure as it uses gravity feed.
Simultaneous hot water to many taps
Can supply multiple bathrooms at once from the stored hot water.
Compatible with older systems
Works with existing pipework and radiators in older properties.
Immersion heater backup
Hot water cylinder can have an immersion heater as emergency backup.
High hot water volume
Large cylinder can store significant amounts of hot water for high demand.
How Regular (Conventional) Boilers compare to other types
Disadvantages
Takes up most space
Requires both cylinder and cold water tank in loft.
Higher installation costs
Most complex system to install with most components.
Heat loss from cylinder and tank
More heat lost from stored water reduces efficiency.
Risk of freezing pipes
Cold water tank in loft vulnerable in very cold weather.
Longer heat-up time
Takes longer to heat water compared to modern systems.
More maintenance points
More components means more potential failure points.
Is a Regular (Conventional) Boiler Right for Your Home?
Suitability Overview
✓ Best suited for:
Older properties with existing conventional systems, large homes with very high hot water demand, properties with multiple bathrooms, areas with poor or unreliable mains water pressure, homes with traditional pipework
✗ Not suitable for:
Modern homes, properties with limited loft space, flats, homes where space is limited, properties with good mains water pressure where modern alternatives are more efficient
Ideal property types
Detailed Suitability by Property Type
| Property | Beds | Baths | Score | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached House | 5 | 3 | 8/10 | Good Suitable for large houses with poor water pressure |
| Detached House | 4 | 2 | 7/10 | Good Works well in older detached houses with existing system |
| Bungalow | 3 | 2 | 6/10 | Fair Can work in larger bungalows with loft space |
| Terraced House | 2 | 1 | 3/10 | Poor Space requirements too high for typical terraced house |
| Flat | 1 | 1 | 2/10 | Not Recommended Takes too much space, modern alternatives better |
Space Requirements & Installation
Components You'll Need Space For
Boiler unit
RequiredSize: 800mm H x 600mm W x 400mm D
Location: Utility room or garage
Hot water cylinder
RequiredSize: 1600mm H x 500mm diameter
Location: Airing cupboard
Cold water tank
RequiredSize: 900mm H x 600mm W x 400mm D
Location: Loft space
Typical Installation
Professional installation takes 1-2 days depending on your existing system
Annual Running Costs
What You'll Pay Each Year
Small (1-2 bed)
£1120
per year (estimated)
Medium (3-4 bed)
£1645
per year (estimated)
Large (4+ bed)
£2170
per year (estimated)
💡 Tip: Running costs vary based on your heating usage, insulation quality, and local energy prices. These figures are UK averages based on typical usage patterns.
Popular Regular (Conventional) Boiler Models
| Manufacturer | Model | Output | Efficiency | Price | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester Bosch | Greenstar Ri Regular | 30 kW | 93% | £1,100 | 10 years |
| Baxi | Duo-tec Regular | 33 kW | 93% | £1,000 | 7 years |
Prices shown are for the boiler unit only. Installation costs typically range from £1,000 - £2,500. Get free quotes from local installers for accurate pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I replace my regular boiler with a combi?
It depends on your home. If you have good mains pressure, limited space, and 1-2 bathrooms, a combi is usually better. For larger homes with multiple bathrooms, consider a system boiler instead.
Are regular boilers still being installed?
They are rarely installed in new builds but are sometimes replaced like-for-like in older properties where the existing system works well and space isn't an issue. Modern alternatives are usually preferred.
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