Buying a new boiler can be incredibly expensive so it’s important to know what you should invest your money in. It’s widely known that combination (or “combi”) boilers are perhaps the most efficient option and therefore can help you save energy in the long run. However, aside from the obvious energy-saving benefits (indeed, you could save up to £300 on your energy bills!), why else should you be considering a combi boiler for your home.
1. Installation is incredibly simple and straightforward (not to mention cheaper) as long as you use a gas safe verified engineer to install your gas combi boiler. Not only that, but they are easier to service too, as their popularity means that most engineers will know their way around it with little fuss and spare parts are much easier to source.
2. Combi boilers are, by their very nature, much smaller than conventional heating systems as they don’t need the space for a separate water tank. This means they are perfect for smaller homes or flats.
3. Because the water is always being fed directly from the mains (and not having to pass through any water tanks) it’s always safe to drink, which is not necessarily the case with conventional systems. There is also less build-up in combi boiler systems, so it’s a much cleaner option for most.
4. There’s no bulky water tank to heat up which means your water will get hotter faster. This speed increase can be a godsend for those of us that like to quickly jump in the shower in the morning.
5. The energy efficiency you’ll enjoy with a combi boiler won’t only save you money but will be a major help to the environment. Not only that but when you come to sell your house, the resulting score on your Energy Performance Certificate could be a real selling point.
Note that for larger homes, combi boilers might not be the most sensible option because it’s not possible to run more than one hot water faucet at any one time. If you live in a home with multiple showers and baths then this could be a major drawback. There’s also no immersion heater, so if your combi boiler breaks down then you will be without hot water until it’s fixed.
Overall, however, the benefits comfortably outweigh the drawbacks, so if you have yet to make the switch to a combi boiler, it might be the perfect time to do so this summer once lockdown has lifted. You’ll certainly be thankful once winter hits!