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Last updated: 2nd January, 2024

Guides

Best Oil Boilers 2024

Best Oil Boilers 2024

Key takeaways

  • Oil boilers, all though suited to some properties, are far less popular than gas boilers which account for 85% of the UK's boilers.
  • Oil boilers are available internally and externally.
  • Boilers should be upgraded every 10 - 15 years.

Various benefits come from having an oil boiler installed in your home, and this could be the right choice for you.

Boilers should be replaced every 10 to 15 years, and it might be time for your home to go through a renovation.

This is the ultimate guide to oil boilers in 2024 to help you upgrade your home so you can keep your family safe and warm in every season.

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What Is An Oil Boiler?

Before we can help you find the best oil boiler for your home, we first need to look into what this kind of heating system is.

Over 85% of the United Kingdom rely on gas-powered boilers for central heating and hot water, which might make oil boilers seem redundant, but they do have their uses.

Oil boilers are best for homes that cannot access the grid, as it still provides those in remote and rural areas control over their central heating and hot water.

Despite the decrease in popularity over the years, oil boilers continue to be cheaper than electricity and LPG heating systems.

In terms of the mechanics, gas and oil boilers work in the same way except that the fuel is stored differently.

The reason why oil boilers are best for people in remote areas is the fact the fuel does not come from the National Grid like gas boilers, but rather comes from a tank of oil that will be stored somewhere on the property.

If you do have an oil boiler, the tank of oil will be stored in a spacious location such as the garden or basement. This tank will need to be replaced more regularly than the boiler system.

Types of Oil Boilers

Oil boilers come in several different shapes and forms, which can make it even harder for you to find the right one for your home.

To help you find the best oil boiler in 2024, you need to first understand what your options are. If you are looking for a new oil boiler, you will need to consider the following types before you can look into the brands or contact an installer to complete the job.

External Oil Boilers

For some homes, the best option is getting an oil boiler installed outside of their home. This is called an external oil boiler, and it is the best option for those without a lot of storage space internally.

With an external oil boiler, there are a range of additional benefits as well maintaining space at home. When the boiler is outdoors, there is a reduced risk of carbon monoxide leaks and poisoning. The boiler outside also reduces the noise that these kinds of heating systems can create, giving you peace of mind and space.

Internal Oil Boilers

Internal oil boilers work the same way as external boilers, except they are installed inside of the home, meaning they are best for those with a lot of storage space.

Both internal and external oil boilers require an extra oil tank to be installed, as this is their power source.

While there are various benefits to getting an external oil boiler, the exposure that they face with the Great British weather is the main issue. This is not something that you have to worry about with an internal oil boiler, as they are installed within the home, they do not face a high risk of rust or freezing.

What is the Best Boiler System?

Regardless of what kind of boiler you have, whether that is a gas, oil, or LPG boiler, there are three kinds of system you can choose from:

Combi Boilers

Combi boilers, which means combination boiler, are a system that combines both hot water and central heating into one. They work by taking the cold water straight from the system and then heating the water on demand.

System Boilers

This kind of boiler system also gets the cold water direct from the mains, but unlike a combi boiler, it relies on a separate hot water cylinder for heating. This kind of system also provides instant hot water or heating, as it works on demand, but the cylinder does need to be filled up over time.

Regular Boilers

Regular or conventional, boilers get their cold water from a separate tank, which is usually stored in the attic of your home. This kind of heating system does not provide instant hot water, as the hot water is stored in a cylinder until you are ready to use it.

This cylinder, like with system boilers, does need to be refilled from time to time and this is something you will have to wait for when you require hot water or heating.

What is the Best Boiler for Me?

The best kind of boiler system will differ based on the size of your home and the demands for heating and hot water within the household.

This is something a boiler engineer can help you with, and the best ones will make sure that you have all of the information you need to determine which system is going to help keep your home warm without breaking the bank.

As well as finding the right boiler system, there are other steps involved in finding the best oil boilers in 2024.

Brand

Considering the brand of oil boiler is a good way to find the best ones. When it comes to finding the best brands, you must look into the reputation and longevity. The longer a brand has been around, the better it is likely to be.

Some of the top brands in the United Kingdom include Worcester Bosch, Firebird, Warmflow Utility, and Grant.

Warranty

This is something that will differ based on the brand of oil boiler, but all manufacturers should offer some kind of warranty for their products.

Boilers need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years, so it is best if you are going to be covered for the grand majority of this time. With a good warranty, replacements and repairs will be less expensive. 

Many brands also offer regular maintenance under warranty to save you even more money.

Reliability

The kind of boiler that you have in your home is so important, as it will impact how safe and comfortable the household will be.

The oil boiler you choose will determine whether your home will be warm and how easy it will be to control the temperature of your space. Considering the brand behind the boiler and the kind of system that you have installed in your home will help determine the reliability of the boiler itself.

The boiler you choose must be reliable to keep you safe.

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What are the Best Oil Boilers in 2024?

Now that you understand the criteria for the best oil boiler, it is time to show our recommendations.

We have highlighted some of the best brands of oil boilers available in the United Kingdom, so it should come as no surprise that the best oil boilers in 2024 will come from these names.

There are lots of options out there for oil boilers, and we are going to make things easier for you by showing you the current top five based on our research and expertise.

Worcester Bosch Greenstar Heatslave II

This is a condensing combi oil boiler that gives people the option to have it installed externally, making it a brilliant option for even the smallest homes.

As this is a combi boiler, it can provide instant hot water and central heating to your home with the touch of a button. It has an impressive flow rate of 15 litres per minute, and the oil boiler has been endorsed by the Energy Saving Trust, meaning it will save you money over time.

This range of boilers includes an output option of 18kW, 25kW, and 32kW.

Mistral Combi Standard

This is yet another combi oil boiler that is part of the Mistral Standard range. This range is made up of four condensing combi boilers that are suitable for both external or internal installation.

All of these oil boilers are energy efficient and have an output rating of between 15kW and 41kW to suit a range of homes.

Warmflow Utlity HE Combi

Warnmflow is Northern Ireland's leading manufacturer of oil boilers, and their whole range is award-winning.

Their oil boilers are highly efficient and come in a range of outputs from 21kW to 35kW, which makes it easy for all homes to find the perfect system for their needs.

Grant VortexBlue

This oil boiler is an internal combi one which means it is efficient at providing central heating and hot water on demand. As it is an internal combi oil boiler, this model does not need external tanks or cylinders yet can still provide instant heating into your home.

It is available in a range of outputs, including 21kW, 26kW, and 36kW.

Each Grant VortextBlue oil boiler comes with a standard 2-year warranty.

Firebird Envirogreen

This is a range of condensing oil boilers that can be installed as either a standard model or a slimline unit making it suitable for a range of homes.

It comes in a good range of outputs including 20kW, 26kW, and 35kW models ensuring that all homes can have their needs met by this range.

These are high-performance oil boilers that feature low NOx and Blue Flame Burner options.

Firebird was the first brand in the United Kingdom to provide Blue Flame technology, which has perfected the combustion process to lessen the carbon emissions of the boiler.

Final Notes

Oil boilers are the best option for remote homes that want to have instant access to hot water and central heating.

When it comes to finding the best oil boilers in 2024, there is a lot to consider including the brand, efficiency, and reliability.

Finding the best boiler is easier when you have a reliable engineer on your side, as they will recommend the best boiler system for your needs.

The best oil boiler for your home will be able to provide hot water and central heating on demand at a rate that can fuel the household.

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Stephen Day profile photo
Article by
Stephen Day | Co-founder
Gas Safe registered and FGAS certified engineer with over 20 years experience in the heating and cooling industry.