04th December, 2023
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Last updated: 3rd August, 2023
Comparisons
In this guide, we’re going to be explaining what each of these terms mean so you know exactly what it is you need to be looking for when choosing your new boiler.
When shopping for the right boiler for your home, you may be confused by the different types, names and terms, such as condensing, combi, system and conventional boilers.
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Condensing boilers are gas or oil-fired boilers designed for more efficient heating.
When a boiler burns fuel, it produces water vapour (steam) which contains heat.
This water vapour has the potential to contribute to the heating of the home; however, until condensing boilers were developed, the vapour went straight out of the flue pipe.
This meant that up to 30% of the heat produced by the boiler was being wasted, and the boiler would need to use more fuel to make up for the loss, resulting in high energy bills.
Condensing boilers were developed to stop this waste.
Condensing boilers use a ‘Flue Gas Recovery System’ to recycle the heat from the steam and prevent it from being lost.
The system includes two heat exchangers.
The water enters the condensing chamber first, picking up latent heat from the hot flue gases as they cool.
The moisture in these gases then condenses into droplets at the heat exchanger's bottom.
The condensation droplets are then expelled to the drain while the heated water enters the primary heat exchanger to collect more heat before finally flowing to the radiators and hot water taps.
This results in a more efficient heating system and much lower energy bills.
A combi boiler, short for combination boiler, combines a water heating system and central heating unit into a single body, handling heating and hot water without needing separate hot and cold water tanks.
Regular boilers are fed cold water from a cold water tank, which is often stored in the attic. This is then warmed by the heat exchanged in the boiler and stored in a hot water cylinder where it is stored until you need it.
A combi boiler, however, is fed cold water directly from the mains and can provide hot water instantly without the need to store hot water in a cylinder..
This means you can get hot water on demand and won't run out like it does with other boilers, as well as additional space in your home without the need for additional cylinders.
Yes and no. A combi boiler is a type of condensing boiler.
All modern domestic boilers, including combi boilers, system and regular boilers use condensing technology to make them more energy efficient.
So when it comes to choosing the right boiler for your home, you don’t need to choose between a combi boiler and conventional boiler as all combis are condensing.
Choosing the right condensing boiler from your home can be a tricky decision, however, certain boiler types suit certain types of homes more than others.
Combi boilers are typically best suited to small to medium sized homes with a low demand for heating and hot water at any one time.
They’re also ideal for homes with less space as they don’t require any additional cold water tanks or hot water cylinders.
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System boilers are best suited to small, medium and large homes with a high demand for heating and hot water.
This is because they can store significant amounts of hot water in the cylinder so two showers or taps can be running at the same time without impacting the water pressure.
However, your home must have enough space to store a hot water cylinder, such as in an airing cupboard or utility room.
Regular boilers are best suited to medium and large sized homes with a high demand for heating and hot water as they can store significant amounts of hot water in the cylinder so two showers or taps can be running at the same time without impacting the water pressure.
However, your home must have plenty of space to store a hot water cylinder, such as in an airing cupboard or utility room and a cold water tank in the loft.
Yes! We sell and install a wide range of condensing boilers to suit your home. Check out our guide to the best condensing boilers on the market.
Condensing boilers are designed to increase energy efficiency by extracting and utilising heat from hot flue gases. This reduces heat loss and improves boiler efficiency. A combi boiler, on the other hand, is a type of boiler that coordinates both central heating and hot water in one unit. This means hot water is supplied on demand without needing a separate cylinder. It is worth noting that modern combi boilers are also condensing boilers, which means they take advantage of this increased energy efficiency.
Condensing boilers are generally more energy efficient due to their design. Both combi and condensing boilers offer energy-saving benefits, but a condensing combi boiler would be the most efficient choice combining the advantages of both systems. These boilers can achieve efficiency ratings of over 90%, reducing energy consumption and lowering energy bills.
Pros of condensing boilers include:
Cons of condensing boilers include:
Condensing boilers do not necessarily require a water tank. If it is a combi-condensing boiler, a water tank is unnecessary, as the boiler will provide hot water on demand. However, a system or regular condensing boiler will typically work in tandem with a hot water cylinder, which stores hot water for the property.
Several factors impact the price of a boiler:
Identifying a condensing boiler can be done by checking the vent pipe leading out of the boiler. Condensing boilers contain a white plastic pipe, whereas non-condensing models often have a metal one. Another clue comes from the energy efficiency rating on the boiler's label; a rating of ‘A’ usually indicates a condensing boiler. If in doubt, consult the manufacturer or an expert heating engineer.
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