What to consider when choosing the right boiler

What Fuels Boilers in the UK?

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In the UK, the most common fuel sources for boilers include:

1. Oil

2. Gas

3. LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)

Only homes connected to the national gas grid can use gas boilers. Off-grid residences typically choose between heating oil and LPG.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Boiler

1. Hot Water Demand

Take time to assess your household's daily hot water needs before selecting a boiler. This evaluation will guide you in determining the appropriate size. Consider the following aspects:

• How many showers does the household have daily?
• What is the total number of sinks in your home?
• How many baths are there in the residence?

2. Size of the Property

The size of your home ranks as a primary consideration when selecting the right boiler. The boiler output is generally measured in kW, with an estimate of 1kW needed per 10m³ of space.

Additionally, contemplate the following:

• How many bathrooms exist within your residence?
• What is the typical number of occupants in your household?
• How many rooms are heated?
• What dimensions do the radiators have in those rooms?

If your home is extensive or has a large number of residents, a combi boiler may not be optimal. Instead, consider a heating-only or system boiler, and keep the boiler size in mind.

3. Insulation Quality

A well-insulated property provides numerous benefits, particularly in reducing heating costs while maintaining comfort. The insulation level of your home significantly influences the boiler type and size decision.

Different home types affect how efficient your insulation is. Homes with fewer external walls, such as semi-detached and terrace houses, generally retain heat more effectively than detached houses.

To better understand your insulation, answer these questions:

• Is cavity wall insulation present?
• Is there loft insulation available?
• Do you have double glazing?
• How many windows are in your home?

4. Boiler Efficiency

Finding an efficient oil burner, gas boiler, or LPG boiler is often a top priority. Today’s market features highly efficient boilers, benefiting your wallet and the environment.

Condensing boilers, for instance, are generally more efficient than traditional models, leading to substantial energy savings. They utilize the hot water return system to condense gases in the flue exhaust, capturing heat that would otherwise be wasted. Typically, condensing boilers achieve an efficiency rating of 90% or higher.

These boilers also help lower carbon dioxide emissions. Home boilers contribute approximately 60% of domestic CO2 emissions. If every home in the UK converted to a high-efficiency boiler, carbon emissions could be reduced by 13 million tonnes! Consequently, current regulations require that all new properties are fitted with a condensing boiler.

The only downside of condensing boilers is their complexity compared to standard models, leading to more potential issues. Fortunately, their reliability improves with advances in technology.

Government grants are available to support energy efficiency upgrades, including boiler replacements. For further details, the Energy Saving Trust serves as a valuable resource.

5. Location Considerations

If your home is not connected to the national gas grid, a gas boiler becomes impractical. In such cases, many homeowners opt for an oil-fired burner or an LPG boiler.

Joining a community oil purchasing scheme can result in considerable savings. These initiatives encourage residents to collectively buy oil in bulk, lessening delivery expenses and securing lower prices.

For those residing in particularly remote areas, it may be beneficial to invest in a more substantial heating oil tank to accommodate storage needs. Average domestic tanks typically hold between 1,000 litres (220 gallons) and 1,360 litres (300 gallons).

Assessing Boiler Efficiency

Previously, boilers in the UK were assessed using the SEDBUK (Seasonal Efficiency of a Domestic Boiler in the UK) rating system. Since September, every new oil burner, gas boiler, or any other boiler type now receives an ErP energy label.

SEDBUK ratings spanned from A to G, with A units boasting efficiencies of 90% to 91.3%. ErP ratings also use an alphabetical system, though the efficiency assessment methods are slightly different, potentially leading to varying scores.

The majority of modern gas condensing boilers in the UK achieve an A rating on the ErP scale, so it is wise to consider SEDBUK ratings for additional insights.

Comparative Overview: Oil Fired Burners, Gas Boilers, and LPG Boilers

1. Oil Fired Burners

Advantages:

• Ideal for off-grid residences: For homes lacking gas grid connectivity, oil-fired burners present a practical and efficient alternative.
• Bulk purchasing: Buying fuel in bulk translates to lower costs, especially if done during off-peak seasons.
• Supplier flexibility: Homeowners can choose their oil supplier without being locked into a contract, allowing for price comparisons.
• High efficiency: Modern condensing oil burners can achieve efficiency ratings exceeding 90%.
• Safety: Oil presents less risk of explosion compared to gas and can be stored securely outside.
• Ease of upgrade: An oil burner replacement is often straightforward.

Disadvantages:

• Price variability: Fuel prices can fluctuate due to various factors, impacting your costs.
• Planning required: Homeowners need to monitor fuel levels and anticipate delivery scheduling.
• Storage needs: A designated tank is necessary for oil storage, which can occupy space.
• Theft risks: Outdoor heating oil tanks can attract thieves, though many preventative measures can be employed.

2. Gas Boilers

Advantages:

• Cost-effective: As the primary fuel source for most UK homes, natural gas is generally affordable.
• Stable pricing: Gas prices tend to show little fluctuation, assisting in budget management.
• Convenience: Homeowners do not need to monitor fuel levels or schedule refills with a gas supply.

Disadvantages:

• Unavailable for off-grid homes: Approximately four million UK households lack access to the gas grid, making gas boilers unviable.
• Fault frequency: Gas boilers possess numerous internal components, increasing potential faults and repair costs.
• Potential gas leaks: Although rare, leaks can occur, necessitating carbon monoxide detectors for safety.
• High installation costs: The upfront cost for a new gas boiler can be significant.

3. LPG Boilers

Advantages:

• Lower installation costs: Setting up an LPG boiler typically incurs lower initial expenses than oil or natural gas boilers.
• Environmentally friendlier: Producing around 15% less carbon dioxide than oil, LPG is a cleaner energy source.
• Suitable for off-grid homes: LPG boilers present a viable solution for homes not connected to the gas grid.

Disadvantages:

• Storage requirements: Like oil systems, an LPG boiler necessitates a storage tank.
• Higher ongoing costs: The unit price of LPG surpasses that of oil and natural gas, leading to increased costs over time.
• Delivery coordination: Homeowners must monitor LPG levels and proactively arrange deliveries.

Exploring Boiler Types

1. Combi Boilers

Combi boilers, or combination boilers, are the most commonly found type in UK homes. They account for over half of all newly installed domestic boilers each year, providing instant hot water and heating on demand. Available in gas, oil, or LPG variants.

Advantages:

• Space-saving design: Combi boilers integrate two functions in one compact unit, offering modern aesthetics.
• Energy efficient: Most modern combi boilers have an efficiency rating of 90% or higher.
• Readily available parts: Their popularity allows for easy access to replacement components.
• Instant hot water supply: Combi boilers eliminate the waiting time for heating water.

Disadvantages:

• Ideal for small households: Combi boilers are not suited for larger homes, as they can only supply hot water to one outlet at a time.
• Dependent on mains pressure: Poor mains pressure affects water delivery at fixtures.
• No backup heating option: Absence of an immersion heater leaves homeowners without hot water during breakdowns.

2. Heat-Only Boilers

Also referred to as regular or conventional boilers, heat-only boilers consist of a two-tank system with a cold water tank in the loft and a hot water cylinder. Similar to combi systems, these boilers can utilize gas, oil, or LPG.

Advantages:

• Multi-outlet access: Stored hot water enables multiple users to heat water simultaneously.
• Immersion heaters available: Allows continued hot water access even during boiler issues.

Disadvantages:

• Space requirement: Considering the need for two tanks, these systems demand considerable installation space.
• No instant hot water supply: Users must wait for hot water to be reheated after consumption.
• Heat loss potential: Stored hot water may lose thermal energy over time.

3. System Boilers

These boilers, also known as closed vent boilers, incorporate a hot water cylinder and an expansion vessel within the system. Gas, oil, or LPG configuration options are available.

Advantages:

• Simultaneous use: System boilers can efficiently distribute hot water to several taps at once.
• No cold water tank needed: Saving space compared to heat-only systems by eliminating the cold water tank requirement.
• Better water pressure: Delivering enhanced water pressure by drawing directly from the mains.

Disadvantages:

• No instant hot water: Similar to heat-only boilers, users must wait for water to be reheated.
• Heat loss risk: Hot water can also experience temperature drops if left standing.

We trust this guide has been useful in selecting the proper boiler, whether considering a new oil burner, gas boiler, or LPG boiler. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact the Rix team.

For further insights, please visit Industrial Finned Tube Heat Exchanger.