Are you thinking of buying a new boiler? Or maybe replacing the current one? Talking to most experts in the field, you have probably heard countless times how you need to get the best boiler for your home. We review them all.
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There are numerous boiler manufacturers in the U.K. Some of them have been in the industry for years and have built a reputation based on the trust and the quality of their products. They also offer a variety of additional benefits for their boilers like extended warranties and various financing options.
When comparing the boilers, evaluating the different manufacturers and their trust rating in the market is key. Before you can consider the prices, make sure you’re comparing boilers from credible and reliable manufacturers before you start comparing the prices.
Some manufacturers have slightly higher prices for their boilers. Usually, because of their trust ratings and the reliability of their products.
Some of the brands that you should pay attention to when comparing boilers include Baxi, Biasi, Atag, Daikin, Ferroli, Firebird, Vaillant, Worcester Bosch, Ideal, Zanussi among others.
Boilers are typically powered by three types of energy;
The design and installation requirement for boilers powered by each of the types of energy are different. Gas boilers are the most convenient. Most homes are connected to the Gas network which makes it easier to power the boiler.
If you’re living in an off-grid home and don’t have access to gas, you can opt for oil or an LPG boiler. Depending on the type of fuel that powers your boil, the applications and diversity of the boiler can differ.
For instance, boilers that use LPG as fuel can also use gad but, the boiler in question should have the necessary components to convert the different types of fuel.
Admittedly, the type of fuel can also affect the price of the boiler even though slightly. However, you shouldn’t turn a blind eye to how your preference for fuel might affect the running cost of the boiler in the long run.
For instance, boilers using oil are slowly being phased out in preference for gas varieties. Considering getting a gas boiler from the onset could save you the cost of conversation.
Boiler efficiency and rating are arguably one of the most important considerations when comparing different boilers. This is because the efficiency and rating of a boiler determine the percentage of energy that the boiler can convert to usable energy. It also serves to show the boiler’s performance in terms of greenhouse emissions. Usually, the higher a boiler’s rating and efficiency, the better its performance, and the lower its carbon emissions.
There is no denying that in the current world, almost all appliances and gadgets revolve around smart technology. It is therefore, not a surprising sight that these smart technologies have also made their way into the boiler world. Nowadays, some boiler models can be hooked to smart thermostats such as Hive and Nest, allowing them to learn your home’s heating habits. The smart thermostats are then connected via the internet to your phone or tablet, allowing you to control your home’s heating remotely.
The heating capacity or kW output of a boiler is the amount of heat energy that it can transfer to the water in your home’s heating system. Given that different homes have different heating requirements, boiler manufacturers tend to produce a wide range of boilers with different heating capacities. This way, you can easily identify the right boiler for your home, provided you know your home’s heating requirements.
The size of your home or rental property plays a critical role in determining the right boiler to invest in. For smaller households, a combi boiler would suffice to meet its heating and hot water demands. However, the combi boiler won’t be enough to meet the heating requirements of a larger household. As such, the most prudent choice would be to invest in a heat-only or a system boiler as it would be able to meet the high heating requirements without straining.
Generally, a boiler output of 1kW is required to sufficiently meet the heating requirements of a 10m3 household. Using this formula, you can easily calculate the required number of kW required to heat your home. While calculating this, you should remember to factor in other factors such as the number of bathrooms in the house, the size of radiators, and the number of rooms to be heated.
Naturally speaking, a poorly insulated household will have a high heat loss rate, and as a result, will require a more powerful boiler compared to a similar well-insulated household. It is therefore, unsurprising that the level of insulation in your property will determine the size and type of boiler you can install.
If you live on the upper floors of a high-rise apartment building, there is actually a limit to the types of boilers you can install in your property. For instance, a gas boiler won’t be a viable option as there would be difficulties in delivering the natural gas to high altitudes. Moreover, the gas pipes will have to pass through the households located on the lower floors, which might prove to be difficult. Similarly, you won’t be able to install an oil boiler as you won’t have anywhere to fix the oil storage tank. The only remaining option would be to install an electric combi boiler.
Choosing the right boiler for your home is essential. It will save you from installation nightmares like lack of enough space. It will also make sure you can meet the demand for hot water in your home without stretching the boiler thin.
When comparing the different boilers, the type of boiler will have a significant impact on the cost and suitability of the boiler for your home so this should be thoroughly considered before you settle on any particular boiler.
Luckily, there are not many types of boilers to choose from. They are only three of them. These include:
Combi boilers are very common in most homes. They are extremely efficient in heating and have a central heating boiler all in one compact and sizeable unit. This type of boiler heats water directly from the mains so you don’t have to worry about sacrificing space to store the tanks.
Combi boilers are as cost-effective as they are energy efficient. Instead of the water being stored in a cylinder, it is heated instantly. The hot water is fed into the system using mains pressure so you don’t have to worry about additional pumps for your shower.
System boilers are ideal for homes that have space to store the hot water cylinder. But most of the component are built into the boiler. This makes the boiler easier and faster to install. The greatest upside with system boilers is that you can use them on solar water heating systems to lower your energy bills.
Also known as traditional or open vent boilers, this type of boiler requires both a hot water cylinder and water storage tank. While they work great for large homes, they are impossible to install in homes where space is limited.
Conventional boilers are perfect when you want hot water supplied to different bathrooms in the home at the same time.
This boiler is best suited for homes that already have a traditional heating system in place. In such cases, the pipework might not need to be changed or, the changes if any would be very minimal. Like the system boilers, conventional boilers can also be used together with solar heating systems.
Price is the greatest factor when comparing different boilers. While you want to get the most affordable option, you also want to get more for your money and get a quality option.
Unlike installation prices, the price for a new boiler is predictable but varies from one brand to the next and depending on the type of boiler you are looking for.
Gas boilers will set you back anywhere between £499 to £825 depending on the brand, output rating and efficiency of the boiler. Gas heat only boiler start at £492 all the way to £3,600 while gas system boilers start at £521 to £910.
Oil combi boilers £2,057 to £3,191 while oil heat only boilers £1,107 – £3,770 and an oil system boiler ranges between £1,335 and £2,407.
Note; Boiler prices are not stagnant. They fluctuate depending on various factors in the market like policies as well as the demand and supply curve. The prices might also vary depending on location.
As you will notice, some brands typically command higher prices for all their boilers no matter the type. This is because of their exceptional quality and the trust they have built with the consumers or because they offer longer warranties. While paying more doesn’t always mean you get the best boiler, it is usually safer to pay more for a good boiler especially when you don’t much about them.
If you live in an area with a gas network and access to oil, the biggest choice you have to make is whether to go for a gas or oil boiler. The choice is not only about the source of energy for your boiler but also the benefits that come with each of the options.
Cost-wise, gas boilers are more affordable to buy, maintain and run. If cost is a concern, you might want to consider going for a gas boiler. While modern oil boilers are proving to be very promising in terms of efficiency, you might have to pay more than you would have if you were buying a gas boiler with the same performance.
In terms of durability, oil boilers are more durable. They can last anywhere between 13 to 25 years with good maintenance. Gas boilers, on the other hand, last between 10 to 15 years. You may have to replace your gas boiler sooner.
Should you decide to invest in an oil boiler, you should be aware that you need storage for the boiler which can be expensive. However, the same is not the case for gas boilers. The gas is piped so you don’t have to worry about storage.
Understanding the technical part of both oil and gas boilers is important and critical in helping you make a fair comparison and choose the right decision.
Remember that technology used in making boilers is constantly changing and improving. So some of the disadvantages facing either fuel type can be improved.
The key to making an informed decision when purchasing a new boiler is to research the various boiler manufacturers in the market. This way, you can narrow down your options and remain with the options that can successfully meet your home’s heating demands. It is, therefore, unsurprising that every new boiler shopper would want to be acquinted with the best boiler manufacturers before they can make a purchase decision.
Naturally, for a boiler manufacturer to be labeled as “one of the best”, it should outperform the average boiler brand in more than one aspect. For instance, its boilers should be reliable, durable, and offer a maximum value for money. Moreover, it should have a decent warranty, a good efficiency rating, and a good reputation based on customer reviews.
Currently, the best boiler brands in the UK heating industry include Worcester Bosch, Viessmann, Vaillant, Alpha, and Ideal. Others include Baxi, Potterton, Glow-Worm, and Vokera.
When shopping a new boiler, it is imperative that you settle for one that has one of the highest efficiencies. This is because an efficient boiler will not only lower your home’s energy wastage, but also reduce its carbon emissions. And with some boilers nowadays unlocking efficiencies of up to 98%, you could end up saving up to £500 on your annual energy bills.
If you intend to purchase a highly efficient boiler, consider checking out the following boiler manufactures:
If you are relatively new in the field of boiler and are looking to purchase your first ever boiler, you might be wondering how to identify the boiler manufacturer that has the ideal boiler for your home. Well, you need not worry anymore as all you have to do is visit the manufacturer’s website and browse through the range of products it sells. Alternatively, you can find all the information on the boiler manufacturer’s products by reading the various reviews and articles posted online.
An even more prudent approach would be to have a certified heating engineer come inspect your home and tell you the most suitable boiler for your home. The engineer will also share with you some of the boiler manufacturers that might have the ideal boiler you are looking for.
Past customer experience and satisfaction is an important aspect you shouldn’t overlook when comparing boiler manufacturers. This is because it is a testimony of whether the manufacture’s boilers perform up to the expected standards.
Currently, the boiler manufacture with the highest customer score is Worcester Bosch, boasting an 89% customer satisfaction score as per the Which? Boiler report. The manufacture’s high customer satisfaction stems from the fact that its boilers tend to remain fault-free compared to other brands. And with such a high satisfaction rating, it is no surprise that 42% of all new boilers bought in the last 6 years are Worcester Bosch.
Of course, where there is a winner, there is a loser. And when it comes to customer satisfaction scores, there are a couple of boiler manufacturers that customers have had a poor experience with. They have been heavily criticized by both customers and heating engineer due to their poor build and unreliability. They are also famed to break down regularly, have poor warranties, and their spare parts are not easily accessible.
Some of these boiler manufacturers that you need to steer clear of when shopping a new boiler include Vokera, Ferroli, Main, and Biasi.
Given that the average cost of a new boiler will range anywhere between £500 and £4,000, purchasing it on cash might tear a big hole in your finances. As such, you might be considering acquiring the boiler through a boiler finance scheme, whereby you will be able to spread the cost of purchasing the boiler over several months.
Sadly, boiler manufacturers do not offer boiler financing directly to buyers. Instead, they liase with boiler installation firms to bring this option to customers. As such, rather than going directly to the manufacturer, you will have to look for a boiler installation firm that offers financing schemes, mostly, at a small interest rate. And the good thing is, you have found such a company in us.
With the increasing environmental consciousness among the UK populace, more people are shifting to renewable energy sources. However, some renewable heating sources such as solar panels and heat pumps are affected by weather conditions and can at times be incapable of providing sufficient heating. As such, they have to be complemented by a gas or oil boiler, and the two heating sources will be used alternatingly to attain the best efficiency.
The good thing is that most boiler manufacturers have gas and oil boilers that are compatible with hybrid heating systems. Most notable among them being Worcester Bosch and Vaillant.
There can be nothing as inconveniencing as your boiler breaking down out of the blues and you having to fork out a huge sum in repair costs. The good thing, however, is that you don’t have to dip into your pockets if the issue is caused by a manufacturing fault, and the boiler is under warranty. It is, therefore, important that you pay careful attention to the type and length of the offered warranty or guarantee when purchasing a new boiler.
A boiler manufacturer that offers a warranty on its products will step in and repair or replace the boiler should it develop a fault caused by a manufacturing error. On the other hand, a boiler manufacturer that offers a simple guarantee on its products isn’t obligated to repair or replace the boiler for free. Instead, it will simply investigate the issue and advice you on the way forward.
Among the current crop of boiler manufacturers, Worcester Bosch, Viessmann, Vaillant, Glow-Worm, Ideal, Baxi, Alpha, and ATAG offer the best warranties, some even extending to 15 years.
Everyone values peace and quiet in their homes and wouldn’t go about purchasing a noisy boiler, at least, not if they can help it. And assuming you go by this common principle, you are probably wondering which boiler manufacturer has the quietest boilers.
It is good to note that boiler manufacturers are also doing their best to manufacture quiet boilers that won’t bring nuisance and disturbances. However, as boilers are bound to have movable parts such as the fans and pumps, there is still some considerable noise to be expected from them.
Currently, the manufacturers that have managed to produce some of the quietest boilers in the market include Grant, Viessmann, and Vaillant. Therefore, if you are seeking to purchase a quiet boiler, these are the companies worth checking out.
Even with a limited budget, you wouldn’t want to settle for the most basic boiler in the market, otherwise you may end up spending more if the boiler is unreliable and keeps breaking down. Instead, you would want to purchase the best boiler that you can possibly afford given your budget.
Some of the best budget boiler manufacturers include Alpha, Baxi, Potterton, and Glow-Worm. And although their boilers cost considerably more than those of Ferroli and Vokera, they are still affordable and will comfortably see you through the winter.
Definitely. You will be able to sleep better knowing that your central heating is powered by a boiler that has been recognised by boiler experts and even given an award for some of its aspects. Normally, the greater the number of awards a boiler manufacturer has won, the more reliable and better performing its boilers are.
The best way to get an unbiased opinion on boiler manufacturers is to consult a certified heating engineer. This is because most experienced heating engineers have worked with boilers from the different boiler manufacturers in the market and are in a positive to offer informed advice. And if you still want to build on the information offered by the heating engineer, you can hit the web and read the plenty of independent boiler reviews and buying guides posted there.
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