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Boiler Buying Advice
If you are considering replacing your current boiler Surtees Plumbing & Heating Limited are fully gas safe registered as well as accredited Worcester boiler installers. These boilers also come with a 10 year guarantee.
The benefits of a new boiler:
- A rated boiler offers over 90% efficiency.
- Saving of up to 40% of the costs of running your old boiler.
- Extended guarantees to give you the peace of mind you need.
Choice Of Boiler Types
In 2005 new UK safety guidelines were enforced in order to help maximise efficiency on any new boiler being installed in a property. High efficiency boilers are less costly and less harmful on the environment, ultimately saving you money in the long run. Choosing the right boiler for your home is something that our expert team of boiler specialists and engineers can advise on, we have also provided this guide to help you understand the different types of boilers available.
Combi Condensing boilers
Combi Condensing Boilers provide the necessary heating for your central heating and hot water directly from the boiler itself. This type of boiler does not require hot water cylinders or cold storage tanks. Combi Condensing Boilers are often used in smaller properties where space is somewhat restricted, and a limited supply of hot water is required. These boilers are also energy efficient as water is heated instantly at the point of use, rather than being stored in a cylinder.
Another benefit of a Combi Condensing Boiler is that your water is delivered at mains pressure, therefore reducing the need for additional pumps, typically installed to increase shower pressure.
Conventional Condensing
(open vent boiler)
This type of boiler or heating system is by far the most common and we have been most used to seeing these in our homes over the past decades. This boiler uses a typical system (a hot water cylinder, and cold water storage tank in the loft which feeds the hot water cylinder). There is also an additional tank that maintains the water level of the central heating system. If the house has a more traditional radiator system then this type of boiler may be the best option, as the increased water pressure from other boilers may be too much for the heating infrastructure.
These boilers are perfect for homes with two or more bathrooms, drawing hot water simultaneously from multiple taps in the property and are also a good option where water pressure is low. This type of boiler is also compatible with solar water heating systems.
Conventional Condensing system boiler
Sealed system boiler is an alternative name for this type of boiler, as the major heating components are built into the boiler itself. This speeds up the installation process with less parts, including no need for an external tank in the loft. Perfect for where there is little loft space.
Compatible with solar heating systems is another benefit of a Sealed System Boiler, and delivers great environmental and energy saving benefits.
This type of boiler is ideal for homes with more than one bathroom, and can deliver a good supply of hot water to as many taps as required simultaneously.
Another benefit is economy as Sealed System boilers can be very economical to run.
In a typical UK household more than half of the money spent on fuel bills goes towards providing heating and hot water. As fuel costs continuously increase, having an efficient and cost effective heating system is an essential main step you can take to help reduce your costs and carbon dioxide emissions etc.
It is important to understand your current heating system. Nearly all UK households have either a central heating system – a boiler and radiators, or they use electric storage heaters. Some homes will also make use of individual heaters which are not part of the main central heating system.
Know what type of boiler you have?
Combi Boilers
A combi (or combination) boiler provides hot water directly, whenever it is required, it does not need a hot water cylinder. Gas, oil and LPG boilers may be combination.
Regular Boilers
A regular boiler provides hot water when the programmer instructs it to. It then stores it in a hot water cylinder until it is required.
A regular boiler is more efficient than a combi boiler at producing hot water, however some heat is inevitably lost from the hot water cylinder, therefore a combi may be more efficient overall.
What should I consider when replacing/choosing my boiler?
If it has reached time to change your boiler in your home, you need to consider what type of boiler is right for you. Here are some things to take into that consideration.
Fuel type +
If you have mains gas, a gas boiler is likely to be the cheapest heating option. Based on average fuel prices at March 2016, oil is currently a cheaper heating fuel; however, historically oil heating has been more expensive. If you do not have a gas supply to your home, it may be worth considering a form of low carbon heating such as a heat pump, or biomass. With the renewable heat incentive, these may be cheaper overall. Alternatively you may decide on getting a gas connection installed to your premises. The company that owns and operates the gas network in your area may be able to help with the cost of getting a new connection installed, it may even be fully funded. Contact them for further advice and information.
Space in your home +
Combi boilers do not need a hot water cylinder and therefore take up significantly less space in your home.
Boiler type +
Many older gas and oil boilers are regular/conventional boilers which have a separate hot water cylinder to store hot water, as opposed to providing it directly from the boiler itself. When replacing your boiler system you can buy a new regular boiler whilst still keeping your hot water cylinder, or you can buy a combi boiler that doesn't require a cylinder.
Compatibility with solar heating +
If you’re thinking of installing solar water heating it is important to consider the fact that many combi boilers are not compatible with this type of heating system.
Your hot water usage +
For larger families that use lots of hot water a regular boiler in most cases is the better option to go with, whereas smaller households using less may be better off with a combi boiler.
Replacing Your Boiler
Given the fact that boilers & central heating make up a significant portion of your overall annual spend on energy bills, choosing an efficient boiler will make a considerable difference.
Modern boilers have a number of efficiency advantages with the main benefit being they are all condensing boilers. All well-maintained boilers burn their fuel very efficiently, however they inevitably lose a certain amount of heat in the hot gases that escape up the flue. A condensing boiler has a larger heat exchanger therefore it recovers more heat, sends cooler gases up the flue, and is more efficient overall.
Occasionally the flue gases become very cool so that the water vapour in the gas condenses out (hence the name), and even more energy is recovered from the condensing vapour.
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10 Year Guarantee
Which "Best Buy" for 7 Years
A Rated High Efficiency
Fit inside a kitchen cabinet
The most efficient boiler in the world
10 Year Warranty
Lifetime guarantee on heat exchanger
Awarded Best Boiler 2016 in the Netherlands for 8 years
Energy Savings Trust Endorsed Product
What Type Of Boiler System Should You Get?
Why choose a Combination boiler?
A combination boiler delivers both central heating and instant hot water from one compact/tidy unit, thereby removing the need for a hot and cold water tank. Being the most popular boiler in the UK a combination boiler is ideal for properties with limited space. They can also be installed with minimal piping which helps keep installation costs down. A combination boiler can now also serve properties with more than one bathroom.
Why choose a System boiler?
These boilers are suited to properties with more than one bathroom or a higher demand for hot water. System boilers deliver central heating and require a hot water cylinder. These boilers generally come in many sizes, they also benefit from having the pump and controls integrated into the boiler casing, thus removing the space required in a loft for a feed and expansion tank.
Why choose a Conventional/Regular boiler?
Regular boilers, also known as conventional boilers are suited for properties with more than one bathroom or have a higher demand for hot water. A regular boiler delivers central heating and requires a hot water cylinder. Regular boilers are generally available in a variety of sizes and require more external space to house the pump and controls. They generally require a loft space in order to house the feed and expansion tank.
What Our Customers Are Saying
“I've had issues with my hot water and leaks for the last few months. Surtees Plumbing & Heating managed to fix the issue perfectly and even quicker than I expected. They arrived on time and the engineers was thorough and very knowledgeable about his stuff. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone who needs any plumbing or heating work done. I'll definitely be calling them for any future works I need carried out, thanks again.”
Jason Milton, Crowthorne
“Surtees Plumbing & Heating did a brilliant job. They installed a new combi boiler for me at short notice, and their price was very competitive, I was very pleased with everything done. They turned up on time and the communication was great too. Would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable, boiler installation company. Cannot recommend highly enough.”
Angela Meadon, Bracknell
