Have you ever woken up in the morning, looking forward to a nice warm shower, only to find there isn’t enough hot water? Your little cherubs have all beaten you to it before school! Maybe there was enough water for your shower but not enough to put the heating on for half an hour. Nobody wants to get out of the shower and step into a cold room, do they?
New combi boilers eliminate both of these problems for you straight away, and in this blog, we’ll tell you why. What is a combi boiler, and how does it work? Read on to find out more.
What is a combi boiler, and how does it differ from other boilers?
A combi boiler provides you with heat and hot water from a single source.
A conventional boiler, whilst it may look the same on your wall, requires a cold water storage tank, often found in your loft, and a hot water storage cylinder, usually found in an upstairs storage or airing cupboard.
A combi boiler, therefore, takes up much less space than a conventional boiler, and you don’t have to worry about the hot water tank running out just when you need it the most!
What is a combi boiler? In short, it’s a space-saving, multi-tasking heat and hot water provider for your home. It’s also far more efficient than an older boiler, so it should save you some money in the longer term.
Combi boilers are also more reliable and often quieter, with more features that give you more control.
How does a combi boiler work?
There are a number of different options when it comes to supplying hot water and heating in your home. We’re often asked, “what is a combi boiler?” or “how does a combi boiler work?”
A combi boiler, or combination boiler, is just that. It combines the heating of your water and central heating capabilities in one place. When you turn on a hot tap in your home, your combi boiler will fire up instantly and heat the water that supplies your tap. When you turn the tap off, your combi boiler effectively goes back into temporary sleep mode until it’s needed again.
What about heating? When your thermostat drops below its set temperature, it sends a message to the combi boiler, which will spring into action and heat your home as required. Once the optimum temperature setting is reached, the boiler will receive another signal telling it to rest easy, warmth is restored. This scenario will be repeated as and when necessary in line with your thermostat settings.
As an alternative to letting your thermostat do its thing, combi boilers have a 24-hour timer that you can set so that your home is heated for certain hours of the day. Or, like many people these days, you can go one step further and control your heating and hot water via smart controls.
Wireless thermostats can be moved from room to room and can even be controlled by Alexa, Google or via an app on your phone, so you can ensure the heating is on before you get home. No more coming home to a cold house!
There are many possibilities, but we can help you choose the right method for your home and lifestyle.
Learn more in our guide to smart thermostats and how they work.
How much is a combi boiler?
A new combi boiler will cost somewhere in the region of £1000 to £3000. Combi boiler prices vary and depend on the make and model, among other things.
There are many different brands to choose from, some better than others, and most brands will have a range of boilers or a budget, mid-range, and premium option, each providing you with a different specification to suit the needs of every home.
Your qualified installer will be able to help and advise on which is the best option for your needs. Some of the factors that might affect combi boiler prices are:
- make and model
- warranty period – usually from 2 years to 12 years
- what you are replacing and whether extra components might be needed
- location of the boiler in your home
- smart controls
- the demand put on the boiler to meet your requirements
Is a combi boiler cheaper to run?
How much it costs you to run your boiler depends on the size of your house, how well insulted it is, and how often you use it. Of course, it goes without saying that the more you use your boiler, the more you’ll pay in fuel.
Overall, combi boilers are more cost-effective to run than conventional boilers. This is because with a combi boiler you’re only paying to heat the water you use rather than a whole tank of water.
Whether you choose a conventional or a combi boiler, there’s no doubt that new systems are much cheaper to run than their older – and less efficient – counterparts.
In fact, the Energy Saving Trust estimates that you can save hundreds of pounds on your fuel bill by replacing your old boiler with a new, A-rated boiler. Going from a G-rated boiler to an A-rated condensing boiler could save you up to £445 per year (based on a mid-terraced house in England, Wales, or Scotland).
Why choose Arton Plumbing and Heating?
Based in Maidstone, Kent, we’re a local family-run business providing plumbing and heating services to the surrounding areas. With over 35 years of experience, Arton Plumbing and Heating is proud to be a Worcester Bosch accredited installer.
Our friendly Gas Safe registered engineers are qualified to repair and service your existing boiler or install a new combi boiler with a fantastic warranty period of up to 12 years on some models.
We also offer 0% boiler finance packages to help spread the cost of your new boiler.
We make the whole process as easy as possible for our clients and we aim to ensure there is minimum disruption during our work. We pride ourselves on looking after your home as though it were our own, and the quality of our workmanship is second to none.
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