The key factors when choosing a new boiler
A new boiler is a significant investment. There will be plenty of questions to ask yourself before deciding on the one that will best meet your needs.
Your requirements will be completely unique to you and your property. We’re here to help you make the right choice based on those needs.
We’ll look closer at:
The types of boilers available
Understanding instantaneous or stored water needs
Day-to-day controls and thermostats
Understand your warranty
Meeting energy efficiency requirements
Having your boiler fitted by Baxi
The types of boilers available
Let’s start with an introduction to the different types of boiler that you can choose from:
Combi boilers
Combi, short for combination, boilers have everything you need for heating and instantaneous hot water in one compact appliance. This makes it a good option if you only have one bathroom or have limited space for a hot water cylinder as we’ll look at later.
Heat only boilers
You might have heard about heat only boilers as ‘open vent’ or ‘conventional’ boilers. These typically have a cold water ‘feed and expansion’ storage tank in the loft and a hot water cylinder in the airing cupboard. The boiler is typically sited in a kitchen cupboard and also rely on external components such as an expansion vessel and pump typically sited in an airing cupboard. Heat Only boilers are ideal for larger homes with multiple bathrooms where several taps, showers or baths run simultaneously without losing water pressure.
System boilers
A system boiler contains all the major components of the heating and hot water system, including the pump and expansion vessel, and heats water in a sealed hot water cylinder, usually in an airing cupboard. Again, these are perfect for larger properties with multiples bathrooms.
Electric boilers
Electric boilers are an effective option for properties that are off the mains gas grid network, due to being highly efficient and low maintenance.
Our Boilers
Understanding instantaneous or stored water needs
Your hot water needs and demands will be a key part of deciding whether your boiler is the right one for you. If you have high water usage, with multiple bathrooms and a need for consistent pressure, then you might need to consider a system boiler, which heats water stored in a cylinder ready for use. System boilers also provide hot water at a high flow rate without supply to other areas of your property being affected.
On the other hand, a combi boiler provides the convenience of being able to fit in a cupboard or a utility room without needing a separate cylinder for hot water. However, you may find that performance decreases when multiple hot water taps are in use at the same time.
Day-to-day use, controls and smart thermostats
Naturally, you will want your boiler to be simple and straightforward to use. A compatible heating controller or thermostat will allow you to make small adjustments to your settings for optimal comfort. Smart thermostats, like our Baxi AmbiZen Smart Thermostat, can make these alterations based on weather conditions and schedule settings through the My Baxi App, which could help reduce the cost on your bills.
When paired with other smart technologies, making slight adjustments, setting your heating schedule, and keeping an eye on how much energy you’re using can all become simple tasks.
Understand your warranty
Your boiler’s warranty is crucial for giving you additional protection when unexpected repairs are needed and peace of mind. The specifics of what a warranty covers depends on the make and model of the boiler and how long the warranty runs for. Generally speaking, though, our warranties at Baxi cover:
- Parts and labour costs
- Cover should the boiler break as a result of a manufacturing fault
The warranty will also depend on different factors, such as the type of boiler you have and the length of cover you need. You’ll need to have your boiler serviced at least annually to ensure your warranty stays valid.
Meeting energy efficiency requirements
Aside from electric, most modern boilers use either natural gas or Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to supply your home’s heating and hot water. Typically, natural gas boilers have lower running costs, though both are highly efficient options. At Baxi, our boilers are designed to work with one or the other to give you a full selection to choose from.
With LPG boilers the gas will be stored in a tank or cylinder, whereas natural gas boilers are supplied by the Grid. Electric boilers can be highly efficient, close to 100% in the case of our Amptec and Amptec S models, and can be an effective alternative for off-grid homes.
Having your boiler fitted by Baxi
At Baxi, our boilers are available nationwide and installed by a trusted network of installers. To find your local installer or for more about range, select one of the options below.
Find a boiler
Use our simple tool to find the right Baxi boiler for you.
Find an installer
Simply enter your postcode and find a local, trained, Gas Safe registered (where applicable) engineer to give you a no-obligation quote on a new boiler, cylinder or air source heat pump installation.