We usually don’t keep in mind our boilers until it’s time for it to be repaired, serviced or replaced. If it is time for you to look around for a new one, you may find yourself baffled with the prospect of finding the best possible boiler: the perfect one for your household or commercial property.
You might be wondering what exactly a combi boiler is, how it works, and why you should consider owning one. In this blog, we will show you all you need to know about it.
What is a combi boiler?
The word ‘combi’ in gas combi boilers actually means ‘combination’ because the boiler appliance has two functions: it works as a repository of water and it heats the water whenever it is needed. This is one major advantage because a detached water heater is no longer necessary.
A lot of old homes have separate immersion heaters, usually located upstairs and equipped in the attic by a header tank. When hot water was needed, the immersion heater had to be heated in advance. Unlike combi boilers, the old heaters took up a lot of space in the home and were very impractical.
You can even say that the invention of combi boilers is a brilliant idea. It has gained popularity and is considered as the first choice for most UK homeowners when it comes to water heating appliances.
There are actually three types of boilers; regular, system and combi. The traditional boilers take their water supply through a large tank, usually placed in the attic, while the system and combi boilers get their water supply from the mains.
Unlike the regular and system boilers that require a water tank to store heated water, combi boilers can produce hot water whenever you turn the tap on and almost instantly! Because of this reason, combi boilers are considered to be more compact, convenient, and energy-efficient than their predecessors.
How does a combi boiler work?
To get you started, combi boilers work by taking water supply directly from your main water supply. So whenever you turn on the tap for hot water, the gas burner undergoes an ignition and heats up the water through a process called ‘heat exchanger’. This process is so effective that it works right there and then.
To facilitate the rapid delivery of hot water, modern combi boilers usually have a pre-heat system installed in them. This is a small repository of water that is maintained at a certain temperature which means you will always have hot water whenever you turn the tap on.
You may have even noticed your boiler turning on the burner and heating up the water once every hour even if nobody is using the tap. This automatic function keeps the repository hot, keeping your water hot or warm; exactly just the way you like it. On some boilers, it is possible to turn this function off however, for most households, it is not recommended.
You might be considering to purchase a combi boiler for your home. To help you make an informed decision, here are just some of its advantages.
- Combi boilers are compact. By working as a water heater and a reservoir for water, combi boilers require less space from your home.
- Combi boilers have strong and stable water pressure. This is because combi boilers are connected directly to the mains. It does not rely on gravity to propel the water flow from the tank. This enables you to revel in a much needed high power shower at the end of the day!
- Combi boilers are economical. Cost and installation time are cheaper because it doesn’t take up too much space in your home and because it doesn’t need a separate tank to hold heated water.
- Combi boilers help lower your energy bills. Modern boilers usually have more than 90% efficiency while the older types are just above 50% efficiency. The high efficiency of combi boilers can help you save on heating bills.
- Combi boilers are very easy to install. Because they are all-in-one appliances, there’s no need to purchase additional pieces or elements when installing them in your home. It doesn’t need an extra water tank. Easy installation will automatically mean cheaper installation.
- Combi boilers can give you hot water almost instantly! Hot water is always whenever you want it. Its water tank keeps the water heated and no extra energy is spent to keep it heated. You do not have to wait for the tank to be refilled to get hot water. That’s hot water on demand for you!
How long does a combi boiler last?
Now that you are aware of its advantages, it is not hard to comprehend their appeal. But as a homeowner, you might be wondering how long a combi boiler last. This is certainly a reasonable question to ask.
It actually depends on the quality of the boiler, how well you look after the appliance, and how many times you have it serviced by a reliable Swindon company with an experienced team of professionals. A cheaper model does not necessarily help you save money because it usually does not last long so make sure you pick appliances with good or high standard.
In general, combi boilers are expected to last for 10 years or even longer when it is serviced regularly and well looked after. Before you purchase a combi boiler, check the manufacturer warranty and negotiate for an extended warranty.
In summary, investing in a high-quality combi boiler is best if you have a moderately sized home or commercial building, you want to save on heating bills, you want easy appliance installation, and you want the convenience of having hot water in your home.
It is also worth noting that you may have to ensure stable or strong mains pressure on your end and that your pipework is compatible with the new appliance that you are planning to install. And for everything else, you can call on CentraHeat for all your gas boiler installation, repair, and servicing needs!