Should I change to a combi boiler?

Sticking with what you know is a habit we all find difficult to break. We all find it hard to try new things sometimes, and the story is exactly the same with the boiler in your home. If you’ve settled on a boiler type or boiler brand since who knows when, then for many of us, it makes sense to trust what we know and stick with it. 

For example, changing to a combi boiler from a different type of boiler can be a risk that many are afraid to take - especially if you’ve never had a different type of boiler in your home before. When sticking with the same boiler, it’s easy to know how the controls work and how to get your home to the exact right temperature by using your thermostat. However, if you’ve had your boiler for around 10 years, it’s likely that its performance will start to decline if it hasn’t already done so. As a result, you should really look to make the change to a new boiler. 

Instead of opting straight for what you know, there may be much better suited boilers out there for your home; ones that can not only save you money, but those which are much kinder to the environment too. Thanks to advancements in technology, the boilers of today are much more efficient. 

Get a fixed price combi boiler with installation from BOXT.

How does a combi boiler work?

A combi boiler combines home heating and hot water within the same unit. This type of boiler heats water from the mains when you need it. It instantly sends heated water to your taps, showers, and radiators.

Why changing to a combi boiler is an advantage.

Combi boilers have a range of benefits for not only you and your home, but for the environment too. Here’s how converting to a combi-boiler system is a great move:

• Combi boilers boast higher energy efficiency - upgraded combi boiler designs ensure that new boilers are rated ‘A’ for efficiency.
• They’re space saving - the compact design of a combi boiler means that it can be easily installed in smaller spaces - even in a kitchen cupboard. There’s now no need to have separate cylinders or tanks which usually takes up a lot of space in your home. These can be removed and disposed of.
• Combis are the great choice for small houses and flats thanks to their size and ease of use.
• They produce hot water on demand - this saves energy as only water that is needed is heated.

What is involved in changing to a combi boiler?

Now we’ve grabbed your attention with the great benefits of combi boilers, it’s good to know the process involved in converting to a combi boiler. The first thing you need to do is to find the perfect new boiler for your home. Once bought, it's time for one of our Gas Safe registered engineers to fit your new appliance. To do this, the engineer will...

• Drain the system - the engineer will firstly need to drain the entire heating and hot water system in your home before they can begin.
• Remove your old existing boiler - our engineers can remove your old boiler before installing your new one. We can also take it away for you, free of charge.
• Remove any existing thermostat - we’ll remove this and any controls if required to make way for new ones.
• We’ll remove any unneeded cylinders or tanks - if you’re switching from a regular boiler to a combi, we’ll get rid of any equipment you no longer need for you. 
• Install your new boiler - out with the old and in with the new. No matter which type of boiler you had originally - our highly skilled engineers can switch it to a combi boiler.
• Perform a system flush - we carry out a system flush when your new boiler is installed. This is to flush out any unwanted debris and can keep your system running effectively for longer. It’s recommended that you carry out a flush regularly to prevent the build up of sludge, debris, and rust.
• Install magnetic filters - with many of our combi boiler installations, we can fit a magnetic filter. This filter will prevent any undesired materials from entering the system, and will help it run efficiently.
• Install smart/learning thermostats - we’ll install a Nest Learning Thermostat as an upgrade option with selected combi boilers to help manage your heating schedule and save energy.
• Register warranties and hand over the controls - when this is done, you’re ready to go!

How do I pick the right combi boiler?

It’s important to consider the hot water flow rate. This is expressed as litres per minute (LPM) and indicates the speed at which the boiler can heat your hot water. Hot water flow rates on combi boilers can vary from 9.8LPM to 25LPM. An easy way to understand this is if you take a boiler rated at 10LPM, then it means that the boiler will heat 10 litres of water by 35 degrees every minute. 

To calculate your hot water requirements, you need to count how many bathrooms you have and how often they are in use at the same time. Our selection of boilers all vary in terms of litres per minute so it’s always best practice to test your incoming cold-water pressure before deciding which combi boiler you require. You can use an online water pressure test to determine your flow rate.

Typically, a shower needs around 5LPM of hot water, whereas a bath is about 8LPM. These figures are for guidance only, as water usage varies significantly from one tap/shower to another.

Pressure changes

When converting from a standard boiler to a combi boiler it’s likely that the water pressure in your pipework and outlets will increase. If your pipework was professionally installed and in good condition - the pressure change will not be noticeable except for water coming out of your taps faster.

However, if your pipework is in poor condition and cobbled together, then a change to a combi boiler may not be the best option for you as there will be a risk of leaks and burst pipes/fittings. If you’re swapping to a combi boiler, it’s strongly recommended that you always keep a good lookout for any leaks or damp patches around your home for a few weeks, after the work has been completed just to be sure. 

You should be aware that due to the wide variety of showers available in the market place it is not possible BOXT or our engineers to determine if a shower and your boiler will be compatible.

Why choose BOXT when changing to a combi boiler?

When choosing a new combi boiler, you can trust BOXT. We have fully qualified, Gas Safe Registered engineers who can recommend, deliver and install your new boiler at a time that suits you. We’ll leave your home immaculate after installation and even take away and dispose of your old boiler safely. Your boiler will be tested and we’ll always be at hand in the unlikely event you run into any problems.

Is changing to a combi boiler worth it?

In short, yes. What’s even better, is that in most cases, you’ll be able to make the switch to a combi boiler easily, even if you have a different type of boiler installed currently. BOXT are here to make your life simpler. You can rely on us to get the job done, no matter what your requirements are. 

Changing to a combi boiler is much easier than you think. If you’d like more information about our boiler services or you need help choosing the right one for your home, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a BOXT engineer today by using our instant live chat. Don’t forget to use our Find A Boiler tool for more help and guidance.