Know Your Boiler Options

Needing to replace your boiler can prove a stressful experience. Not only do you have to worry about the cost, but you need to decide what is the best type of boiler for you. If you have an old heating system, new energy-efficient gas boilers or electric heating systems can give you significant savings on your energy use, but what is the best type to choose? What boiler options are available to you?

Gas or Electric?

The first step when getting a new boiler is to take a look at your existing system. Older houses with gas heating usually have a system with a hot water storage tank; more modern properties will have a system that heats water on demand. Most people opt for a like-for-like replacement when swapping their boiler. However, it is possible to switch to a different fuel if you prefer. It’s generally true that gas boilers are the cheapest option in the long run because the cost per unit of energy is lower.

However, if you don’t have access to mains gas, electric boilers can be an attractive option. You can benefit from off-peak tariffs to heat your home, and the installation process is usually more straightforward than gas. This makes them a good choice if you want to take the opportunity to re-site your boiler.

Type of Boiler

All new gas or oil boiler have to be condensing types that reclaim the heat which would otherwise be lost via the flue. Condensing boilers are often confused with combi boilers, but whilst all combis – which produce hot water on demand – are condensing, you can get conventional condensing boilers that work with a hot-water storage cylinder. These are best suited to larger houses and families that use a lot of hot water or where you want to attach a new boiler to an existing system with minimal disruption.

Electric boilers are a relatively new option and not to be confused with the old storage heater systems, which were difficult to control. An electric boiler can drive your existing radiators and hot water cylinder. They’re good for smaller properties such as flats, where space is at a premium, but less suited to houses where there’s a high demand for hot water. A further advantage of an electric boiler is that it’s practically silent in operation. In rural areas where there’s no mains gas, an electric boiler may be a good alternative to an oil-fired system.

Changing your boiler is a major undertaking, and whatever you choose will be in use for many years. It’s therefore important to make the right choice. AuraGas can offer help and advice to select the right boiler option for your needs. What’s more, they can then install and maintain it for you. If you are interested in finding out more, enter your details for no-obligation quote.