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Boilers Explained

Combination boilers

Combination boilers

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Combi boilers are now the UK’s most popular type of boiler, representing around 70% of new boiler purchases in Britain.

There are a host of benefits to having a combi boiler fitted in your home; they are small and can even fit into cupboards, saving precious space. They are very economical to run, and have the ability to heat water direct from the mains, so you won't have to wait around for the water to heat up.


How combination boilers work

There are a few different types of combi boiler, but all work by taking cold water straight from the mains and heating it directly. In this way you can have a continuous flow of hot water any time that you want. However the water pressure is often not as high as with some other types of boiler.

This means that if you have a standard - instantaneous - combi boiler, you won’t need a storage cylinder in the airing cupboard or a cold water feed tank (often stored in the loft)saving a lot of space.

Because of the way that they heat your water, combi boilers are also usually more efficient than other boiler types. You won’t lose heat through the storage tank, or have to burn more energy to reheat water that’s gone cold again.

However, combi boilers are not for everyone. Unless you have a model with a storage tank - though these are usually only limited to 15 litres anyway - your hot water supply will be cut if someone turns a tap on somewhere else in the house. So your shower could run cold if someone decides to start washing up at the same time.

Advantages of combination boilers

  • Smaller - they can fit into cupboards and also eliminate the need for a storage cylinder or cold water feed tank
  • More efficient and cheaper to run
  • Instant, unlimited hot water - combi boilers heat water direct from the mains
  • Modern combi boilers can produce up to 18 litres of water a minute at 35°C
  • Storage combi boilers available - if you want to have a small store of hot water

Disadvantages of combination boilers

  • Flow can be interrupted if someone turns on a tap elsewhere in your home
  • Lower volume of water because you heat “on demand”
  • Lower water pressure than some other types of boiler
  • Not suitable for big homes - if you have a high hot water demand a combi boiler probably isn’t best for you


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