Frequently Asked Questions
If You’ve Got Questions. We’ve Got Answers!
There are a few different types of modern boilers on the market, and deciding between them can be difficult.
The boiler you’re most likely to have installed is a combi boiler. As the name suggests, these boilers combine a water heater and central heating system in one package. This means you don’t need an external water tank.
A system boiler does require an external tank. However this only stores hot water and all of the heating is carried out by the boiler itself.
The third type of boiler you might come across is a standard boiler. These boilers need hot and cold water tanks and are usually more suited to older homes with existing heating and storage systems.
Choosing between different brands of boiler can be confusing at first, but each brand brings its own advantages and selling points.
Different brands will sit in different price ranges, so look at brands that fit your budget, then use sites like Which? to look into reviews and ratings for different brands to find the right brand for you.
The general lifespan of a boiler is around 10 to 15 years. While this is an average, your boiler may last longer if you take care of it well.
You should decide to replace your boiler when repairs become too expensive or start mounting up. Opting for a new boiler at this point should save you money in the long run.
An expert engineer should be able to help you decide on the right time to replace your boiler.
If you have a boiler fault it’s most likely a common problem with a simple fix. However it can be difficult to understand whether your boiler can be repaired or not when a more serious issue occurs.
The best option here is consult a Which? Trusted Traders engineer. They’ll be able to assess whether your boiler is safe to continue using after a fix or whether it can be repaired at all.
Getting your boiler serviced when there doesn’t appear to be any issue may seem unnecessary, but servicing your boiler once a year should help to prolong its lifespan.
Having an annual service should help you avoid unforeseen problems with your boiler, and keep it running efficiently.
If you’re buying a new boiler, or just trying to decide if you need one, how efficient it is will be a big part of your decision.
To find boilers that are economical, look for their ENERGY STAR rating. A well rated boiler should run very efficiently, whereas a poorly rated model may be more cost effective to replace in the long run.
You should find that all modern boilers are more economical when compared to older models.