Combi boilers
A combination (“combi”) boiler heats your radiators and gives you hot water on demand, straight from the mains. There is no hot water cylinder and no loft tanks, so it takes up little space.
- Good for: flats and smaller homes, and properties with one or two bathrooms
- Pros: compact, hot water on demand, no cylinder or loft tanks, mains-pressure hot water
- Cons: hot water flow can drop if several taps or showers are used at once, and it needs a decent incoming water supply
System boilers
A system boiler works with a separate hot water cylinder, which stores hot water ready to use. The main parts of the heating system are built into the boiler, so there are no loft tanks.
- Good for: larger homes with more than one bathroom, or where lots of hot water is used at the same time
- Pros: plenty of stored hot water, several outlets at once, no loft tanks
- Cons: needs space for a cylinder, and the stored hot water can run out if used heavily
Regular (conventional) boilers
A regular boiler, sometimes called a heat-only or conventional boiler, works with a hot water cylinder and a cold water storage tank and feed and expansion tank in the loft.
- Good for: older homes that already have this type of system, especially larger ones
- Pros: works well with older pipework and radiators, plenty of stored hot water, can supply several outlets
- Cons: needs a cylinder and loft tanks, so takes up more space, and the system is more complicated
At a glance
| Combi | System | Regular | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot water | On demand from the mains | Stored in a cylinder | Stored in a cylinder |
| Needs a cylinder? | No | Yes | Yes |
| Needs loft tanks? | No | No | Yes |
| Best for | Small and medium homes | Larger homes, several bathrooms | Older systems |
| Space needed | Least | Medium | Most |
How to choose
Think about how many bathrooms you have, how many people live in the house and how much hot water you use at the same time. If you already have a cylinder and loft tanks, it can be simplest to stay with a regular or system boiler. If you want to free up space and have modest hot water needs, a combi is often best.
The best way to be sure is to have someone look at your home. JR Plumbing and Heating gives free, no-obligation quotes on boiler installations in Sheffield and will recommend what suits your property. Call 07377 869384.
Frequently asked questions
Which type of boiler is best for a small house?
A combi boiler is often the best choice for small and medium homes, because it saves space and gives hot water on demand.
Can I swap a regular boiler for a combi?
Often, yes, but it depends on your water pressure, pipework and how much hot water you use. We will check when we quote.
Do system boilers need a loft tank?
No. A system boiler has the main components built in, so there is no feed and expansion tank in the loft, but it does use a hot water cylinder.
Are combi boilers more efficient?
Modern boilers of all three types can be efficient. The best choice depends on your home and how you use hot water, not just efficiency.
Prefer not to do it yourself, or not sure what is wrong? JR Plumbing and Heating covers Sheffield and the surrounding areas, with free, no-obligation quotes and a 24/7 emergency service. Call 07377 869384.