Many factors affect the right size UK combi boiler as we shall explain in this article.
After you have read through to the end you may know more than most salespeople
do, and reach a decision that suits your interests best. Then you can find a gas safe
engineer to install it safely for you.
There’s no one size fits all in our industry. Every home is different and the people
living there are unique. Therefore choosing the right size boiler is a lifestyle decision.
The larger the boiler, the greater the energy consumption and your utility bills too.
You could spend more than you need with an oversize one. You therefore need a
balance between having enough hot water, and heating too much. Like we said, it’s
a lifestyle decision you are going to make.
I Am Not Technical How Do I Choose the Right Size UK Combi Boiler?
No worries, let’s try a simple method first. If you are replacing a boiler in your house
ask the family whether the old boiler gave enough hot water or not. Check its size on
the maker’s plate.
You already have one important clue! If the house was not warm enough in winter or
the showers ran cold you need a bigger one. However, if you had more hot water
than you needed that’s another question.
If you think the old boiler might be too large, compare your gas bill with neighbours
who have similar size families. If they are paying less ask what size boiler they have.
This is another important clue to the right size UK combi boiler to suit you and your
family.
Size Matters but Kilowatts May Be More Important
The kilowatt rating matters more than the physical boiler size when it comes to the
utility bill. We can compare these units of energy to a bonfire on Guy Fawkes’ night.
The more logs (kilowatts) the brighter and hotter it burns. But the more wood this
needs.
You need a certain amount of kilowatts for a medium size boiler, but you don’t want
to pay for too many of them. These are how kilowatts stack up against boiler size.
● A reasonable size for a small home 24kW – 27kW
● The above plus a ‘cushion of comfort’ 28kW – 34kW
● A larger home (extended family) 35kW – 42kW,
This may help you home in on the right size UK combi boiler but this is not the end of
the journey yet.
Let’s Apply This Knowledge to Combi Boilers
The most popular heating systems nowadays are combi boilers. That’s because they
have artificial intelligence that gives bathrooms and kitchens priority over radiators.
This makes sense because radiators stay warm for a while after we turn them off.
It does however mean you need to hold back on washing up, or taking a bath while
the radiators warm gradually after a service. That’s unless you are willing to pay for
more kilowatts for the best of both worlds. There are, however tricks of the trade to
help you reach the right decision we share here. It’s a question of balancing supply
and demand with the right size UK combi boiler.
Larger radiators require more energy to heat up properly, and remain at the set
temperature. If the water is not piping hot in the kitchen for washing up, then the
radiators may be stealing the heat meaning the boiler is not the problem.
The opposite situation may apply if you have a larger family all needing to shower in
the morning or after work when they come home. A combi boiler may not have the
energy to keep the radiators going while they do. If you find the temperature in the
house dips, then you may need a conventional boiler with a storage tank.
Turning to Water Flow Theory Next
Your local council aims to supply water under consistent pressure. However, it limits
the flow to each home according to the diameter of the delivery pipes. A combi boiler
must therefore be sufficiently powerful to be able to heat all the water it receives. A
qualified gas safe engineer can measure the flow rate to your current boiler, and
recommend the right size UK combi boiler for your needs.
When you know your flow rate you can also shop around for a combi boiler you can
afford that can handle the flow. If it is too small, it is simply unable to heat the water
properly. It’s like trying to boil a large pot of water on the smallest burner in the
kitchen with the heat turned down low.
Reaching the Decision Which Combi Boiler to Buy
If you have a large house with many rooms it follows you have more radiators (and
probably bathrooms) than a two-bedroom terrace. The hot water will also have to
travel a longer distance resulting in a small loss of heat too.
A combi boiler specialist is able to calculate the minimum combi boiler size you need
for decent showers and warm rooms. However here are some rule-of-thumb
calculations to help you get started with a budget.
Property Bedrooms Radiators Boiler Range
Large House 4 + 15 to 20 35 – 42 Kilowatt
House / Flat 2 – 3 10 to 15 28 – 34 Kilowatt
Smaller Unit 1 – 2 Max 10 24 – 27 Kilowatt
Table 1: General Guideline for Choosing Combi Boiler Size
The above is only a general guideline because of all the other factors we have been
writing about. It’s always best to have an expert visit your home and help you make
the right decision.
Always consult with a registered gas safe technician before you finally decide. They
will also be able to comment on the safety of your appliances, and estimate the cost
of installing your new combi boiler, assuming this is the right solution for you.
However, you are at least a little closer to discovering the right size UK combi boiler
for your family. A boiler really is the heart of a home as it faithfully keeps the rooms
warm all the time.