Gas boilers are responsible for heating the majority of homes in the UK. With most new gas boilers having a high-efficiency rating of around 90%, it’s no wonder they are such a popular choice. If you are unfamiliar with the various ins and outs of gas boilers, and the time for a boiler upgrade is fast approaching in your household, this article is for you!
How Do Gas Boilers Work?
Gas boilers use natural gas to run, heating up water that pumps through your radiators to warm up your home. Certain models of gas boilers also require an additional hot water cylinder to produce a hot water supply for domestic uses such as baths, showers, and hot taps.
Gas is supplied to your home via the National Grid network. If your home is not connected to the network, you will require a different type of boiler, such as oil. Oil boilers are most common in more rural locations where there is no gas pipeline that runs through the area.
What Are The Different Types Of Gas Boilers?
There are three types of gas boilers you can install inside your home. They include regular, combi, and system boilers. Each boiler has different features that you can benefit from depending on your home and heating requirements.
Regular Gas Boilers
Regular gas boilers are the traditional method of heating your home. They require a hot water cylinder and cold water feed tank to produce hot water and central heating. Because of the extra components, regular gas boilers take up more space and are slightly more complex to install.
You should only consider purchasing a new regular boiler if you already have the correct system running in your home to avoid costly installation fees.
Combi Gas Boilers
Unlike regular gas boilers, combi gas boilers can provide hot water and central heating with just one unit, making them a popular choice for those with limited space. Combi gas boilers are connected to your water mains, providing instant hot water on demand.
However, drawing water from your mains can also affect your water pressure. Those with smaller homes and lower water demand are better suited to this type of boiler.
System Gas Boilers
System gas boilers store hot water inside a hot water cylinder, similar to regular gas boilers. However, these boilers do not require the addition of a cold water feed tank, freeing up some space.
System boilers are ideal for large households with high water demands, providing constant hot water simultaneously without affecting the water pressure in your mains supply.
What Are The Advantages Of Gas Central Heating?
Gas central heating is popular for a reason. Most new gas boilers run efficiently and reliably, heating your home faster than other alternatives. Gas boilers are also among the most affordable, especially if you already have all the necessary pipework.
Gas boilers have particularly low running costs if you own a newer model. By wasting less energy and running more efficiently, gas boilers can help you save money on your utility bills. If you regularly maintain your gas boiler, it can last reliably for up to 15 years, giving you years of warmth and comfort inside your home.
If you want to learn more about the cost and models of gas boilers, you can visit this article written by Boiler Guide: https://www.boilerguide.co.uk/articles/gas-boiler.
What Are The Alternatives To Gas Heating?
Although there is much to love about gas boilers, they do no favours for our environment. In fact, the reduction of gas boilers in UK homes is part of the government’s plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
As part of the gas boiler ban, no gas boilers will be installed in new builds after 2025. While this may sound concerning to those who currently use gas boilers, this new legislation does not apply to homes built before 2025, and there are no plans to replace gas boilers with sustainable alternatives in older homes as of yet.
So, what are the environmentally friendly alternatives to gas boilers? Heat pumps are currently the leading replacement for fossil fuel boilers, running on electricity and renewable energy from the air and ground. These heating systems emit considerably lower carbon emissions, providing a clean and sustainable heating method for UK homes.
However, heat pump prices and installation costs are considerably higher than gas boilers. While the government is encouraging the switch to renewable heating alternatives with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), gas boilers remain a cost-effective and efficient way to heat your home.
Article written by Boiler Guide.
