Buying a new boiler? If so, you might be daunted by the task ahead. After all, a boiler is a significant investment that you’ll want to last you for the next 10-15 years.
But unless you’re in the heating industry yourself, there’s an overwhelming amount of jargon to navigate.
From all of the anecdotes and heating myths from well-meaning friends; to all of the different makes and models of boilers; it can be hard to know where to start.
But don’t worry, The Heating People are here to help! We’ve put together this handy guide to help you on your journey to your perfect new boiler.
For tailored advice, contact us today to book your free survey.
Tip 1: Find an expert installer you can trust
This is the most important tip for buying a new boiler.
In fact, we could scrap all of the other tips! Because the right installer will guide you through the whole process; and will help you to address everything else in this blog!
But doing a bit of research and thinking about some of the important considerations ahead of time; will help you to make an informed choice.
Gas Safe
First off, when looking for an engineer, it’s important to recognise the safety implications. Most heating systems in the UK are currently powered by gas.
So, it’s vital to check that your engineer is Gas Safe registered.
We’ve dedicated a whole blog to the reasons why choosing a Gas Safe engineer is so important. And you can read it here. But suffice it to say, choosing a cowboy can have fatal consequences. So don’t take the risk!
But your engineer needs to have the skills and expertise to get the best out of your boiler; as well as being qualified to install it.
Expertise
There’s little point investing thousands of pounds in an all-singing-and-dancing efficient new boiler; and asking a charlatan to install it for you. You’ll just be wasting your money.
Unfortunately, there is a vast skills and knowledge gap within the heating industry. The Heating Hub says that:
‘99% of installers do not understand how condensing gas boilers work and therefore cannot set them up to run as they were designed to.’
This is a frightening statistic, but unfortunately, we’re not surprised. We’re tired of the one-size-fits-all approach to boiler installation.
Why expertise matters when it comes to your new boiler…
A lot of heating ‘engineers’ still use the crude method of counting radiators to determine boiler size. But this is inaccurate.
It wasn’t the right way to do it in the past. And it isn’t the right way to do it now.
It’s just another illustration of the lack of understanding; and the lazy approach to heating design that plagues us in the UK.
Rest assured that you won’t find any of our engineers counting radiators. We install boilers the right way, following the industry standard (Part L of the Energy Efficiency Regulations).
We’re proud to be part of the Heat Geek Elite (link at the end of this article). Our tailored service uses scientific calculations to match you with the perfect boiler for your home and lifestyle.
So when looking for a new boiler; remember that it will only be as good as the engineer who sets it up!
Tip 2: Decide on the right type of boiler for your needs
When you’re thinking about a boiler replacement, the first question to ask yourself is what type of boiler you want.
There are three main types of boiler system: heat-only or conventional boilers; system boilers; and combination or ‘combi’ boilers.
Just because you currently have a particular type of boiler now, doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it forever.
You need to start by asking yourself whether you want to replace like for like. Or whether you want to take the opportunity to switch to a different type of boiler.
Stick or switch?
Switching to a different type of boiler is generally more expensive than a like-for-like swap; due to the change in infrastructure. But a boiler is a significant investment, and you’ll want to get it right.
Switching to a different type of boiler might improve your home comfort. As well as reducing your energy bills, so you need to think long term.
Having said that; if you were happy enough with your old boiler when it was working well; then the same type of boiler could be a good option.
If lots of circumstances have changed since your last boiler was installed; or you inherited it from a previous occupier, you should consider your other options.
If for example, your family has grown, and your current combi boiler is struggling to keep up with your demands for hot water; you might be better off switching to a system boiler.
So what are the options? Although there are many different makes and models of boiler, they all fall into three basic types. For the sake of this blog, we’ll keep this brief:
Heat-only or ‘conventional’ boilers
Heat-only or conventional boilers are often thought of as the traditional way of heating a home.
They’re designed to provide both heating and hot-water with the use of an additional cold-water tank and hot-water cylinder.
Heat-only boilers are typically found in larger properties; as they can supply large amounts of hot water to multiple taps and showers at the same time.
These boilers have a large feed tank which is usually stored in an attic or loft. This tank fills with cold water from the mains supply. The water is heated by the boiler; and is stored in the hot water cylinder to supply your taps and shower heads.
Where do heat-only boilers work best?
Heat-only boilers work well in large households with multiple bathrooms. Because they can supply large amounts of hot water to multiple outlets at the same time.
Another bonus is that they can be fitted with an additional electrical immersion heater. This can provide you with back-up hot water in the event of a boiler breakdown.
The drawbacks of these boilers are that they need more space than the other two types of boiler; because of the external tank and cylinder.
Because they store hot water, there is a lack of instant hot water. Once you’ve used up what’s in the cylinder, you’ll have to wait for it to refill.
You can read their pros and cons here.
Combination or ‘combi’ boilers
Combi boilers are the most popular type of domestic boiler sold in the UK.
‘Combi’ is short for ‘combination’ boiler. Because it combines all the components of a traditional central heating system into one compact unit.
A combi boiler provides hot water on demand; rather than storing it in a tank or cylinder. It works by taking cold water directly from the mains and heating it as and when you need it.
Where do combi boilers work best?
Combi boilers are useful in properties that are short on space because the boiler itself is the only component part. They’re often compact enough to fit inside a kitchen cupboard.
Another advantage is that they never run out of hot water because they heat it on demand. But they do struggle to supply multiple outlets at the same time.
So, if you have multiple bathrooms; or family members who want to take showers at the same time; a combi isn’t your best option.
You can read their pros and cons here.
System boilers
System boilers feature aspects of both a heat-only boiler and a combi.
Like a heat-only boiler; a system boiler needs a hot water storage cylinder to heat and store hot water for your taps. But it doesn’t need a tank in the attic because like a combi; it takes its water supply directly from the mains.
Once heated, the water is stored in a hot-water cylinder until it’s needed. Since there is a large store of hot water always available; a steady supply can be maintained even if multiple taps or showers are in use at the same time.
Where do system boilers work best?
Similarly to heat-only boilers, system boilers work well in large households with multiple bathrooms because they store hot water.
Their advantages over heat-only boilers are that they don’t require as much space; and they have a much wider range of control options available.
They’re also easy to integrate with renewable heating systems such as solar power. And they can be installed to low temperature, high efficiency heating systems.
Again, like a heat-only boiler there is a lack of instant hot water. Although this can be minimised with the correct controllers.
You can read their pros and cons here.
Tip 3: Choose the right size of boiler for your needs
The next thing to think about is what size of boiler you need.
We don’t mean the physical dimensions of the appliance itself. But rather how much energy is output by the boiler in terms of heat, which is measured in kilowatts (kW).
For example, a 25kW boiler uses 25,000 watts (25 kW) of power per hour; to heat the water for your central heating.
Generally, the more heat and hot water you require for your home, the higher the kW boiler you will need. But the type of boiler you have will affect this.
Choosing the correct size of boiler for your needs is crucial. If you choose a boiler that’s too big, you’ll be wasting energy and paying over the odds on your bills.
But if it’s too small, it might not be powerful enough to heat your home; or give you enough hot water.
How boilers are sized
As we mentioned earlier, there are lots of ‘engineers’ that will install much bigger boilers than you actually need. Because they either don’t understand how to design a heating system properly, or because, frankly, they’re lazy!
The only way to find the correct size of boiler is through a whole house heat loss calculation. These are the industry standard for sizing boilers under Part L of the Energy Efficiency Regulations.
These regulations provide guidance on the conservation of fuel and power under The Building Regulations Act 2010.
Energy Efficiency Best Practice requires a heat loss calculation to be conducted before installing a new boiler.
So you definitely need to avoid online ‘calculators’. Or anyone who just wants to count some radiators and have a guess!
To learn more about how boilers are sized, see our related blog: What size boiler do I need?
Tip 4: Choose the boiler manufacturer that best meets your needs
If you’ve done a Google search for a new boiler, you might be surprised by just how many boiler manufacturers there are. All offering their own extensive ranges of boilers, often with long and convoluted names!
Unsurprisingly then, we often get asked: ‘which manufacturer is best?’ by our customers. And unfortunately, there’s no easy answer – it really does depend!
Just as there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ boiler for everybody, there’s no ‘right’ boiler brand either.
Each brand (and individual model within the brand) has their own pros and cons. Which need to be weighed up for your particular needs.
How to choose a manufacturer
Don’t just pick the one that everyone else seems to be getting. Because what’s right for them, might not be right for you.
Although ATAG is a bit of a dark horse in the domestic boiler market; their engineering is outstanding. And they’re producing the most efficient boilers in Europe. So don’t write them off because they’re not a household name (yet!)
And hopefully it goes without saying, but you shouldn’t just pick a manufacturer because of how a boiler looks!
Lots of people like the new Lifestyle range from Worcester Bosch because they look stylish. But make sure that’s not the only thing you’re choosing them for!
Instead, it’s advisable to do a bit of research into what each manufacturer brings to the table for the type of boiler you’re looking for; and what you’re hoping to achieve with it.
After all, your boiler will be the hardest working appliance in your home for at least the next decade; so it needs some thought!
Tip 5: Check how efficient your new boiler is and what additional heating controls you might need or want
With gas prices soaring 250% since January, and COP26, boiler efficiency has become more important than ever.
At its simplest, an efficient boiler needs to burn the least amount of fuel to do its job.
An inefficient boiler does the opposite. It burns loads more fuel to do exactly the same job; which makes it more expensive to run, and worse for the planet.
To put this into context, an old non-condensing G-rated boiler that is 70% efficient wastes 30p in every £1 that you spend on heating.
Whereas a new A-rated boiler with 92% efficiency is only wasting 8p in every £1.
Unfortunately, the process involved in burning fuel for heat will always result in some heat loss and wasted energy. But, it’s clear to see that a more efficient boiler will save you money.
Changes to the law in 2005 and the Boiler Plus regulations; mean that all new boilers have condensing technology and are A-rated for efficiency. New combi boilers also have to have one of four additional energy saving devices fitted.
You should check out our related blog: How to choose an energy efficient boiler.
Heating controls
To optimise your energy efficiency, you need to pair your new boiler with appropriate heating controls.
According to the Energy Saving Trust; you can save £70 and 300kg of carbon dioxide a year by installing and correctly using a programmer; room thermostat; and thermostatic radiator valves.
You should also consider investing in smart controls. Smart heating controls can often connect to the internet and can be controlled remotely through a tablet or smartphone.
There are a huge variety of options available with smart controls, such as zoning, geo-fencing and intelligent learning systems.
This gives you smarter control of your heating; remote access; and the promise from manufacturers of energy savings of between 20-30%.
The Heating People will be able to advise you on the best options for your central heating system.
Tip 6: Check the guarantee that comes with your new boiler
All new boilers come with a guarantee from the boiler manufacturer.
This means that if you experience a genuine fault with the boiler during the ‘guarantee period’; the manufacturer will repair the boiler free of charge.
Different manufacturers offer different lengths of guarantees. And often offer extended guarantees if the boiler is installed by an accredited installer.
New boilers with The Heating People come with a guarantee of up to 14 years, for your peace of mind.
Once we have installed your new boiler, we’ll register it with the manufacturers to activate its guarantee.
But you need to have your boiler serviced annually by a Gas Safe engineer to maintain its guarantee; whichever manufacturer you choose.
Conclusion…
We hope that you’ve found these tips helpful. For tailored advice on your new boiler, contact us today to book your free survey.
If you’ve looked online for 
System boilers are sometimes confused with heat-only boilers because they too have a separate hot water cylinder.
A combi or ‘combination’ boiler
System boilers take their cold water supply directly from the incoming mains supply. The cold water is passed over the boiler’s heat exchanger, which heats up the water.
Another advantage of system boilers over combis; is that they are easier to integrate with renewable heating systems, such as solar power.
Another great thing about system boilers is that they can be installed to low temperature, high efficiency heating.
Another bonus of having a system boiler over a combi; is that it can have an electric immersion heater fitted to its hot water cylinder.
Combi boilers never run out of hot water because they heat water instantly on demand. But as we’ve seen, system boilers don’t work like that. They heat water and then store it in a cylinder until it’s needed.
One of the reasons that combi boilers are highly efficient; is because they heat water instantly on demand, and so you only pay for what you use.
System boilers are a great choice for larger homes with a high demand for hot water. They come with the added advantage of being compatible with low temperature heating and renewable energy sources.
Are you confused about the difference between the Vaillant ecoTEC Pro and the Vaillant ecoTEC Plus?
If you’ve looked at any boilers online, you’ll have undoubtedly come across Vaillant. Vaillant is one of the leading manufacturers of heating and cooling products in the world.
Vaillant has built up a solid reputation for quality over the last 140 years.
Vaillant pride themselves on their focus on sustainability, with ‘thinking ahead’ being their motto which is reflected in their products’ 
Alongside energy efficiency, Vaillant is well known for its technological innovation.
Depending on the model, Vaillant boilers come with 2-5 years parts and labour warranty as standard, but many have up to a 10 year warranty available when installed by a Vaillant Advance Installer, such as The Heating People.
The cost of Vaillant boilers varies depending on the type of system and particular model that you choose.
Both the Vaillant ecoTEC pro and the Vaillant ecoTEC plus are 
Vaillant’s ecoTEC line is popular with consumers because they offer efficient performance alongside sleek design.
The Vaillant ecoTEC pro is a popular high efficiency boiler that is suitable for use in small to medium sized homes (such as 1-bedroom properties, flats or apartments).
The EcoTEC Plus is a higher spec version of the Ecotec Pro and is described by Vaillant as their ‘flagship’ boiler.
If you’ve been left wondering how the pro and the plus differ from the exclusive, then we’re here to help!
We hope that you’ve found this article helpful. You might also like our related blog: 
Wondering how the Worcester Bosch Greenstar 4000 compares to the old Worcester Bosch Greenstar i? …
Even if you’re not aware of their different models; we’re willing to bet that you’ve heard of the boiler manufacturer, Worcester Bosch.
The Worcester Bosch Group has built up a solid reputation for quality over the last 50 years.
Part of the reason we’ve written this blog is because there are so many different types of 
Worcester Bosch provide hefty 10-year warranties. So you can have the peace of mind that should anything go wrong, you’ll be covered.
All Worcester Bosch boilers are ErP (Energy-related Products) A-rated.
You can’t buy Worcester Bosch boilers directly from Worcester Bosch. Instead, you need to have one supplied through a Worcester Accredited Installer, such as The Heating People.
Prior to the introduction of the Greenstar 4000, Worcester’s most popular combi boiler was the Greenstar i. The Greenstar i is no longer in production, but there are still some in the supply chain.
The Worcsetr Bosch Greenstar 4000 is 10% quieter than the Greenstar i, so it’s whisper quiet!
If you’re thinking of upgrading your old Greenstar 30i to theWorcester Bosch Greenstar 4000; the latest SimpleSwitch feature means that replacement is even easier.
If you liked the old Greenstar i; you’ll definitely like the new Greenstar 4000, which is following in the footsteps of its best-selling predecessor.
With 
If you’ve read our blog: 
The energy price cap will increase from the 1st of April for approximately 22 million customers.
Previously, a good way of saving money on energy bills was to check your bills and switch to a different (and cheaper) energy provider.
The first step in reducing your gas bill, is to keep a watchful eye on how you’re using your energy.
If you only have a basic room thermostat, it’s worth upgrading to a programmable thermostat.
A significant step-up from the programmable thermostat, is the smart thermostat.
If your radiators have basic valves that only let you turn them on or off, you should consider upgrading them to 
One of the simplest ways to save energy is by 
As well as turning your thermostat down by one degree, you should think about whether you can alter your heating schedule without affecting your comfort.
As well as heating the rooms in your home, your boiler is also using energy to give you hot water.
If you have a hot water cylinder with an electric immersion heater, you should use your boiler to heat your water, even in the summer.
A recent report by the Heating and Hot Water Council (HHIC) found that households can save around 6-8% on their gas bill just by turning down the flow temperature on their condensing combi boiler.
Booking an annual service with a 
Although they’re often overlooked, your radiators are just as important as your boiler in keeping you warm.
Another simple tip to help your radiators do their job, is to check that they’re not being obstructed by any sofas or big pieces of furniture.
The last thing you want when you’ve paid a premium for your gas, is for your heat to be pouring out of your house as quickly as you’re producing it. But without decent insulation, that’s precisely what’s happening!
The EST says that where an average semi-detached house goes from having no insulation, to 270mm of insulation, energy bills will be reduced by up to £150 per year, and carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by up to 610 kg.
To effectively draught-proof your property, block up any unwanted gaps that let cold air in. This can be as simple as hanging heavy curtains; using a chimney balloon; and placing rugs over gaps in floor boards.
If you have an 
It’s also worth checking whether you’re eligible for any energy schemes or grants to help you pay your energy bills. Some schemes to investigate include:
If you’ve decided it’s
There are many reasons why you might be looking for a new boiler. And ultimately, the cost of a boiler will depend on what your heating and hot water needs are; and what you’re hoping to achieve from your new heating system.
The next question to help determine cost, is 
Just like with anything you buy, be it a mobile phone, or a pair of trainers; the brand (or manufacturer) of boiler that you choose can make a difference to the price that you’ll pay.
When people talk about how powerful your boiler needs to be they are referring to the kW (kilowatt) output, rather than the physical size of the appliance itself.
But don’t worry – The Heating People will find the 
But since we get asked this a lot, here is a very rough guide on the kW boiler that will cater to your home.
The price of replacing a boiler costs less than you might think. It obviously depends on what you are changing from, and what you are changing to. But as a rough guide, at The Heating People:
Once you have 
After visiting your home, we’ll send you a fixed price quotation. This will have details of the boilers we recommend based on your survey, together with any accessories and options that you may wish to add to your quotation.
Depending on what we have discussed during the quotation stage, we will use the
Your engineer will then install your new boiler, the boiler flue, and make all the pipework connections.
Your engineer will then complete a handover with you when all the work is complete. This ensures that you are as informed as possible on how to operate the boiler, how to use all the controls, and how to get the best efficiency from your system.
How long a boiler replacement will take, will vary depending on what work is needed, if your boiler is moving location or if you have a like-for-like boiler. It usually takes between 1-3 days.
Confused
‘Combi’ is short for ‘combination’ boiler because it provides both your heating and hot water from one all-in-one (combined) unit.
The terms ‘condensing boilers’ and ‘non-condensing boilers’ are misleading. They actually describe the technology within the boiler itself, rather than what sort of boiler it is.
As we’ve mentioned, all new boilers have condensing technology which makes them much 
Unfortunately, yes. But only for as long as it takes the boiler to heat up more water.
Let’s look at some of the advantages of a heat-only boiler:
Electric immersion heaters can be fitted to the hot water cylinder of a heat-only boiler system. This can heat the water instead of the boiler.
Disadvantage: Heat-only boilers require a lot of space
As we mentioned earlier, heat-only boilers are generally the least efficient type of boiler. Because they have the fewest control options, and they store hot water in a cylinder.
6 signs that you need a new boiler…
The average lifespan of a boiler
Just because your boiler is knocking on a bit, doesn’t necessarily mean it should be sent to the scrap heap.
When considering the age of your boiler, you should look at its energy efficiency rating.
Sometimes your boiler will carry on working, but only just!
If you find that you’re regularly running out of hot water for your baths, showers, or other normal household activities, it could be a sign that your family has outgrown your boiler.
If your boiler has suddenly stopped producing any hot water, or your water is always tepid, you could have a 
If it seems like there’s always something wrong with your boiler, and you’re constantly paying out for repairs, it may be time to bite the bullet and get a replacement.
Does it sound like there’s aircraft taking off in your utility room?!
Forgive us for pointing out the obvious, but puddles of water around your boiler are a bad sign!
If you’ve noticed your energy bills or your energy meter are going up faster than normal – and this isn’t just because of the 
When your boiler reaches its golden years, or starts acting up, it can be hard to know whether you should keep repairing it or replace it with a new model.
Wondering if it’s time for a boiler replacement? 
ATAG 
We’re proud to be ATAG Selected Partners. Because ATAG’s boilers aren’t just the most efficient in Europe, they’re built to last.
We also love the Economiser because of its unique iCon heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is a vital component in all boilers. It’s the bit that transfers the heat from the fuel (usually gas) to the water.
ATAG has such faith in their boilers, that they come with hefty guarantees. Every ATAG boiler carries a 10 year guarantee as standard with options up to 14 years.
All ATAG boilers are ErP (Energy-related Products) A-rated. And adding an ATAG ONE or TADO V3+ internet-connected Smart controller; can further boost your heating system efficiency to an impressive 98% (also known as A+).
All the boilers featured in this blog are compatible with third party smart controls, such as Nest and Honeywell. This means that you have much greater 
As well as having built in FGHRS, ATAG’s combi boilers also come with an outside weather compensator. Which is yet another of the four energy saving devices from the Boiler Plus legislation.
The EcoTEC exclusive with green iQ is Vaillant’s premium boiler. And they describe it as ‘the best in the business’ – and we rate it too.
We’re proud to be Vaillant Advance Installers.
Another fantastic thing about the exclusive (as with the ATAG iC Economiser), is that it comes with in-built FGHRS. This helps improve efficiency, and reduce energy bills.
If noise from your boiler bothers you, then a Vaillant might just be for you. Even when running at their full capacity, Vaillant boilers are renowned for their quiet performance.
The EcoTEC plus comes with a 5-year guarantee as standard; which can be extended to 7 years when you book a Vaillant Advance installer. Or 10 years when fitted with a Boiler Protection Kit by a Vaillant Advance installer, such as The Heating People.
The Worcester Bosch Group has built up a solid reputation for quality over the last 50 years. Which? has helped them to become a household name by giving them the highest brand score for several years running.
Worcester Bosch provides hefty 10-year warranties. So you can have peace of mind that should anything go wrong, you’ll be covered.
The Greenstar 4000 is Worcester Bosch’s mid-range boiler, sitting between the 2000 and 8000 boilers.
The 
Both Lifestyle boilers are available in outputs of up to 50kW for combi boilers. Making them the most powerful wall hung combi boilers on the market.
The Worcester Bosch Greenstar 8000 Life comes with a guarantee of up to 12 years when installed by a Worcester Bosch accredited installer; such as The Heating People.
If you’ve noticed your gas bill soaring in recent weeks, or your energy supplier has gone bust – you’re not alone.
The wholesale price of gas has increased by 250% since January 2021. It rose 70% from August to September, according to trade association Oil & Gas UK.
So far, the government says it will offer extra help worth a total of £350.
The UK has become more and more reliant on natural gas. It’s currently used to heat 85% of homes in the UK. We also heavily rely on it to generate our electricity.
Thanks to climate change, we also had a much longer and colder winter in 2020-2021.
The UK has a much lower gas storage capacity than other countries in the EU. We only hold 1% of Europe’s total available storage.
To add to our woes with gas; we’ve had more than our fair share of struggles with most of our other sources of power too!
If your supplier goes bust, don’t panic – your gas supply won’t just be cut off!
Yes! Instead of searching for a cheaper deal (which currently don’t exist!); the Energy Saving Trust is encouraging householders to look at maximising the efficiency of their heating systems. and making changes to their homes and habits to help offset current price rises.
When gas prices are sky-high, you need a boiler that’s going to give you the most bang for your buck.
When you’re paying a premium to heat your home, that last thing you want is for all of your lovely 
You could get £140 off your electricity bill for winter 2021 to 2022 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The money is not paid to you – it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between October and March.