Image of a father with a baby on his knee next to his laptop.
Image of a father with a baby on his knee next to his laptop.

What kind of boiler do I need for my home?

Learn all about the different types of boilers so you can make an informed choice about which boiler will work for you.

Get a new gas boiler quote

Different types of boilers UK

Depending on what type of fuel your boiler runs on, there are several different options you can choose from.

Combination (combi) boilers are most widely used in the UK, but they don't suit every household. If you have multiple bathrooms and radiators in your home, you may require a larger one.

This is necessary to ensure that there is enough heat and hot water available. Like a regular boiler or system boiler. Choosing the wrong type could result in paying more to heat your home and delays for hot water.

We'll help you find the gas boiler that suits your home and needs. You can discover the different options available and the advantages and disadvantages of different boiler types. And why most gas-heated boilers are now condensing ones?

Get a new gas boiler quote

Which type of boiler do I have?

  • A combi boiler will have five copper pipes at the bottom of it, and you won't have a hot water storage cylinder.
  • A system boiler only has three copper pipes at the bottom and a hot water cylinder.
  • A heat-only boiler will have two copper pipes on top and one at the bottom. It will also have a hot water cylinder and a cold water tank in your loft.
  • If you have an LPG or oil boiler, you need to refill a separate storage tank behind your house when it gets low.

Now that you know which type of boiler you have, we can help you choose a replacement.

Image of a child in a bubble bath
Image of a child in a bubble bath

Let us help you choose the best boiler for your home

Discover all the different types of boilers that are available through E.ON. We'll discuss the benefits and limitations of each option and explain how they work. This will give you the information you need to make the best decision for yourself and your home.

All of the boilers we install now are condensing and have a high efficiency rate since regulations were changed in 2005. So you can relax knowing that choosing a boiler from E.ON will be more energy-efficient, helping you to save on your energy bills.

 

Combination boilers

Let's start with space-saving combi boilers; they get their hot water from the mains cold water supply. It heats whenever you need to heat your home or provides you with hot water. They're perfect for smaller homes or flats that only have one bathroom, consuming less heat and having reduced hot water requirements in comparison to larger homes.

Here are the benefits and limitations of a combi boiler:

Regular boilers

They are also known as heat only boilers and heat your radiators and hot water using two water tanks in your attic. One feeds water to heat your hot water cylinder, while the other tops up your central heating system when it needs it.

Here are the benefits and limitations of a regular boiler:

System boilers

Larger homes that have an increased demand for heating and hot water use them. System boilers store hot water in a separate cylinder for distribution, unlike combi boilers, which provide hot water instantly.

Here are the benefits and limitations of a system boiler:

Condensing boilers

There are several reasons why a new boiler is more efficient than a old one but the biggest reason is that they're "condensing." due to the change in regulation in 2005.

Condensation is caused by a two-stage burning process built into new boilers. This process is designed to ignite any unburnt gas produced from the first-stage ignition. The second stage of firing burns the unburnt gas, which produces excess heat and condensation, resulting in a more energy-efficient lower caborn boiler.

 

 

Learn more about the boilers we offer

Are you looking to buy a new boiler?

Whether you're looking for a boiler replacement or a different type of boiler altogether, we'll provide you with the right information to help you make the perfect choice for your home and budget.

A black Worcester Bosch combi boiler with display

Combi boilers

Great for smaller homes as they can fit in a cupboard and you don’t need a hot water cylinder or cold water storage tank, so they don't take up any loft space either.

 

Combi boilers
A white Worcester Bosch regular boiler with display

Regular boilers

If there are several people living in your household and you often use hot water at the same time, consider a regular boiler. They're linked to a hot water cylinder and a cold water storage tank, and are great in areas with low water pressure.

Regular boilers
A black Worcester Bosch system boiler with display

System boilers

Designed for homes with more than one bathroom, system boilers give you a constant supply of hot water to multiple taps. There’s no need for the tank in the loft either.

 

System boilers

Long-term energy savings with a new boiler

The UK determines the efficiency levels of boilers based on how much fuel converts into usable energy. Our Worcester Bosch boilers achieve 94% efficiency, which means the boiler wastes only 6% of the fuel used. You could save £580 a year by switching to a more efficient gas boiler.1

See how much a new boiler installation costs and the boiler brands we offer with an online quote.

Get a new gas boiler quote

What's the lower-carbon alternative to a boiler?

An air source heat pump is a great alternative to replacing your old boiler. If you're looking for a more sustainable way to heat your home, this could be just what you need. An air source heat pump uses the heat from the air outside to provide hot water and heat for your home. With the Boiler Upgrade Scheme2, you can get a government grant that saves you £7,500 on installation. 

Get a quote for a heat pump

The legal stuff

1. Savings information for boilers in the UK provided by the Energy Saving Trust, based on a detached house with a boiler rating of G.

2. The Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme is valid for heat pumps that are commissioned from April 1st 2022. To be eligible for the grant, a valid, Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) from the last 10 years, with no recommendations for cavity wall or loft insulation is required. Unfortunately new build homes are ineligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Owner and property eligibility apply. To see the full eligibility criteria and exclusions, visit the Government Boiler Upgrade Scheme website.  

More about boilers

Explore even more boilers

Explore
Heating Hub
Learn
Gas Vs Electric
Compare
Ideal Boilers