Author: NBS Admin

Nowadays, most newly built and updated homes are fitted with combi boilers. These systems get the combi name as they provide hot water for both the central heating and taps and shower heads. The additional duties lead some people to question what temperature is best for combi boilers to be set at, especially if they have moved into a new property. 

Below are our temperature recommendations for combi boilers. 

 

What does boiler temperature mean? 

When you see references to ‘boiler temperature’, it concerns the heat inside the boiler unit itself. This is an important distinction, as it is likely to be different from the temperature readings put out by thermostats around the property.  

Combi boilers utilise condensing technology to heat water to be used for keeping your home warm. Unlike regular boilers, a condensing boiler has an improved heat efficiency by making use of waste gases. This process involves the extraction of latent heat from flue gases in addition to heat generation through fuel burning.

 

Benefits of setting boiler temperature 

One of the main reasons you would want to set your boiler temperature is for heating efficiency. By their nature, combi boilers are already more efficient at heating than non-condensing boilers, with newer models able to reach over 90%. Although efficiency levels will vary between models, most non-condensing types will only reach 70-80% efficiency. 

This typically means just 10% of the heat that combi boilers will be lost, and the rest put to use heating your home. However, this efficiency can be compromised if the boiler is producing too much or too little heat. As combi boilers run on gas and electricity, the result is that your bills could increase unnecessarily. 

Boiler temperature can be adjusted depending on your property and the type of rooms. For instance, it’s recommended that less heat is allocated to bedrooms than other parts of the property. If your home has a separate thermostat for your bedroom, this can be set at a lower temperature while the boiler temperature remains the same. Heat efficiency can also be improved by setting a boiler timer, which you can get more information on here. 

 

Recommended set temperature for a combi boiler 

Unfortunately, there isn’t one size fits all when it comes to setting the best temperature for a boiler. Along with the potential influence of building factors, different makes and models can produce different levels of heat efficiency. Generally, the best way to guarantee boiler efficiency is to set the flow temperature as low as possible without removing heat from the property. Instead, below is advice from our expert in-house engineers on what internal temperature is best for a combi boiler. 

Central heating 

Modern combi boilers should be set at a flow temperature of between 60-70°C. This is the heat of the water intended for use in central heating and to be transported to radiators throughout the home. A temperature no higher than 70°C is recommended as any hotter will risk compromising the boiler efficiency by preventing the system from entering the condensing mode.  

In warmer months, boiler flow temperature can be reduced. Typically, 50-55°C is adequate to provide enough heat to your home. Certain home features such as thick carpets and double glazing, can enable this lower temperature to be effective during winter too as it helps trap heat. 

Hot water outlets 

The temperature for use in water outlets such as taps and showers can be set lower, at around 50°C. As cooling occurs in the time it takes for the water to reach the exit point, this temperature setting ensures the water doesn’t scald at the point of use. To guarantee avoiding this, you can set it slightly lower at 45°C. 

 

How to set combi boiler temperature 

When setting your boiler temperature, the first thing to do is to check the user manual. Most boilers have a control knob or dial that can be turned to adjust the working temperature.  As mentioned earlier, the boiler will not display room temperatures unless you have an internal stat fitted. Nevertheless, combi boiler heating temperature setting in modern units is usually done with a digital LCD screen. 

Using Viessman boilers as an example, the radiator outlet temperature can be altered by: 

• Finding the MODE button and pressing it. It should be on the front of the boiler unit. 
• Once the radiator icon flashes, select it by pressing OK. 
• You should now be able to change the temperature up and down in increments of 1°C with the arrow keys. 
• When you reach your desired temperature, confirm it by pressing OK again. 

The process is the same for adjusting the tap output temperature, except you should look for the tap icon at the first stage. If you’re having any issues with your boiler control interface, National Boiler Spares provides a range of branded boiler spares to help meet your needs. 

 

Delivered spare parts for boilers 

Many people have never considered if they need to adjust their boiler temperature settings. However, a comfortable heating level is essential to ensuring a good quality of life. With a boiler set to the right temperature, you’ll be able to heat your home to the desired temperature in a short space of time. If you suspect your boiler temperature is inaccurate or inefficient, don’t hesitate to contact us today. It could be costing you hundreds of pounds every month due to over-heating. 

Heat pumps are a heating solution for properties that makes use of naturally occurring heat sources. This technology is slowly being adopted in the UK as a way for homes to be more environmentally friendly. As such, they are becoming more common features on newly built properties. In this blog, we’ll be discussing all there is to know about boiler heat pumps. 

 

Function of a heat pump 

A heat pump is a tool that uses environmental energy found in the air or bodies of water to generate heat for buildings. They can also provide cooling by removing heat from the interior of a house and distributing it outside.  

Due to how they function, heat pumps are typically used to supply heat to underfloor heating and other supplementary features. They are therefore often present alongside radiators and boilers. As such, if your boiler breaks down you likely won’t be able to rely on a heat pump alone to heat your home and you will need to seek boiler spare parts. 

Heat pumps operate in the following way: 

1. The heat source, whether outside air or water, is collected and transferred to the surface of the heat exchanger. 
2. Heat is transferred to a special refrigerant liquid, which then vaporises as a result. 
3. This gas is pressurised to increase the temperature further. 
4. The hot gases are now ready to be transferred to either the home’s central heating or hot water system. 
5. The cooled and liquid refrigerant returns of the pump so the process can renew.

 

Types of boiler heat pump 

There are a few types of heat pump which differ based on how they generate heat. As a result, certain homes are more likely to use one type of heat pump over the others due to its location and the surrounding environment. 

Air-source heat pumps 

The most common type of heat pump, air-source heat pumps extract heat from external air. Many properties above the ground floor such as flats and apartment complexes will use this type of pump. It is often located on the roof or another external wall fitting. 

Geothermal heat pumps 

A subterranean heat pump designed to extract heat from the ground. These systems are usually unnoticeable once they have been fully installed, save for any surface piping. 

Water-source heat pumps 

A heat pump embedded in a water source from which it extracts the heat. Water heat pumps are often more reliable than other types as the temperature of it fluctuates less. 

 

Boiler replacement parts  

Even if your home has a heat pump, it’s still advisable to have a working boiler to ensure efficient heating. In fact, many modern homes will have a hybrid system that utilises a heat pump and a boiler working in tandem. However, this can only be effective when both systems are performing their intended function. National Boiler Spares has a range of over 20,000 repair products, including boiler spare parts. Contact us today to arrange next delivery. 

The boiler pressure relief valve is responsible for allowing a pressure to leave the internal system safely. It’s a boiler part that serves an essential safety function by preventing dangerous levels of temperature and pressure build up. Excessive pressure can lead to internal damage, loss of heating capability and even risk of explosion. Due to this, any leaking identified to be coming from the pressure relief valve should be addressed as soon as possible.  

That’s why we’ve compiled all the information needed for spotting a leak in your pressure relief valve and fixing it in this blog. 

 

How to spot a leaking boiler pressure relief valve 

A leaking boiler pressure relief valve is often evidence that the valve is defective or damaged. As a result, it’s no longer performing the function it should be. Due the high temperature of any water leaving the boiler in the leak, it might not be noticeable as liquid dripping on the ground. Instead, you might notice limescale staining around the edges of the heating unit or other damage to the water lines. It should also be possible to feel the pressure leaking from the boiler when you get close to it. 

The potential causes of a leaking boiler pressure relief valve include: 

• Blockages 
• Limescale build up 
• An ineffective valve seal 
• Electrical signalling problems 

 

Fixing a pressure relief valve 

Firstly, only a gas safe engineer should attempt to fix a defective pressure relief valve. They have the expertise and knowledge necessary. 

Step 1 

Switch off all power to the boiler. This will often be a specially designated breaker, but it could affect other areas of the property. The fill valve should also be shut off to make sure no more water is introduced to the boiler. 

Step 2 

After waiting a few hours for the water in the boiler to cool, it can be drained. Open the drainage valve and drain the water into a suitable area until the pressure reading drops to zero. At this point the drainage valve can be closed. 

Step 3 

The valve can now be carefully removed from the boiler using the pipe wrench. Here, care should be taken to ensure the drain pipe isn’t still connected if one’s present. 

Step 4 

Assuming you’ve already sourced a quality spare pressure relief valve, turn it into the boiler and tighten it using the pipe wrench. Ensure the part is straight and facing the same direction as the previous one. The boiler can now be turned back on. 

 

New and refurbished boiler parts UK 

National Boiler Spares provide a responsive service for fixing boiler parts, with our spanning a massive range of components from top brands. Contact us to arrange next day delivery when vital boiler parts such as pressure relief valves stop working.