What type of boiler do I have?

If you’ve just recently moved into a new property or you’ve never had an issue with your boiler you might not be aware of what type of boiler you actually have. Even if it hasn’t been an issue for you so far, it will be beneficial knowing what boiler system you have for if and when it breaks down. We’ve created this handy guide to help you determine the type of boiler you have. To ensure you’re fully prepared and knowledgeable if you encounter a problem with the system that needs repairing or replacing.

What do we mean by type of boiler?

When determining which boiler your home has, it is important to look at the size of your property, your heating needs, and the type of fuel you use if you know it. There are three main types of boilers: combi, system, and regular. Each of these has different features, so it is not difficult to tell which one you have. For instance, you will be billed for the fuel your boiler requires, such as gas.

Or there will be an LPG/oil tank outside your home and there will be a cost to fill it. A lot of boilers are often run on gas, which is important to remember if you need to buy replacement gas boiler spare parts UK. Be sure to check though and not assume that your boiler uses gas. Especially if you’re in a newer home as there has been a push in recent years for electric boilers to reduce emissions and improve efficiency.

How to tell which boiler type you have

The best way you can determine what type of boiler you have is to look at the components of the heating system. We’ll explore they key features of each boiler type in more detail further down. For now though, we’re just going to look at how you will be identify which one you have on a surface level.

• If you have a hot water cylinder in your airing cupboard you probably have a system boiler.
• If you have a cold-water storage tank in your loft, an external pump, and a hot water cylinder in the airing cupboard it suggests you have a regular boiler.
• If you have none of the above features, then it is likely that you have a combi boiler system.

System boilers

System boilers are mostly found in homes where the demand for hot water is high. Water is stored in the cylinder mentioned above and then supplied to one or more bathrooms and taps when needed. Another way that you can identify a system boiler is if you can see three copper pipes coming out of it (combi boilers will have five pipes). The main difference between a system boiler and a regular boiler is a system boiler will take water directly from the mains. Whereas a regular boiler will use a feed and expansion tank.

One of the most useful benefits of system boilers that they can provide hot water across your home all at the same time without impacting the heating. Also, they don’t need a cold-water tank which saves you a bit of space. However, you will need a fair amount of space for your hot water cylinder, meaning this type of system is typically unsuitable for smaller properties and flats. Another drawback of system boilers is when you have used all the hot water being stored in the cylinder, you’ll have to wait for it to fill up again before you can access any more hot water.

Regular boilers

Also known as conventional, traditional, open vent, or heat-only boilers, regular boilers take up a lot of space and are often challenging to install. They work in a similar way to system boilers in the sense that they can meet high demands for hot water by storing it until it is needed. This means they come with the same benefit of being able to easily provide hot water to multiple bathrooms and taps in large properties. However, they also have the same drawback of having to wait for them to refill once the water runs out.

Also, regular boilers have extra components compared to system boilers including a cold-water storage tank and an expansion cistern. As a result, they take up significantly more space and are mostly suited to large properties only. If you’re not quite sure whether you have a regular or system boiler, again you can look at the pipework. A regular boiler will have two copper pipes coming out of it, one from the top and one from the bottom.

Combi boilers

Combi or combination boilers are a type of system where water is heated instantly when needed, rather than being stored in a tank like other systems. The water heating and central heating components are combined into one unit, making them much more compact and simpler to install. These boilers take up significantly less space than regular boilers, making them a great choice for smaller homes or flats where space is limited.

Combi boilers are noteworthy for their energy efficiency due to the fact that they only heat water when it is necessary, instead of keeping it stored. This can lead to many positive outcomes, such as conserving energy, lowering your carbon footprint, and also saving money on energy bills. You can determine if your home has a combi boiler by the presence of five copper pipes, with no extra components.

However, it’s important to note that you could still have additional elements like a storage tank and still have a combi boiler. It might just be that a combi boiler was recently installed and the parts from the previous boiler system have been left redundant. To avoid confusion further down the line if you end up needing combi boiler spare parts. Make sure you know which parts of the boiler are being used.

Conclusion

Hopefully this guide has helped you understand what to look for if you’re unsure exactly what type of boiler you have. If you have a problem with your boiler and need replacement parts or heating spares, make sure to use NBS. We provide high quality new and refurbished boiler spares and parts for a wide range of boiler models, brands, and types. Explore our online shop today to find the right parts for your boiler system.