Regular Boiler Costs & Quotes - 2023 Guide

---

Regular boilers, also known as conventional or traditional boilers, are the oldest boiler types around this region. Regular boilers only produce hot water for central heating and not for use in hot water access points such as showers, baths and taps hence their other name- heat only boilers.

For a regular boiler to work, it requires a cold water storage tank (installed in the attic) and a hot water cylinder installed in the airing cupboard. Although regular boilers are still an effective heating system in some homes, people prefer other boiler types such as combi and system boilers.

How does a regular boiler work?

---

A regular boiler draws its water from a cold water storage tank with the help of loft feeds. To increase the pressure of the water in the heating system, the storage tank should be installed as high above the boiler as possible.

When the boiler ignites, heat is produced and a heat exchanger warms up the water. The heated water is then sent to the storage cylinder where it is stored until you turn on a shower, tap, or central heating.

Difference between a Regular boiler and a Combi boiler

---

A Combi boiler is a modern water heating system and the most preferred boiler type in the UK today. This is a single unit that neither requires a storage tank nor a hot water cylinder. A Combi boiler will source cold water directly from the mains, then heat and supply it on demand. Even with their highly convenient functionality, they are only suitable for smaller homes.

Difference between a Regular boiler and a System boiler

---

Both the regular and system boilers require a hot water cylinder to store hot water but are different in how they are supplied with cold water. Regular boilers draw their hot water from a feed tank while system boilers source the water directly from the mains.

What size of regular boiler is suitable for my home?

---

The size of the regular boiler you install is equivalent to the power it produces to heat water, a reason why this is an important consideration before making a purchasing decision. Size in this regard is not expressed as physical dimensions but as output rating measured in kilowatts (kW).

So, the higher the output rating of a regular boiler in kW, the more powerful it is to perform the water heating task. Even with this, it does not mean that you should go for boilers with extreme output ratings. Too high output ratings translate to a rise in energy bills while too low output ratings mean that the boiler won't sufficiently meet your hot water and heating needs.

To know what size (output rating) of a conventional boiler your home requires, you need to reach out to a professional. It would help if you went for a Gas Safe registered engineer and one offering the best quote.

What size of hot water cylinder is suitable for me?

---

As mentioned above, a regular boiler does not supply hot water on demand but stores it in a cylinder until it needs to be delivered to the showers, baths and taps. In this regard, regular boilers are able to meet the water demands of large homes such as those with several bathrooms.

The only downside of this kind of heat water provision is that it is dependent on the amount of hot water in the storage cylinder. You cannot use hot water when the cylinder is empty unless you wait for it to refill. Cylinder refilling varies from one model to another but will generally average at 20-30minutes.

This delay can only be eliminated by installing the right size of water cylinder for your home. This is even more crucial if your home is large and with multiple bathrooms.

It is not just about the water needs of your home. You should ensure that the regular boiler you are acquiring is compatible with the hot water cylinder in question. Also, you need to go for a solar compatible boiler in case you wish to install a solar thermal in the future.

Is changing my regular boiler to a system/combi boiler a sound decision?

---

The decision of changing a regular boiler to a combi boiler is not always a straightforward one as it depends on several factors. First, you should understand that a more complex replacement will increase the cost of installation and make the replacement expensive. This is not a big deal though if you are having a major refurbishment project for your home and it is even the best chance to do the boiler swap.

So, under what circumstances is a regular to system/combi boiler upgrade needed? Here are some instances:

• When your home is located in a high-water-pressure area- If the water from your mains supply is supplied with strong pressure, then it would be better to work with a combi or system boiler as these will rectify the pressure and any related issues.
• When you have a larger home with multiple bathrooms- Any home with 3 or more bedrooms would work best with a system boiler rather than a regular boiler. A system boiler will help get rid of the water tank in the attic while at the same time providing enough hot water for your home.
• When you have a small home with limited space- As mentioned above, a regular boiler is space-intensive and, therefore, replacing it with a more compact boiler will help free up some space in your small home. Upgrading to a combi boiler, for example, you will not need a space for a storage tank in the attic and a hot water cylinder in your airing cupboard, saving on space. With this upgrade, hot water will be supplied on demand making it more convenient and cheaper than heating a whole tank of hot water at a go.

In some cases, it is better to stick to your regular boiler system but upgrade the unit to a more efficient one. An example situation is when you live in an older home, as the existing pipework may not work with the pressure of water from a combi or system boiler.

Advantages of Regular boilers

---

• Can be coupled with an immersion heater - An immersion water heater is an alternative way of heating water in your home. This component is normally installed in your hot water tank and continues doing the heating job even when your boiler is not working. Since modern boilers allow this kind of setup to be done, you can take advantage of it to ensure that you always have hot water in your home.
• Capable of supplying hot water to various rooms simultaneously - The water heated by a regular boiler is stored in a tank meaning that it can be sent to various radiators and taps at the same time. The storage tank is also able to meet high hot water demands as it is, in most cases, available in large volumes.
• Easier to upgrade to newer models - Unlike upgrading to a completely different boiler type, changing your existing boiler to a newer model is less disruptive and relatively cheaper.
• They are solar compatible - One way of reducing your regular boiler’s running costs is by coupling it with a solar thermal system. The good thing with many modern regular boilers is that they are solar compatible and will allow you to harness the sun’s energy and feed it to your central heating system and to producing hot water for direct use.
• Relatively newer models are highly efficient - If you live in an older home, you should consider replacing the existing regular boiler with a newer high-efficiency model. Modern boilers are able to offer high working efficiency of up to 97%. Note that installing a high-efficiency boiler in your home will significantly reduce your energy bills.

Disadvantages of Regular boilers

---

• The installation may be expensive- Regular boilers require that several components be installed all around the house. This makes the installation process lengthy and expensive.
• Hot water is not always supplied instantly- The hot water must first fill up the cylinder before it is supplied. This is the reason why you need to be keener when selecting the regular boiler’s components such as the hot water cylinder.
• They take up a lot of space- A hot water tank needs to be installed in the attic and a hot water cylinder in the airing cupboard for the regular boiler to work. These two will take up a lot of space in your home and so this boiler type is not suitable for homes with limited space.
• Potential heat loss- This is one of the major downsides of regular boilers. Since the heated water is first stored in a tank before it is supplied to the taps and central radiators, its temperature may significantly decrease before you use it. This problem can only be solved if you sufficiently insulate your hot water storage tank.

Regular boiler prices section

---

For the conventional boiler type, there are a good number of options in the market meant to serve distinct needs. The price for this boiler may start at £660 and stretch up to £1,200. Even though it is recommended to acquire a boiler that will effectively serve your home, you need to shop around so that you get the best deal in terms of price without necessarily compromising on efficiency.

Regular boiler installation cost

The regular boiler installation cost depends on the level of work needed. The work needed is influenced by a number of factors. One of these factors is the size of the regular boiler you are installing.

The other factor you need to consider when estimating the potential cost of a boiler replacement is the cost of the installation itself. For the installation, no heating engineer will charge like another and the exact cost incurred during the boiler replacement can only be determined after knowing the exact installer’s charges. Here is a breakdown of the main factors that influence the boiler installation cost:

1. The exact installer charges - If you hire London engineers, you will definitely spend more than in the case of hiring installers from other areas in the UK.
2. Change in location - If you need to change the location of the new boiler unit from where it is currently, the installation will be more expensive.
3. The type of the boiler - Replacing a boiler with a newer one but of similar type is cheaper than upgrading from one boiler to another. This is because the latter requires more installation works.