The pros and cons of combination boilers

Date published: 4th March 2013

Combination boilers (or combi boilers as they’re commonly known) are extremely efficient and popular throughout local households in Plymouth.

They are referred to as ‘combi’ systems because they can heat your water and act as your property’s central heating unit too.

The pros

Most people opt for a combination boiler because of convenience. You can get hot water on demand so you don’t have to hang around waiting for your shower or bath. They are also great space savers: you don’t need any hot water tanks, and a combi boiler can be fitted neatly onto the wall or hidden away in a cupboard.

Fluctuating water temperatures are no longer a problem as soon as you have a combi boiler fitted. They come fitted with controls as standard so you can decide how hot you want your on-demand water.

Of course the main benefit of a combi boiler is that they can help homeowners to slash their heating bills by hundreds of pounds every year. Most systems can achieve savings of up to £300 per year.

Finally, a combi boiler can have a positive effect on your property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating, which can help if you decide to sell your property.

The cons

Well, really there’s only one con: combi boilers require a lot of cold water in order to provide hot water on demand. This means that the flow from outlets elsewhere in the house can be affected. For example, if the washing machine is running, it can be impractical to shower at the same time as the water supply will be slightly limited.

With some management this problem needn’t be a deal breaker. You just need to remember not to do the washing up while your significant other is having a nice hot shower.

Servicing

If you do choose to go with a combi boiler, you must remember the importance of having it regularly serviced. This can not only help with the efficient running of your boiler, but can also prolong its life significantly.

Boilers are used every single day and perform a vast amount of work. Because of this, small faults may develop in the overall running of the boiler. These faults can develop into huge problems if left untreated. But if they’re noticed during a standard service, they can usually be fixed quickly and inexpensively.

Many people neglect to have their boilers serviced, assuming that it’ll be cheaper to replace it than repair it eventually. This isn’t the case and plenty of local homeowners have saved themselves hundreds of pounds by getting their boilers serviced.

The best time to get your boiler serviced is just before the end of the summer. This means it will be in tip-top condition by the time the colder weather kicks in, which is when you will need it the most.