What type of boiler do I have?

• The combi or combination boiler

The combi is the most popular boiler in the UK for gas central heating and domestic hot water. They are easy to use and economical to run. This is partly down to the fact the boiler only heats the water when a hot tap or a shower is ran this ensures maximum efficiency. The instant hot water means there is no need to find room for a hot water cylinder or have storage tanks in the loft. The hot water is delivered at mains pressure to all your taps meaning you can enjoy a powerful shower with no need for any pumps. The combi boiler is a pressurised system and runs at between 1/1.5 bar. This generally means less issues when filling and draining the system to carry out work.

Tips to help identify a combi boiler:

*Normally 6 or 7 pipes connected to the boiler

*No storage tanks in loft or airing cupboard

*A filling link fitted to the boiler or pipework

• The open vented or traditional boiler

The open vented boiler works different to a combi in that the hot water is heated up and stored ready for use in a cylinder. The storage cylinder is normally found in the airing cupboard along with your central heating pump and valves. Additional tanks are located in the loft to feed the central heating system because the open vented boiler uses a storage tank for the hot water. It is able to supply multiple hot water outlets at the same time without a loss of flow, meaning two showers can be ran at the same time.

Tips to help identify an open vented boiler:

*Normally 3 or 4 pipes connected to the boiler

*A hot water storage tank (normally in the airing cupboard) and storage tanks in the loft

*A central heating pump and valves fitted externally from the boiler

• The system boiler

Similarly to the open vented boiler the system boiler has a hot water storage cylinder that is normally found in the airing cupboard and that can feed multiple outlets without any loss of flow, meaning two showers can be ran at the same time. The system boiler has a central heating pump fitted inside meaning no need for an external one. Only one tank is required in the loft meaning more storage space. Like the combi, the system boiler runs at a pressure of between 1/1.5bar meaning generally less problems when filling and draining.

Tips to help identify a system boiler:

*Normally 3 or 4 pipes connected to the boiler

*A hot water storage tank (normally in the airing cupboard) and one storage tank in the loft

*A filling link fitted to the boiler or pipework