New Homeowners Guide: Get Your Heating Right First Time

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Starting the journey to buying a new home is one of a kind yet stressful experience. From finding your dream place to securing a mortgage, it’s a relief once it’s over and you can finally move in. But the battle doesn’t cease there, as getting your home in tip-top shape is a whole other type of stress. Between choosing your favourite wallpaper and what colour sofa to have, you might forget about the more critical factors in your new home. One thing that new homeowners forget about is your new boiler- it may not seem like a big deal, but making an informed decision could slash the prices you’ll pay in the future. However, before you can buy, you need to know the facts and figures to make the best choice for your home.

Why is your heating system so important?

The boiler that’s in your home will have a more significant impact than you may think. It will affect small, everyday comfort and money issues in your home, so getting it right the first time will eliminate small problems such as: 
  • The long-term and short-term costs. Boilers can be expensive, but it is an investment into your home that makes a difference. The better the boiler, the more efficient it is. Efficiency means your boiler has to do less work and therefore cutting a chunk from your heating bills- which is a long term money saver. 
  • The overall quality of heating in your home. You may experience more breakdowns and a shortened boiler lifespan if you opt for a cheaper heating system, as well as a noticeable drop in the power your boiler supplies. 
  • The immediate costs. When buying a boiler upfront (yes, you can pay on finance), it’s best to shop around. Different heating suppliers will offer discounts that you may miss by just opting for the first one you find. 
Whatever you choose has to be right, as your boiler has a ten year+ life span so that you won’t be selecting a new one any time soon. 

What are the options?

When choosing a boiler, the possibilities are endless. The only thing you have to bear in mind is that it’s the law to have a condensing system, which covers most boilers anyway. This is because they are better for the environment and more efficient (over 90%) so you will save money in the long run by default. There are several different types of condensing boiler you can choose for your new boiler, such as: 

Conventional Boiler

If you are moving into an older home, you will most like find one of these boilers already in the same, hence the nickname ‘traditional boilers’. They are made up from a cylinder and water storage tank that will stay in your attic or loft so that the water can come down through the pipes. It’s out of the way, but also means it takes up a lot of space up there. Because of how dated conventional boilers seem, many people don’t consider them. But they work well in older homes, so don’t count them out completely. 

Pros:
  • Works well in larger, older homes with large attics. 
  • Compatible with solar to save on energy bills and reduce your eco-footprint
  • Can supply water to more than one tap at a time
Cons:
  • Very heavy and large, will take up a considerable amount of space. 
  • Long waiting times for hot water to heat up before you can use it. 
  • Upfront cost and installation can be more expensive
  • It can be costly to buy and install.

System Boiler

System boilers are perfect for smaller homes that have more than one bathroom because they don’t require a tank, but you can still get the power you need. They can provide large quantities of water at a reasonable speed, as well as the ability to use alongside solar panels for eco-friendly heating. 

Pros:
  • It might be more expensive in the beginning but works out cheaper than other boilers in the long run. 
  • Requires less space but still has a high production rate
  • Energy-efficient when used alongside solar
  • Hot water is constant
Cons: 
  • Water may take time to reheat, like a conventional boiler.
  • Will take up space in a cupboard or airing cupboard for the cylinder. 

Combi Boiler

This type of boiler is the most popular, and we can see why. If you’re moving into a new home, they work well because of their compactness (they don’t need a water tank or cylinder). Especially in smaller places, you don’t have to worry about this boiler taking up too much space. You can directly heat water from the mains, and therefore you can immediately get unlimited hot water whenever you need in a highly efficient, cost-effective way. The combi boiler allows you to heat hot water and your home without the need for two different storages. 

Pros:
  • Instant access to heating
  • Cost-effective, long term and short term. 
  • Compact
  • Easy to access for boiler maintenance and servicing
Cons:
  • More likely to lose water pressure over time.
  • Can’t provide all the power you need in a large home
  • You cannot use the water and home heating simultaneously

Boilers can be confusing, especially if you are a new homeowner. 


Don’t struggle on your own. Research what boiler is best for you and keep hold of this guide for extra help!

Image credits: Piqsels

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