Central Heating Systems
Central heating systems can be divided up into 3 main forms: a combi boiler, a conventional gravity fed system and a high pressure system that works off the mains.
Combi Boiler
A combi boiler is a boiler which heats hot water on demand and this eliminates the need for a feed tank, expansion tank or a hot water cyclinder. They are a smaller design system so this creates more space and they are also more economical because they only heat the hot water you use.
Key features:
Heats water on demand so no tanks in loft space
Electronic controls
All components of system contained inside boiler
Thermostatically controlled radiators sized according to room dimensions
Some smaller models have low flow rates and these combi boilers are ideal for smaller homes (1-2 bedroom) or flats in general. The higher output ones will deliver better flow rate ie fill up a bath faster than the lower output ones. You need to determine how much hot water demand you have in your home. Also, the more radiators you have in your property the higher output combi boiler you will need. There is an easy way to tell if your current boiler is adequate for the number and size of the radiators when your heating is on. If the boiler comes on for a while and then goes off when the heating is on then it is more than adequate. If it stays on continuously then it's possible it isn't coping with the demand being placed on it.
Conventional Gravity Fed System
In this system, either a regular boiler or a system boiler is used to heat the radiators and the hot water. The hot water circulates around the system and is then stored in a hot water cylinder until needed. To water that comes from the boiler may come from the feed or expansion tank in the loft. This ensures that the level of the water always remains at an optimum level. There would also be a hot water tank that replenishes the cylinder when water is used around the house. Water is drawn down by gravity alone, hence the name of the central heating system. The one draw back with this system is that loft space is needed and also an airing cupboard to house the hot water cylinder.
High Pressure System
These systems provide mains pressure hot water through your taps at home. Water is drawn from your cold water mains and heated by the boiler. The water is stored in a storage tank until needed. These heating systems are great if you have high mains pressure. Thse systems can be costly to install.
Central Heating Boiler
The central heating market today offers many many different types of central heating boilers of different shapes and sizes. There are boilers small enough to fit into the smallest of kitchen cupboards and there are boilers that are bigger and have higher outputs suitable for larger homes which have a higher demand for hot water and heat.
Types Of Boiler
Depending on your budget there are lots of different boilersto consider. The factors you need to consider are size, output, efficiency and output
Combi Boiler
A combi boiler is a boiler which heats hot water on demand and this eliminates the need for a feed tank, expansion tank or a hot water cyclinder. They are a smaller design system so this creates more space and they are also more economical because they only heat the hot water you use.
Key features:
Heats water on demand so no tanks in loft space
Electronic controls
All components of system contained inside boiler
Thermostatically controlled radiators sized according to room dimensions
Some smaller models have low flow rates and these combi boilers are ideal for smaller homes (1-2 bedroom) or flats in general. The higher output ones will deliver better flow rate ie fill up a bath faster than the lower output ones. You need to determine how much hot water demand you have in your home. Also, the more radiators you have in your property the higher output combi boiler you will need. There is an easy way to tell if your current boiler is adequate for the number and size of the radiators when your heating is on. If the boiler comes on for a while and then goes off when the heating is on then it is more than adequate. If it stays on continuously then it's possible it isn't coping with the demand being placed on it.
Conventional Gravity Fed System
In this system, either a regular boiler or a system boiler is used to heat the radiators and the hot water. The hot water circulates around the system and is then stored in a hot water cylinder until needed. To water that comes from the boiler may come from the feed or expansion tank in the loft. This ensures that the level of the water always remains at an optimum level. There would also be a hot water tank that replenishes the cylinder when water is used around the house. Water is drawn down by gravity alone, hence the name of the central heating system. The one draw back with this system is that loft space is needed and also an airing cupboard to house the hot water cylinder.
High Pressure System
These systems provide mains pressure hot water through your taps at home. Water is drawn from your cold water mains and heated by the boiler. The water is stored in a storage tank until needed. These heating systems are great if you have high mains pressure. Thse systems can be costly to install.
Central Heating Boiler
The central heating market today offers many many different types of central heating boilers of different shapes and sizes. There are boilers small enough to fit into the smallest of kitchen cupboards and there are boilers that are bigger and have higher outputs suitable for larger homes which have a higher demand for hot water and heat.
Types Of Boiler
Depending on your budget there are lots of different boilersto consider. The factors you need to consider are size, output, efficiency and output
