What is a combi boiler? If you’ve not got one, you probably don’t really know what it is. Combi boilers are a water heater and a central heating boiler combined into one (that’s how it got its name!). It’s just one unit, as no hot water cylinder is needed.
Combi boilers are a great way to save space in your home. If you don’t have an airing cupboard where you can hide a boiler away, combi boilers provide a great solution as they can often be installed on a wall in the kitchen, so you don’t lose any space.
Benefits of a combi boiler
- Combi boilers deliver hot water through your taps or shower at mains pressure, so you don’t need a pump for a powerful shower
- Save money on installation costs, as there is less pipework due to there being no tank
- Enjoy instant hot water whenever you need it
- Lower your fuel bills by only heating hot water when it’s needed
Things to bear in mind with combi boilers
- If you have a large family and/or more than one bathroom, the water pressure will be lowered if more than one tap is running at the same time
- Most standard showers work with combi boilers, but a pump-assisted power shower will only work with a tank fed system
- There are combi boilers available in LPG if you don’t have a mains gas connection
Combi boilers are a perfect option for homes with one bathroom. As long as you’re not using more than one outlet at a time, you’ll find you get great pressure and hot water more quickly than you would with a tank fed boiler.
As with any gas boiler, you must get a combi boiler installed by a Gas Safe registered engineer to prevent any harmful carbon monoxide leaks. It’s also a good idea to have your boiler serviced every year to ensure that it’s working efficiently without any faults.