How To Choose a New Boiler

There will come a point in the lifespan of every home when a new boiler is needed. You’ll want to replace a boiler for several reasons. The most common reason is that your boiler is getting old, inefficient, and expensive to run.

Even if your boiler isn’t that old, more energy-efficient models are coming out every year, and it may be cheaper, in the long run, to make the investment now as opposed to waiting.

But what kind of boiler should you choose? At McRobert’s Plumbing and Heating, we are experts at heating systems, including boilers. In this blog, we’ll break down the main types of boilers as well as their advantages and disadvantages to give you a comprehensive overview of what will be best for you.

Choosing A New Oil Boiler

Oil boilers use the combustion of oil to generate their heat. This means that you’ll need to regularly source oil for your boiler. Oil boilers can be very efficient at heating a home, which is one of their main advantages.

However, if you don’t already have the infrastructure in your home to facilitate the operation of an oil boiler, this can be particularly expensive to install. For example, most oil boilers will require an oil tank to be situated on your property. This tank is where your boiler will draw its oil from and what the oil company will fill up for you.

Oil boilers tend to work best in properties that don’t have access to gas lines.

The major downside to oil boilers is that oil prices tend to fluctuate quite significantly, meaning one month, your cost of heating could be much lower than the next. This could also mean that for certain months of the year, you could save significantly on heating costs. 

Another consideration is the delivery of the oil itself. As oil isn’t delivered via pipes like gas, you may find yourself running out and waiting for your next delivery.

Choosing A New LPG Boiler

LPG boilers or liquid-petroleum-gas boilers are very similar to oil boilers in that they will heat your home through the combustion of liquid petroleum rather than oil. They differ from gas in that gas is delivered via gas lines, whereas LPG is delivered via storage cylinders.

This means that, like oil boilers, you’ll need to source your LPG cylinders for your heating needs by yourself. 

The main advantage of LPG boilers is that they are easy to install, don’t require much maintenance, and can be cost-effective. However, the cylinders themselves may be owned by the fuel company, and they must be stored in pressurised containers which can cause safety concerns.

Choosing A New Gas Boiler

A gas boiler is the most common type of boiler system in the UK. This is because gas can be delivered to your home via pipes, making it a storage-free solution to heating your home. Gas is also the most efficient from a cost and energy use standpoint of any home heating system.

However, gas can have high set-up and upfront costs compared to its counterparts. Gas also poses a risk of gas leaks which can pose a significant threat to the safety of your home.

To Conclude

There are a few options to consider when getting a new boiler. If you live in a rural area, an LPG or oil boiler may be the best option. But if you do live in an urban area, gas may be the best route to choose. 

It all depends on your own personal circumstances and what suits your lifestyle best.