Gas boilers are the most common boilers on the heating market. In this blog post, the team at East Midlands Boiler Servicing Ltd take you through a history lesson on gas boilers, as well as tell you all about the different types of gas boilers in the UK.
Gas boilers
The great majority of gas boilers operate with radiators (a 'wet' central heating system). Some gas boilers are floor standing and may include a small hot water cylinder to increase hot water flow rates. Gas boilers come in wall-hung combination, heat-only, and system boiler configurations. See our guide to boiler types for additional information on the various boiler kinds.
Warm air units
Warm air systems heat the home by pumping heated air via a number of vents. These boilers were quite popular in the 1970s and are still produced today.
Back boilers
In the 1960s, back boilers were popular. They are a type of heat-only boiler, but the flue passes through a chimney breast, and they are almost usually accompanied by a front-mounted gas fire. Until recently, it was feasible to repair a back boiler, however, later models were accompanied by an electric fire on the front. While they are no longer available (due to the inability to satisfy condensing boiler regulations), they can be fixed.
How do gas boilers work?
Gas boilers heat the water in your radiators by burning gas. The hot water is circulated across radiators by a pump. A fan blows across the heated heat exchanger and expels warmed air through the ducts and floor vents in warm air systems. Through a heat exchanger, combination boilers also heat potable (drinkable) water for washing and showers. Heat alone and system boilers create hot water for washing and showering by utilising a hot water cylinder.
Boilers are often controlled by a thermostat, which regulates the temperature of the residence. From basic dial room thermostats to complex advanced smart controls, the kind and compatibility of the heating control installed directly affect the boiler's performance.
What kind of homes are gas boilers often best suited to?
On an extremely cold day, a 6-10kW boiler will adequately heat the great majority of UK households. Gas boilers, on the other hand, start at 11-13kW for heat only/system boilers and 16-18kW (and higher) for combi boilers. Even the smallest combi boiler will heat the majority of UK households, however, only if there is a little need for hot water output.
Combi boilers account for 80% of boiler sales in the UK and look 'bigger' because they have outputs of 24kW or higher, however, this is only for hot water generation. Hot water production is a size concern for boilers that use a hot water cylinder, thus depending on your system configuration, you may require a larger boiler.
How efficient are gas boilers?
All condensing gas boilers have the potential to be 92-94 per cent efficient, or A-rated; however, reaching efficiency in the 90s is completely dependent on how effectively the rest of the system is built and regulated. Actual average house efficiencies are closer than 80 per cent. It is just as vital to get the central heating system design correct as it is to get the proper boiler. You may also easily save 6-8 per cent by lowering the flow temperature on your combi boiler. Check out our guide on lowering the flow temperature.
Is it costly to use a gas boiler?
Nowadays, gas is now one of the cheapest fuels to use for home heating, although costs are rising owing to increased demand and the war between Russia and Ukraine. However, fuel expenses are determined by fuel price and heating system performance. Gas boilers might have low efficiency of 60-80 per cent if they are old or new and poorly installed.
Get in touch for gas boiler servicing and repairs
If you would like your gas boiler repaired, or you'd like to book your annual boiler service with your local heating engineers based in Denby, then call East Midlands Boiler Servicing LTD today on 07727663791, 01773691000 or reach us via our website’s contact form. We would be more than happy to speak with you to arrange a visit from one of our Gas Safe registered engineers.
