James Elston

James Elston

Published June 23, 2024

Expert Boiler Installation in Thornton

How many bathrooms do you have?

How many bedrooms do you have?

How many Radiators do you have?

How soon do you need your boiler?

 

What Type Of Boiler Do You Need?

The type of boiler you need depends on the following factors:

  • Hot water demand: The demand for hot water will determine the boiler you will need for your property.
  • Property size: Whether you have a large or small property will influence what kind of boiler you need to supply sufficient heat and/or hot water. 
  • Personal goals regarding energy efficiency: The boiler you choose must have a high energy-efficiency rating and be compatible with renewable energy sources like solar panels.
  • Budget: Your budget will be significant when deciding what boiler to install on your property.

Below are some of the most common boiler types. We will discuss their suitability for different properties depending on heat requirements. 

Combi boiler

Combi boilers are compact, single-unit central heating systems that eliminate the need for separate hot or cold water tanks. They draw water directly from the mains supply for heating and hot water. Since these boilers heat water on demand, they’re highly energy efficient.

They can run on gas, oil or electricity.

Their compact size makes them easy to install and ideal for smaller homes or apartments with one or two bathrooms. 

The only con to combi boilers is their heat output. Due to their size, they would be inefficient in heating larger properties with high heat demands and multiple hot water outlets.

combi boiler
system boiler

System boiler

System boilers use a heat exchanger, which heats water through a gas or oil-powered burner. The heated water is stored in a separate hot water tank. Due to their size, system boilers require a lot of space for installation.

System boilers can supply a large amount of hot water to properties with multiple taps, showers, and central heating systems simultaneously.

These boilers are ideal for large residential properties or small businesses with high hot water demands.

Conventional boiler

Conventional or traditional boilers are currently the most used boilers in homes throughout the UK. Their design is straightforward, making it easier for heat engineers to do repairs. Their durability also means that if you care for them well enough with yearly servicing, they could last you for a considerable time.

Conventional boilers are powered by gas or oil and function similarly to a system boiler, using a heat exchanger. The hot water is then stored in a separate hot water cylinder. The main difference is that conventional boilers also make use of a cold water storage tank, usually located in the loft. 

These boilers provide heat and hot water for central heating systems and taps simultaneously. This makes them a good option for properties with several bathrooms and radiators. 

It is important to note that conventional boilers are being phased out in the UK due to their carbon emissions. A better long-term option may be a system or electric boiler for your property.

conventional boiler
electric boiler

Electric boiler

Electric boilers use electricity to heat water by heating an element that then heats up the water.

Traditional electric boilers have a separate tank to store hot water, so they are best used for larger properties with more bathrooms and rooms. However, electric combi boilers are a single unit, making them a good option if you have a smaller property with a few radiators and lower hot water demand.

Electric boilers don’t use fossil fuels and are compatible with renewable energy sources, like solar panels. This makes them reliable, energy-efficient, and a great option if you want to decrease your carbon footprint. 

They typically require much less space to install than oil or gas boilers, as they don’t produce combustion gases. This means that, unlike gas or oil boilers, they don’t require a chimney or flue. For this reason, they are best for smaller homes, semi-detached townhouses, or apartments.

Their only downfall is that they are costly to run. Their running costs are more expensive than gas or oil boilers, as electricity costs more per kilowatt hour than gas or oil.

Biomass boiler

Biomass boilers are the best option for businesses or large homes that want to reduce their carbon footprint and fuel costs.

These boilers use organic, renewable materials to produce heat, such as wood, logs, straw, chips, or pellets. 

Although biomass boilers are cheaper to fuel than other boilers, their upfront costs are exponentially higher. However, there are government schemes in the UK that offer subsidies of up to £50,000 to individuals and businesses to encourage them to switch to more energy-efficient power solutions. The ECO4 government scheme is one such scheme.

biomass boiler

How Much Does It Cost To Install A New Boiler In Thornton?

The cost of installing a new boiler will depend on a number of factors:

  • Removal and disposal of your old boiler.
  • Boiler type.
  • Installation complexity.
  • Labour.
  • Property size.
  • Changes to your pipework.
  • Location change of where you usually keep your boiler.
  • Replacing your current boiler with a different type of boiler (if you are replacing an electric boiler with a gas boiler, the installation may take longer).

Below are estimated costs for installing a new boiler in homes and commercial businesses.

New Boiler Costs For Homes

One-bedroom home

Boiler typeCost (excluding installation)Cost  (including Installation)Average cost (with installation)
Combi£600 – £2,500£1,600 – £3,500£2,550
System£600 – £2,500£1,800 – £3,400£2,600
Conventional£600 – £2,500£1,800 – £3,500£2,650
Electric£550 – £2,500£1,450 – £3,500£2,475
Biomass Â£4,000 –  £8,000£6,000 – £10,000£8,000

Two-bedroom home

Boiler typeCost (excluding installation)Cost  (including Installation)Average cost (with installation)
Combi£600 – £2,500£1,700 – £4,000£2,850
System£600 – £3,000£1,800 – £4,000£2,900
Conventional£600 – £2,800£2,000 – £4,000£3,000
Electric£600 – £2,600£1,600 – £3,900£2,750
Biomass Â£5,000 –  £10,000£8,000 – £12,000£10,000

Three to four-bedroom home

Boiler typeCost (excluding installation)Cost  (including Installation)Average cost (with installation)
Combi£1,400 – £3,000£2,600 – £4,500£3,550
System£1,500 – £3,700£2,600 – £4,700£3,650
Conventional£1,500 – £3,700£2,700 – £4,900£3,800
Electric£1,400 – £3,300£2,500 – £4,500£3,500
Biomass Â£7,000 –  £14,000£10,000 – £18,000£14,000

Five or more bedroom homes

Boiler typeCost (excluding installation)Cost  (including Installation)Average cost (with installation)
Combi£1,500 – £3,500£2,600 – £4,500+£3,550
System£1,600 – £4,300£3,000 – £5,000+£4,000
Conventional£1,600 – £4,500£2,900 – £5,000+£3,950
Electric£1,550 – £3,500£2,500 – £4,500+£3,500
Biomass Â£8,000 –  £15,000£10,000 – £20,000+£15,000

New boiler costs for commercial businesses

Depending on whether your commercial property is small, medium-sized or large, installing a new boiler will come at different costs. Below are the estimated costs.

Small businesses

Boiler typeCost (excluding installation)Cost  (including Installation)Average cost (with installation)
Combi£600 – £2,000£1,900 – £3,300£2,600
System£600 – £2,900£600 – £3,500£2,050
Conventional£600 – £2,700£1,800 –  £4,000 Â£2,900
Electric£550 – £1,750£1,900 – £3,000£2,450
Biomass Â£5,000 – £10,000£10,000 – £16,000 £13,000

Medium-sized businesses

Boiler typeCost (excluding installation)Cost  (including Installation)Average cost (with installation)
Combi£1,000 – £4,000 £3,000 – £6,000 £4,500
System£1,200 – £5,000£3,300 – £7,000£5,150
Conventional£1,200 – £5,000£3,200 – £7,000£5,100
Electric£1,200 – £4,000£3,200 – £6,500 £4,850
Biomass Â£6,000 – £12,000 £11,000 – £20,000 £15,500

Large businesses

The most used commercial boilers have an output of around 70kW, which is reliable for small or medium-sized businesses. But, for large businesses with many rooms and water sources, this may not be sufficient. Large-scale businesses usually need a boiler with an output between 100kW and 200kW. These are known as industrial boilers. Installation costs, therefore, range widely here. This is because installations may take longer, sometimes costing over £20,000.

Boiler typeCost (excluding installation)Cost  (including Installation)Average cost (with installation)
System£5,000- £10,000£12,500- £20,000 Varies
Conventional£5,000- £10,000£12,500- £20,000 Varies
Electric£5,000- £10,000£12,500- £20,000Varies
Biomass Â£15,000- £30,000£20,000- £40,000Varies

What Size Boiler Do You Need?

Boiler sizes come in many options. Regular boilers are between 10kW to 70kW. However, industrial-scale boilers go up to 100kW and more. The boiler size you need for your property will depend on:

  • The property’s size.
  • Number of rooms and bathrooms.
  • The number of radiators the property has.
  • The property’s insulation.

If your property is poorly insulated, it will likely cause major heat loss, meaning you’ll need a more powerful boiler.

What Size Boilers Do Residential Homes Need?

Number of bedroomsNumber of bathroomsNumber of radiatorsSize of boilerType of boiler 
1-210-1018- 27 kWCombination, conventional, electric
3-42-310-1528-34 kWSystem or Conventional
5 or more4+15 – 20+35-43 kWConventional, biomass, system

What Size Boilers Do Commercial Businesses Need?

The size of your boiler will vary depending on the size of your commercial business. Small to medium-sized businesses will require smaller boilers than large-scale businesses. 

Important: Large businesses often need industrial-sized boilers for reliable central heating, which are much larger than the standard boiler sizes used on small and medium-sized commercial properties. These are much more expensive to purchase and install.

Size Number of hot water pointsNumber of radiatorsSize of boilerType of boiler 
Small11-918- 24 kWCombi, conventional, electric 
Medium3 or more10-2035 kW – 45 kWConventional, system, electric, biomass 
LargeOver 2020 or more55 kW and more Conventional, system, biomass

What Are The Best Boiler Brands?

According to industry experts, these are the top 5 boiler brands in the UK today:

alpha boiler image

Alpha

Alpha boilers have remained on the top 5 list of best boiler brands in the UK due to their affordability and quality. Their E-Tec Plus combi boiler is one of the most highly recommended boilers on the market. Alpha boilers come with a 10-year warranty.

Get A Quote For An Alpha Boiler

Viessmann

This century-old brand is still among the UK’s top five boiler brands. Viessman is known for quality and innovation and offers boilers with some modern features, including smart boilers with zone sensors. It provides a 10-year warranty on all its boilers.

Get A Quote For A Viesmann Boiler
viessman boiler image
vaillant boiler image

Vaillant

Vaillant is one of the UK’s oldest boiler brands. Its boilers have remained among the top contenders in the UK for over 20 years. Vaillant offers a wide range of boilers, including conventional, combi, and system boilers.

Get A Quote For A Vaillant Boiler

Worcester Bosch

Worchester Bosch stands out amongst boiler brands because of the length of its warranty. They offer a warranty of 12 years, emphasising the brand’s confidence in their products. To top it off, their boilers are also highly affordable.

Get A Quote For A Worcester Bosch Boiler
worcester bosch boiler image
ideal boiler image eco happy

Ideal

With an outstanding reputation for efficiency, Ideal offers conventional, system, and combi boilers of all sizes. Their wide range of boilers cater to everyone’s needs. Their boilers also come with a warranty of 10-12 years.

Get A Quote For An Ideal Boiler

Why Choose Eco Happy?

Eco Happy is ready to help. Here is why you should consider teaming up with our team of boiler installers in Thornton.

Get Your Boiler Installation Quote Today

Are you thinking of installing a new boiler? Fill out our quick, and easy form for a free quote. We will contact you shortly after with a quote.

FAQs

Do plumbers install boilers?

Only Gas Safe registered plumbers should handle boiler installations. If you get a plumber’s assistance, ask them for their Gas Safe certification. This will ensure that you get safe, expert services.

Can I leave my boiler on all the time?

The short answer is yes. However, this will be less energy-efficient and increase your monthly energy bills. To keep your energy bills low, it is recommended that you switch on your boiler only a couple of hours before you need it.

How long should a new boiler last?

A new boiler should last 10-15 years. This is an estimated time, depending on how often you service your boiler and what type you have installed.

Other Areas We Service Near Thornton, West Yorkshire

BatleyCleckheatonBirstallOssettWakefield
BrighouseDewsburyFarsleyMirfieldWetherby
BrooklandsFeatherstonePudseyOtleyWindhill
HeckmondwikeGuiseleyHorsforthPontefractWood End
RothwellPrudhoeLiversedgeGarforthMorley
HeadingleyWhinmoorGildersomeRawdonBramley
BramhopeBirkenshawGomersalDrighlingtonEast Ardsley
Calverley
James Elston

James Elston

Boiler Expert


James Elston is the top boiler replacement and heating expert at Eco Happy. He has over 20 years of experience in the industry, focusing on Gas Safe boiler installations and offering home-heating and energy-saving solutions to homeowners across the UK. From sourcing the most energy-efficient combi boiler to providing specialist heating advice, James ensures that Eco Happy maintains the highest standards and best customer service.

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