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| The following is a brief description of the differences between a conventional heating and hot water system and a combination boiler system. Both of these systems work in a very similar way for central heating but are very different in the way they supply hot water. |
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| Combination boiler system: |
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| Good Points |
| 1) |
There is no hot water cylinder. This means you can utilise the space where the cylinder and storage tank are fitted. |
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| 2) |
The hot water is heated as you need it. This makes the system more efficient as you only heat the water that you are using, it is also very convenient to use the hot water at any time without waiting on the cylinder to heat up. |
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| 3) |
A Shower run off this system is very strong as both the hot and cold supplies are under mains pressure. |
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| Bad Points |
| 1) |
The hot water rate will be approximately between 9 and 12 litres per minute. This means it will take approximately 6 to 8 minutes to fill a bath to a normal useable level. |
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| 2) |
You will only be able to use one hot water point at a time. This means that if you are using the shower and the sink tap or washing machine etc. then the hot water at the shower will most likely stop running. |
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| Conventional hot water storage cylinder system: |
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| Good Points |
| 1) |
The hot water flow will be approximately between 9 and 12 litres per minute. This is determined by the height of your cold water storage tank and means it will take approximately 6 to 8 minutes to fill a bath to a normal useable level. |
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| 2) |
You will normally be able to use more than one hot water point simultaneously. This means that if you are using the shower and the sink or washing machine the shower will still get a supply of hot water (although the temperature could still be affected). |
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| Bad Points |
| 1) |
The boiler will have to be on for between 30 and 45 minutes to heat up the hot water cylinder before you can use it. This can be inconvenient if you forget to set the timer or run out of hot water for any reason. |
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| 2) |
After heating the hot water you may only up to half the hot water in it. This can make the system inefficient as you are using gas to heat hot water that you do not use. |
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| 3) |
A shower run of this system tends not to be very strong. The distance (height) between the cold water storage tank and the showerhead determines this. |
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| Due to these differences very careful consideration should be given to your hot water needs before you make the decision on which type of system is going to be most suitable for you. As a rule a combi system is ideal for a house with only one bathroom and a kitchen to supply with hot water and has obvious space saving and efficiency benefits. If however your house has more rooms than this to supply with hot water or for any other reason requires a very high flow rate of hot water it may be that a conventional system with a hot water cylinder would be best suited to your requirements. |
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| This explanation is intended to give you an insight into how these types of systems work. If you are unsure of anything or require further information before you make a final decision on what you will have installed, please do not hesitate to phone or email me via the telephone number or email link on this web site. |
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| Yours sincerely |
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| Paul McGinnity |
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| Note : When connecting onto existing pipework eg hot water supply pipe, existing heating pipes and radiators we can only check the pipes and materials we can see for leaks due to the increase of pressure incurred when installing a combi boiler. The Combi Boiler Company will only guarantee new pipework and materials installed as well as our labour for two years. Existing pipework and materials will not be covered under our guarantee. |
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| Building Regulations Letter - Click to read |
