2. Navien
Whilst Navien are relatively new to the UK market – having only been operating here since late 2014, they have been producing boilers in South Korea since 1978. In 1988, they became the first company in Asia to develop and produce a highly efficient, environmentally-friendly condensing boiler.
Today, they are the name behind the best selling boiler in the US, operate in 30 countries worldwide and have ambitious plans for growth in the UK market.
Navien LCB700 Blue Flame Combi Internal Boiler
High Efficiency
Like the Grant oil boiler above, we recommend this Navien oil boiler due to its efficiency levels. Again like the above example, this boiler utilises blue flame technology which assists it in achieving this efficiency. The blue flame technology employed in the LCB700 enables the boiler to emit extremely low NOx emissions of 57mg/kWh and meets the NOx reduction levels legislation expected in 2022.
Stainless Steel Exchanger
It also has a stainless steel exchanger which we recommend over the cheaper and ultimately less efficient aluminium alternatives found in other oil boilers. This will ensure resistance to corrosion which can affect efficiency after a number of years of usage.
In addition to its efficiency, we recommend this Navien boiler because it comes with a 10-year warranty which is great for peace of mind. This warranty covers the boiler’s components and protects you against issues caused by manufacturing defects. However, to ensure this warranty remains valid, you must ensure that you have the boiler serviced annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Uses Smart Technology
As mentioned above, this boiler will achieve an A+ efficiency rating when installed with a Navien Smart Plus room thermostat. Using the Smart Plus thermostat with this boiler will enable you to control your heating and hot water anywhere and at any time providing you have an internet connection.
Beyond just controlling your system, the Smart Plus thermostat will also enable you to check the status of your heating system, see how much energy you’re using and importantly, set up your heating system to become more efficient. It does this in a number of clever ways, the first of these using the smart forecast check functionality. Using this, your heating system can check the weather forecast using OpenWeatherMap and adjust itself depending on the current outside temperature – this ensures you are only using energy when you need to.
Blue Flame Feature
Another great smart function which the Smart Plus thermostat adds to the LCB700 Blue Flame Combi is geofencing. Geofencing technology will ensure your house is only being heated when needed. It does this by registering your smartphone and those of others in your household and turning your boiler on and off based on your proximity to home.
Built into the LCB700 Blue Flame Combi boiler is an intelligent mode. Utilising self-learning, this will monitor DHW usage and adapt based on your typical usage routine.
Key features:
- A+ rated*
- Blue flame burner
- 10-1 modulation range
- Stainless steel heat exchanger
- Compatible with Navien’s Smart Plus thermostats for increased control and efficiency
- Built-in Intelligent Mode to monitor and adjust based on your typical usage
- Full text-driven control
- Self-diagnosis and error feedback provided by the display
- Built-in usage function to show how much fuel has been used
- 10-year warranty
*when installed with three Navien Smart Plus room thermostats
3. Worcester Bosch
Founded by Cecil Duckworth in 1962 as Worcester Engineering Co Ltd, the company was acquired by Robert Bosch GmbH in 1992 and became Worcester Bosch. Since then, they have continued to be one of the most trusted heating companies in the UK and are the current market leaders.
Worcester Bosch offers an extensive range of boilers utilising a range of different fuels and is suitable for properties of all sizes.
Worcester Bosch Greenstar Heatslave II Internal Combi Boiler
Reputation
The Worcester Bosch Greenstar Heatslave II is the UK’s most popular oil combi boiler and for this reason, has earned its place on this list. This boiler also comes recommended by Which?, having received their Best Buy award for oil boilers in September 2020.
With three output sizes available – 18kW, 25kW and 32kW, there is an option of the Heatslave II available for small, medium and large properties with one or two bathrooms.
High Efficiency
Another oil boiler that is noted for its efficiency, whilst not quite as efficient as the other boilers recommended here, the Greenstar Heatslave II does have a respectable 90% efficiency rating and is A-rated as a result.
Designed to fit under a standard kitchen worktop, the Heatslave II can easily be installed in a kitchen alongside a washing machine or a dishwasher. Ensuring it doesn’t look out of place in your kitchen, the Heatslave II’s design features a drawer in which the controls are housed. This is also handy for families with small children, where the controls would otherwise be at the right height for little hands.
If you’re not keen on having the boiler on show, it can also be kept out of the way and housed in a kitchen cupboard. Alternatively, it is suitable for installation in a utility room, airing cupboard or garage, should you have the space available.
For greater energy efficiency, the Heatslave II is also compatible with green energy sources such as solar panels.
Eco Hot Water Mode
Another feature of the Greenstar Heatslave II to aid efficiency is the Eco hot water mode, this is an optional feature that enables you to turn off the preheat option for water – whilst this will take longer for hot water to be delivered, it will result in a marked difference when it comes to fuel usage.
Ensuring the Greenstar Heatslave II is equipped for the future, it is compatible with Worcester Bosch’s EasyControl smart thermostat. When used in conjunction with this device, you will be able to control your heating system wherever you are, if you have an internet connection. In addition to this, you will also be able to check your energy usage and when used with smart TVRs, you will also be able to control the heating in individual rooms. Again, should you have children – you will also be able to toggle the child-lock setting on and off, all from your smartphone.
Remote Controls
The EasyControl smart thermostat can also automatically turn the heating down if you’re not in the house and can detect when you’re returning home, turning the heating up to your desired temperature.
Improving efficiency, the EasyControl smart thermostat enables you to view the performance of your Greenstar Heatslave II boiler and understand your gas consumption for heating and hot water, all directly from the companion smartphone app.
Key features:
- Cross firing burner
- Concealed heating controls
- Compact design
- Lightweight
- Designed to fit under a standard kitchen worktop
- Digital control offering precision heating and hot water control.
- Front access for routine servicing and providing flexibility in where the boiler can be installed
- Quiet operation – 56 dB
- Compatible with green energy sources
- Compatible with Worcester Bosch’s EasyControl smart thermostat
3. Firebird
Established in Ireland in 1980, Firebird offers a comprehensive range of oil-fired boilers suitable for internal, external and boilerhouse application.
Renowned for their oil-fired boilers, Firebird is committed to manufacturing products in accordance with the highest quality standards including ISO 9001 : 2008.
Firebird Envirogreen Internal Combi Boiler
Cost-Effective
Included here is a budget option, from £3900 installed, the Firebird Envirogreen Internal Combi Boiler is offered at a notably cheaper price point than the other oil combi boilers included within this list.
Available in 20kW, 26kW and 35kW options, there is an option of the Firebird Envirogreen Internal Combi Boiler for small, medium and large properties with one or two bathrooms.
High Efficiency
One of the reasons we like the Firebird Envirogreen Internal Combi Boiler is for its compact dimensions. This means like the Worcester Bosch Greenstar Heatslave II mentioned above, it can easily fit underneath a standard worktop in the kitchen or utility room. Should installation in these not locations be suitable, it is also a good choice for installing in a garage.
With a 93% efficiency rating and an A rating for heat, the Firebird Envirogreen offers great efficiency which equals lower fuel bills for you.
Blue Flame Technology
This efficiency is greatly achieved by the use of blue flame technology. The blue flame technology employed in the Firebird Envirogreen enables the boiler to emit low NOx emissions which exceed the minimum stated levels.
The Firebird Envirogreen also offers fast, easy installation with multi-directional flue options, whilst all of the main component parts are undone with a single Allen key. This also makes servicing and maintenance much simpler for heating engineers using a 4mmm Allen key.
Key features:
- Excellent hot water performance – over 16 litres/min on 35kW model
- Suitable for installation underneath a standard worktop
- PCB controller using highly accurate thermistors.
- Rapid re-heat after hot water draw-off.
- Hard-wearing casings with a high-quality finish
- Front servicing access
- Concealed control panel
- Twin circulating pump – no diverter valve
- No flow switch
- Fully insulated and acoustically designed for ultra-quiet operation
- Multi-directional flue options
Overall winner:
Navien LCB700 Blue Flame Combi Internal Boiler
Our recommendation for the best oil combi boiler for 2022 is the Navien LCB700 Blue Flame Combi Internal Boiler.
We have come to this conclusion based on the following:
- Efficiency: The Navien LCB700 provides excellent efficiency of 93%
- Warranty: With a 10-year warranty, the Navien has the longest warranty period of all of the boilers recommended here
- Technology: Blue flame technology, a stainless steel heat exchanger, self-learning DHW water usage monitoring and integration with Navien Smart Plus room thermostats all contribute to the Navien LCB700’s excellent efficiency
- Lighter: Making it easy to transport and install.
- Modulation: 10-1, only oil boiler on the market to modulate