Condensing Combi Boiler
A condensing combi boiler is one of the highest efficiency boilers you can buy in the UK at the moment.
First things first:
When were condensing boilers introduced in the UK?
All new gas boilers installed in the UK since 1st April, 2005 have been required by law to be condensing boilers.
The same rule came into effect for oil boilers on 1st April, 2007 .
These new regulations were introduced to combat the ever looming threat of climate change, as studies found an estimated 40% of UK emissions coming from households.
Pick any of the topics below to start reading:
- What is a Combi Boiler?
- How Does a Combi Boiler Work?
- How does Condensing Technology Work?
- When Should You switch to a Combi Boiler
- Which Boiler is Best for Your Property?
- What is a Storage Combi Boiler?
- Combi Boiler Efficiency
- Combi Boiler Reliability
- How much is a New Combi Boiler?
- New Combi Boiler Installation Cost
- Best Combi Boilers
- Most Energy Efficient Combi Boilers in the UK
- Buy a Combi Boiler Online
How does a combi boiler work?
Whether your boiler is running on Mains Gas, Oil or LPG, the fuel enters a sealed combustion chamber inside the boiler and an electric ignition sets it alight.
The primary heat exchanger within the boiler then heats incoming water up to 60 degrees, which then flows through all the radiators in your home, which is how central heating works.
A condensing combi boiler combines home heating and on-demand hot water within the same compact unit.
In direct contrast, open vent (also called regular, standard or conventional) boilers and system boilers heat water that’s stored in a tank.
As you can see in the cross-section diagram of a condensing combi boiler above:
They have two heat exchangers inside them;
- A primary heat exchanger. (For central heating)
- Secondary plate heat exchanger. (For hot water)
The primary heat exchanger heats and recycles the water that goes through the pipes into the radiators.
The secondary plate heat exchanger uses that returning dirty hot water from radiators, and heats up sealed pipes with drinking water that goes into your taps.
Other types of boilers
Conventional/Regular/Standard/Open Vent Boilers
These are also called standard boilers. The technically accurate term is “Open Vent Boilers”. Conventional or standard boilers require a cold water tank in the loft, and a hot water cylinder elsewhere in the house.
If you have a large house that has more than 2 bathrooms, and hot water may be called simultaneously, a conventional boiler may suit you best.
Sealed System Boilers
The heating and hot water components are built into the boiler.
It needs a pressurized unvented cylinder for storing hot water.
Unlike a conventional boiler, you don’t need a cold water tank in your loft or attic.
How does Condensing Technology Work?
All boilers manufactured in the last 17 years are condensing boilers.
A condensing combi boiler (or any condensing boiler) recovers more heat by recycling exhaust gases (mostly hot steam with some acidic content), which older non-condensing boilers used to waste.
Hot steam contains energy, and in a modern condensing combi boiler, the hot flue gases go through a heat exchanger first before they exit through the flue outside.
The diagram below explains how a condensing boiler works:
In fact, as per the latest regulations around this, titled Boiler Plus Legislation, every new boiler installation in England or Wales needs to be a condensing boiler, whether it’s combi, open vent or sealed system.
So, whether you buy a Worcester Bosch or Viessmann, or Vaillant or Baxi or another brand of your choice today, you can be rest assured that you are buying a condensing boiler.
Unless someone convinces you to buy an 18 year old boiler, I think we’re safe here.
When should you switch to a combi boiler?
When you want to save space
Whether you’re changing from a Regular/Open Vent/Conventional setup, or a Sealed System setup, a condensing combi boiler doesn’t need any attic tanks or hot water cylinders to store or heat water.
That frees up extra space in your home.
When you want to save energy
Because a condensing combi boiler heats water on-demand i.e. only when you need it, you can save money on energy bills.
With a hot water cylinder, whether you use that water or not, it eventually cools down and needs to be reheated to be ready for use, at least twice every day.
While that is convenient and a nice-to-have, you are wasting extra energy.
When you want to save money
According to the Energy Saving Trust, replacing a boiler that’s older than 15 years with a new A-rated condensing combi boiler can save you up to 40% on your energy bills.
Internal components of a boiler go through ridiculous thermal stresses on a daily basis. Over time this results in corrosion.
Corroded parts can bring the efficiency of a non-condensing boiler down to 70% to 50% over years of use. In monetary terms, that means you may be losing £30 to £50 of every £100 you spend on your energy bills.
A brand new condensing combi boiler is above 90% efficiency, can get to 94% with programmable and learning thermostats along with weather compensation.
Premium combi boilers like the Viessmann Vitodens 200-W can be almost 100% efficient!
That extra £30 to £50 saved over the short term can result in huge savings over the long term.
When you want to be environmentally responsible
Changing to a modern, A-rated condensing combi boiler with a smart thermostat and weather compensation can help save not only your hard-earned money because of higher efficiency, but also help reduce your carbon footprint and leave a cleaner, greener planet behind for your future generations.
While it’s not destroying our planet on an extreme level like animal agriculture or carbon emissions from huge corporations, it’s still a step in the right direction.
- Flat/1-2 Bedroom House (1 Bathroom)
- Combi Boiler
- Storage Combi Boiler
- Conventional Boiler
- Sealed System Boiler
- Semi Detached House (3 Bedrooms & 2 Bathrooms)
- High Output Combi Boiler
- Storage Combi Boiler
- Conventional Boiler
- Sealed System Boiler
- Mid or End Terraced House (3 Bedrooms & 2 Bathrooms)
- High Output Combi Boiler
- Storage Combi Boiler
- Conventional Boiler
- Sealed System Boiler
- Large Detached House/Bungalow (4 Bedrooms & Multiple Bathrooms)
- High Output Storage Combi Boiler
- Conventional Boiler
- Sealed System Boiler
- Sealed System Boiler
Condensing Combi Boiler Efficiency
55% of what you spend in a year on energy bills is spent on heating.
According to the Energy Saving Trust: “Heating accounts for about 55% of what you spend in a year on energy bills, so an efficient boiler makes a big difference.” The biggest reason for modern combi boiler efficiency in 2018 is down to condensing boiler technology.
How is efficiency for a condensing combi boiler calculated?
Combi boilers are measured on how good they are at converting fuel to heat.
ErP Rating:
ErP uses letters from A to G to rank the efficiency of a boiler or a central heating system.
A rated boilers have the highest efficiency and G the lowest.
Almost all modern boilers have an A rating these days.
The table below shows annual energy costs based on energy efficiency to heat your home for different types of boilers:
| Type of Boiler | Efficiency | Semi-Detached | Detached | Flat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Condensing Boiler | 89%-92% | £740 | £1050 | £450 |
| Non-Condensing Boiler | 75%-78% | £850 | £1210 | £580 |
| Old Back Boiler (Light Weight) | 60%-65% | £1020 | £1450 | £670 |
| Old Back Boiler (Heavy Weight) | 50%-55% | £1210 | £1720 | £790 |
Condensing Combi Boiler Reliability
How much is a new combi boiler?
New Combi Boiler Installation Cost
If you see a website advertising a new combi boiler installation cost, for example, “£1695 inc. VAT for a new combi boiler on your wall!” that is possibly for the easiest new combi boiler installation cost, for example, swapping your old combi boiler with a new one. In many cases, low prices may also be down to a cheaper, lower efficiency boiler with substandard parts.
Whichever boiler system you convert to combi from, below are the steps taken as standard for each installation:
- Drain existing heating & hot water system.
- Remove existing boiler, and any hot water cylinder and attic tanks.
- Controls will be upgraded to ones suitable for a combi boiler.
- Existing smart controls like Nest or Hive can be configured to work with the new combi boiler.
- All scrap to be carted away from the site and recycled.
- The central heating system will be converted to combi.
- The gas run will be upgraded to 22mm pipes for modern, condensing combi boilers.
Once all of that is done, the following will be installed:
- Brand New, Modern Condensing Combination Boiler
- Horizontal or Vertical Flue
- Microbubble deaerator (if required)
- Magnetic Filter
- Limescale Filter
- Boiler Plus Compliant Programmable Thermostat
- OR Internet Enabled Learning Thermostat
- North Facing Weather Compensation
- Chemical Flush & Add an Approved Inhibitor
- Associated Pipe Work to Complete Installation
- Registration of Extended 7-10 Years Warranties
- Commission & Test to MFI & Complete Benchmark
- Building Regulation Notification with Certification including Landlord Certificates
- Hand Over & Induction on Boiler, Controls & Best Usage
Below are the approximate costs for installation and conversion from different boiler setups to combi:
Cost to Convert Open Vent to New Condensing Combi Boiler
With higher capacity combi boilers and storage combi boilers available now, this has become very common. A decade or so ago we didn’t have powerful combi boilers, so the only option was to either get rid of attic tanks and convert to a system boiler or replace the old open vent boiler with a new one. But now we have larger capacity combi boilers (from 35kw to 38kW) and storage combi boilers for larger properties with 2 bathrooms and higher demand for simultaneous hot water demands.
Average Installation Cost for Conversion from Sealed System Boiler to New Condensing Combi Boiler
Pictured above is a Viessmann 100-W Sealed System Boiler and an Unvented Cylinder
Sealed System boilers don’t need to store cold water in expansion tanks in the attic/loft. They only need the hot water cylinder for domestic hot water storage.
Cost to Swap Old Combi with New Condensing Combi Boiler
Possibly the easiest and quickest form of combi boiler installation. Because your central heating is already working around a combi setup, all the installer needs to do is take out the old combi boiler, and install the new one. In some cases, the gas run will have to be upgraded to 22mm for a modern condensing combi boiler.
Cost to Convert Back Boiler to New Condensing Combi Boiler
This may be the most complicated combi boiler installation because there is a lot of work involved. The old back boiler needs to be decommissioned and either left in place or removed if you want it. Removal may require a lot of make-good work. This installation in most cases also connects to a vertical flue instead of the commonly used horizontal flue, which adds to the cost.
Cost to Install a Full Central Heating System with a Condensing Combi Boiler
If you’re installing a brand new central heating system around a combi boiler, the cost can be significantly higher compared to a simple combi boiler replacement. A new central heating system installation includes radiators and TRVs (Thermostatic Radiator Valves) and Lock-Shield Valves. Because it’s a brand new installation, installers don’t need to drain the existing system or remove anything.
Should You Try and Install a Combi Boiler Yourself?
NO
Please DO NOT try and install a boiler yourself.
New gas connections will have to be made, which means only Gas Safe Registered Engineers should do it. If you try to do it yourself, or get a plumber without the proper certification to do it, without the required tools, you can face heavy fine or even prison time.
Why does the UK law require you to do so?
- Gas Safe Registered Engineers spend 5 years studying, and hit their true level of experience in 5-10 years.
- Flue Gas Analysers, which cost between £600 & £1000, are required by law.
- Flues Gas Analysers need to be calibrated annually and hold a certificate.
- Suitability of the combi boiler for the property needs to be checked.
- Boiler siting needs to be safe and comply with Gas Safe & Building Regulations.
- Manufacturer specified appropriate materials and fittings have to be used.
- If you or your plumber are not Gas Safe Registered and make a new gas connection to a boiler = heavy fines or prison.
- Equipment like manometers test the gas supply and make sure the pressures are safe.
- Gas integrity needs to be tested prior to connecting the boiler. And again once connected.
- Let-by test & tightness test.
- Flow rates need to be checked and adjusted.
- Gas Safe Engineers need to gas rate the boiler, and check gas pressures and flue integrity.
Best Combi Boilers 2023 UK – Gas/LPG
Below is a list of not only the best condensing combi boilers in the UK, but most of these are also the most energy efficient combi boilers on sale in the UK.
1. Viessmann Vitodens 200-W
This is the most powerful and highest efficiency condensing combi boiler money can buy in the UK right now. There’s nothing else quite like it in the domestic boiler range in the UK from any of its rivals. It’s also number 1 in condensing combi boiler list in Germany.
- 98% Energy Efficiency. Almost all of the fuel used is converted into heat
- 5 inch colour touchscreen. Easy to operate Vitotronic control unit.
- Control via app and internet (with optional Vitoconnect 100 WLAN adaptor)
- High Quality Inox-Radial Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger
- Quietest boiler in the UK at only 34 decibels
- Compact dimensions, only 450 mm wide
- Optional remote fault notifications for Viessmann Trained Installers
2. Viessmann Vitodens 100-W
This boiler bridges the gap between affordable combi boilers and the absolute premium.
For a full review of the 100-W, please click here.
- High Quality Stainless Steel Inox-Radial Heat Exchanger
- Backlit LCD Touch Screen for Easy Operation
- Class A rated for Energy Efficiency
- Available in outputs from 4.7 to 35 kW
- Up to 10 year extended warranty available
- LPG Conversion Kit Available
Definitely one of the best boilers available in the UK right now. It sits right between the entry-level Vitodens 050-W and the high end, premium Vitodens 200-W.
3. ATAG iC Economiser Plus
This is a surprise entry on the list of best combi boilers 2019. Very few people know about ATAG in the UK. That’s because this is an unbiased list focusing mostly on technologically brilliant, energy efficient combi boilers.
- 10 Year Warranty
- Unique iCon stainless steel heat exchanger
- Instant hot water with pre-heat facility
- Built in Passive Flue Gas Heat Recovery Device
4. Vaillant ecoTEC Plus Combi
Another big German brand operating in the UK for many years, manufacturing high quality, high efficiency, robust boilers.
The Vaillant ecoTEC Plus Condensing Combi Boiler features:
- Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger
- 5-year guarantee as standard, with 7 to 10 years available when you book a Vaillant Advance installer
- Dimensions in mm (825 model): H 720 x W 440 x D 338
- Works with LPG where required
5. Worcester Greenstar 4000 Combi Boiler
Market leader in the UK for many years, Worcester Bosch’s new Greenstar 4000 Combi Boiler features are:
- Simple boiler controls with clear temperature display
- Larger two bathroom properties can be supplied by higher output options
- Wide choice of controls enables greater comfort and economy
- Instantaneous hot water, always available
6. Viessmann Vitodens 050-W
Winner of the Which? Best Buy Award for the second year running in 2018, this condensing combi boiler is comparable to the Worcester Bosch and Vaillant models, but cheaper.
- Ultra Compact – Just 707mm in height
- DHW output ratings of 5.9 to 35 kW
- High quality stainless steel Inox-Radial heat exchanger
- High efficiency – up to 97% (Hs) [gross cv]
Watch our review of the Viessmann Vitodens 050-W
Buy a Combi Boiler Online
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