Introduction
Conventional or ‘regular’ boilers are the types of the boiler that you will probably be able to find in older traditional households, and utilise hot water and cold water cylinders to store water.
If you want to find out more about conventional boilers, such as what they are and where you can find them, you’re in the right place.
In this guide, you’ll find out everything you need to know about conventional boilers, such as how they work and the benefits.
What’s in this guide?
Top 8 Conventional Boiler Suppliers
1. British Gas
Type: Energy supplier
Services: Boilers, repairs, services
British Gas is one of the most well-known brands in all of the UK, and have been operating for over a hundred years both with supplying energy and offering extra services such as boilers and boiler cover.
They work with many different companies such as Vaillant, Worcester-Bosch and Glow-Worm to find you the boiler that matches your needs.
2. Baxi
Type: Boiler manufacturer
Pricing: £534+
Baxi is a boiler manufacturer who can provide their customers not only with conventional or ‘heat only’ boilers but also those that are a combination or system boilers too.
These heat only boilers on offer from Baxi feature a 3-year warranty, and they are best suited for those who want to replace an old system.
3. Vaillant
Type: Boiler supplier
Pricing: £726.91+
Vaillant is a well-known boiler supplier in the UK, who provide high quality and efficient solutions for boilers which can last a long time and compact enough to fit within a cupboard.
Their EcoFit boiler is not only cost-effective but also convenient as it can be controlled via vSMART, which uses the internet.
4. Worcester-Bosch
Type: Boiler supplier
Pricing: £874+
Worcester-Bosch was founded in 1962, and they have committed to the highest quality and standards of manufacturing since their inception over 50 years ago.
They can offer their customers combination, system and conventional boilers, which have a high-efficiency rating and budget-friendly costs.
5. Ideal Boilers
Type: Boiler supplier
Pricing: £793.01+
Ideal Boilers is a company that has been around since the early 1900s, and they have been providing their customers with excellent quality boilers and equipment for over 100 years.
They offer their customers boiler solutions which have a 10-year warranty, a compact and low weight design as well as things like frost protection.
6. Glow-Worm
Type: Boiler supplier
Pricing: £774.04+
Glow-Worm claims to be pioneers in the boiler industry, and they have provided their customers with a wide range of boilers such as those that are combination boilers as well as regular boilers.
Their A-rated regular boilers feature a great range of different outputs to match your specific needs; they are efficient and have a neat design.
7. Alpha
Type: Boiler supplier
Alpha has over 50 years of experience leading the way for the heating industry, and combine their traditional business values with modern innovation.
They can offer their customers a conventional boiler which is fitted with a hot water cylinder, with a 7-year warranty, optional wiring and backlit displays.
8. Vokera
Type: Boiler supplier
Pricing: £492+
Vokera is an industry leader in heating technologies, and provide solutions for both uses in domestic situations as well as for your business.
They have conventional and system boilers on offer, as well as regular boilers which have standard built-in quality and ease of installation.
FAQ
What is a conventional boiler?
A conventional or ‘regular’ boiler typically uses both hot and cold water cylinders to store your water, which means that one of the negatives is that you need a lot of room, and when the water runs out, you’ll need to save up more.
These types of boilers will traditionally use either oil or gas, which is used to slowly heat water over time then release it when needed.
This could give you exactly the amount of water that you need, which is an excellent choice for larger families and homes.
How do conventional boilers work?
A conventional boiler will use gas or oil fuel to power a heat exchanger to warm up all of your water, a pump then transports the water to your hot water storage tank to use at any point within your day.
This could be used in your radiators, as well as in your taps or for your shower.
How much is a conventional boiler?
Usually, a conventional boiler will cost you between £1,500 and £2,500.
What is the advantage of having a conventional boiler?
While it’s true that there are some downsides to choosing a conventional boiler, there are many advantages which include the following:
✔ Excellent choice for larger homes
✔ You can get hot water from several sources at once
✔ There will still be the right amount of pressure if you use two sources of hot water at the same time
What should I consider when getting a new conventional boiler?
There are some aspects that you should consider if you are planning on getting or replacing your conventional boiler, such as the following.
- You need to make sure that there is not only enough room to fit a conventional boiler, but also the space to be able to fit a hot water cylinder and a cold water tank, which often goes in your loft
- Usually, you will need to prepare for needing hot water ahead of time, as your regular boiler will take time to heat the water, and once it’s gone you’ll need to wait for the next amount of hot water
- Sometimes, your boiler will have controls so you can heat the water in your hot water cylinder
What are the different types of boilers?
There are several different types of boilers, including the following:
- System boilers
- Conventional or ‘regular’ boilers
- Combination or ‘combi’ boilers
Each of these types of boilers has its advantages and disadvantages, which will depend on aspects like your budget and the size of your home.
Which type of boiler is best for me?
Deciding which boiler for you might depend on many different factors, such as the following:
- Your budget
- How much hot water you use
- The size of your home
- How many people are living at your home
- The amount of room you have
- Whether you have a loft
Can I still buy a conventional boiler?
While it’s true that you can still purchase a conventional boiler, you should try and analyse whether a conventional boiler is right for you.
For instance, a combination boiler is quickly becoming the favourite in terms of boilers because it doesn’t require a hot or cold water cylinder.
Who is the best boiler manufacturer?
The best boiler manufacturer for you might depend on things like their customer service, reputation as well as the variety of the range that they have on offer.
For instance, British Gas has a wide selection of boilers on offer, but their customer reputation on trusted websites like Trustpilot is relatively poor.
However, Vaillant has an excellent four-star rating on Trustpilot, but they have a more limited number of boilers to choose.
How long do boilers traditionally last?
Boilers will usually last around 15 years. However, this might be longer if you ensure that you service your boiler every year.
When should I get a new boiler?
There are sure signs that you need to get a new boiler; here are what you should be looking out for.
- You need to call a gas engineer more than once a year
- Your bills are increasing even if you aren’t using more energy
- Either your boilers or your radiators are becoming noisy
- The flame which is in your boiler is yellow instead of blue
- There is an eggy smell, in which case you might have a gas leak
- Your boiler is leaking water
- You are struggling to find replacement parts for your boiler
- It isn’t working as effectively as it used to
How can I pay for a new boiler?
There are usually a couple of different ways that you can pay for a new boiler; either up front in total, or you could pay off the cost of your boiler over a few months in easy to afford prices.
Companies like British Gas, for example, act as credit brokers and can arrange a finance agreement which could potentially fund up to 100% of the entire fee of your boiler, which could offer you two years interest-free.
Or, you could approach an alternative finance provider or a bank, in which case the price will depend on the type of provider you choose and aspects such as your credit score.
How often should you have your boiler serviced?
Typically speaking, even if you aren’t experiencing problems with your boiler, you should still try and get your boiler serviced on an annual basis.
How long does it take?
Essential boiler services might only take around 30 minutes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a conventional boiler might be an excellent fit for you depending on your circumstances, such as the size of your home or how many people live at your house.
Have you learnt everything you need to know about conventional boilers and which suppliers offer them?
Do you want to learn more about boilers?
Check out the ExpertSure guides here, or fill out the form at the top of the page.