Choosing a new boiler is a big decision, so putting in some time to research the right central heating system for your property is a smart idea. A boiler is one of the biggest investments we make in our homes, so it’s not a choice to rush into.
The size of your home is the first thing to consider for anyone wondering: “which boiler do I need for my house?”. We also recommend thinking about the number of bedrooms, bathrooms and radiators in your property when seeking out the perfect fit for your family home.
To help out, Ideal Heating has created a definitive list of top tips and expert advice on how to choose a new central heating system, no matter if your home is big or small.
What Size Boiler Do I Need for My Home?
When we talk about the size of a boiler, we’re thinking about their power output in Kilowatts (kW), rather than how much physical space they take up in our lofts or kitchens. The bigger your home and the more radiators, taps and showers you have, the more power your boiler will need to produce to supply the amount of hot water you need.
For quick and easy reference, we’ve put together a summary of what size boiler might be best for you depending on your type of property. We’ve looked at three typical sizes for family homes — a two-bedroom flat, a three-bedroom terraced house and a five-bedroom detached property.
The Best Combi Boiler for a Small Flat
If you’re living in a simple two-bedroom flat, you don’t need to look any further than a combi boiler. For a central heating system running on gas, an apartment with one shower and bathroom suits an efficient model like the Logic Max Combi, available in sizes from 24 to 34kW.
In addition to flats, if you’ve already spent some time researching new boilers, you may have noticed that smaller boiler sizes are recommended for larger homes. This may seem confusing, but there’s a surprisingly simple answer to this puzzle.
Combi boilers are larger because they supply all of the hot water we need for our central heating and showers and taps, in one complete package. However, they’re still more power efficient than other boiler types, as they only produce the hot water you need rather than heating up and storing water for later. Don’t forget that we’re still talking about power when we refer to size — combi boilers are generally very compact and lightweight.
The Best Boiler Size for a Three-Bedroom House
If you’re looking for the right boiler for a three-bedroom terraced house, a premium boiler like the Vogue Max Combi could be the perfect choice for you. A stylish model that’s easy to install and maintain, this boiler comes in sizes of 26, 32 and 40kW.
A three-bedroom property is likely to have one shared bathroom and shower, so there shouldn’t be a lot of competition for hot water among your family. That’s one of the main reasons that a compact and efficient combi boiler will provide everything you need for your central heating system.
You’re going to have little need for hot water to be stored in hot water cylinders, which are used by system boilers and heat only models. Additionally, a well-maintained combi boiler also offers lower energy bills and is a great choice for keeping your carbon footprint down.
The Best Boiler Size for a Five-Bedroom House
When choosing the right boiler for a large five-bedroom detached house, bear in mind that larger homes naturally have more demand for more hot water. You might have more than one bathroom being used in the morning or evening, as well as demand for heating in the colder months.
Because you’ll need a model that can supply plenty of hot water at the same time, it makes sense to have a boiler that’s capable of providing all the water you need, such as the Vogue Max System. This model is available in the sizes 15, 18 and 26kW, featuring a system filter to make it even more efficient.
A system boiler stores the water it heats up in a cylinder, helping to make sure you don’t run out of hot water even when there is a lot of demand. You can even install a larger cylinder if you find that you need to store more hot water.
Installing My New Boiler
Once you’ve found your new boiler, don’t be tempted to install it yourself unless you’re a Gas Safe registered engineer. This job is one that should always be left to the professionals, as a poorly installed boiler can perform less efficiently and be dangerous to you and your family.
Once it’s installed, it’s important to take good care of your boiler so that it continues to work safely and efficiently. Arranging for an annual boiler service will make sure that any essential checks and maintenance are carried out, helping to keep your energy bills down and your household safe.
You can use our Ideal Heating boiler calculator to get a personalised answer to help you choose a new central heating system, based on your answers to a quick and easy set of questions. If you need any more help, support or information, you can get in touch with us directly at Ideal Heating.
