Published: Tuesday, 03 January 2017 When deciding which boiler will be best for your home, the most important factors are the type of boiler and brand. A new energy efficient boiler will save you up to £350 a year by reducing your energy bills.You can complete the form at the top of this page to compare prices of trusted boiler installers in your area. The type that will be best for you depends on the size of your home and your heating requirements. There are 3 main types of boilers suitable for UK households: A combi boiler provides heating and hot water directly from the boiler. They are the most popular choice for UK homes and are great for space saving. Combi boilers are generally cheaper to have installed than other types of boilers as there is no tank and less pipe work involved. If you are looking for a powerful shower then a combi boiler could well be the best option as the hot water is delivered through your taps or shower at mains pressure so there is no need for a pump.
+ Ideal for smaller homes or homes without much storage space + Cost and energy efficient - Might not be suitable for homes with more than one bathroom With a system boiler, the key heating and hot water components are built into the boiler. However it still needs a cylinder for storing hot water. Unlike a conventional boiler, you don’t need a tank in your loft, but you don’t get hot water instantly and it can run out. + Ideal for homes with 2 bathrooms + No need for a water tank in the loft + Economical to run Conventional boilers, also known as regular boilers or open vent boilers, require a cold water storage tank in the loft along with a tank that maintains the central heating system’s water level. They take up a fair amount of space, so your home or attic will need to be big enough. + Ideal for homes with more than 2 bathrooms + Best option for homes already with traditional heating and hot water system - Require plenty of storage space
- Combi and system boilers more economical to run The best boiler brands are generally well known and long standing manufacturers. Companies such as Worcester Bosch, Baxi, Vaillant and Ideal boilers are trusted names within the industry. Choosing any of these companies will allow you to feel safe in the knowledge that you are receiving a quality product. In 2015, both Worcester Bosch and Baxi have updated their Greenstar and EcoBlue ranges, respectively. These new systems are designed to align with new efficiency standards set to affect all boilers from September 2015. Compare New Boiler Quotes for FREE An independent review survey completed by Which? of over 3000 consumers showed that Vaillant and Worcester Bosch are the most reliable boiler brands. Both scored an impressive 83% for overall customer satisfaction. A low number of Worcester Bosch and Vaillant customers reported any problems with their boilers, just 32% and 29%, respectively, the lowest scores over the whole survey.
Baxi also fared well, with their Duo-tec combi 28 HE model being named the best overall boiler of 2015. The best boiler for your house will depend on the size of your house and your heating/hot water needs. The best boiler for a 1 bedroom flat will not necessarily be the same as the best boiler for a 3 bedroom, detached house. Below we have compared the best boilers for small, medium and large properties. Best for a 1 and 2 bedroom house If you have a smaller 1-2 bedroom house, or flat, with only one bathroom then you will be best off with a small combi boiler. A small property will require a combi boiler of around 24-27kW. Here are our recommendations for the best small combi boilers in 2015;central heating output (kW) Average price with installation* Best for a 3 bedroom house Average sized 3 bedroom houses, perhaps with one bathroom and an en suite, can benefit from a range of boilers. A more powerful combi boiler (28-34 kW) should suit your needs and is the easiest and least space demanding option.
A new, energy efficient, conventional boiler (18-24kW), with a water tank, could also be an option. It is best to talk to a qualified installer to receive the best advice for your situation. These are our recommendations of the best boilers for an average 3 bedroom house in 2015; Best for a 4 bedroom house Large, four bedroom and above houses, will have higher heating and water demands and will therefore require a more powerful boiler. Typically experts do not recommend combi boilers for larger houses as they do not cope as well with multiple showers/appliances using hot water simultaneously. However, a powerful combi boiler of 30kW and above may be suitable if that is your preferred option. Speak to an expert installer to find out what type of boiler would be best for your property. These are our recommendations for the best boilers for large, 4 bedroom houses in 2015; *Installation based on South East England, with no additional radiators, fittings, thermostats or powerflushing existing radiators.
Correct at time of publishing, to be used as a guideline only. How much do boilers cost? Can I get a free boiler? Compare New Boiler Quotes for FREEIf you have trouble getting a good night's sleep on your mattress, a mattress topper might be the perfect solution. It can boost the comfort level of an old mattress for a fraction of the price of buying a new one. Sometimes called a pillow-top mattress pad, a topper is a cushion you place on top of the mattress to add softness or support. The terms "mattress topper" and "mattress pad" are often used interchangeably, but the latter also refers to a thinner type of cover that's placed over a mattress to protect it from stains. This report focuses mainly on the type of toppers used for added cushioning, but we do recommend waterproof and non-waterproof mattress pads as well. The most common reason people decide to add toppers to their mattresses is to add new life to an older bed. Innerspring mattresses in particular tend to compress over time, losing their ability to shape themselves to a sleeper's body.
A mattress topper can add an extra layer of cushioning, relieving pressure points and enhancing sleep quality. However, mattress toppers can't compensate for major problems such as sagging, sinkholes or springs poking through the mattress cover. If your mattress is that bad, you need a new one. We have recommendations for the most popular types in our separate report on mattresses. Mattress pads aren't just for old mattresses, though. People often add a mattress topper to adjust the firmness level of a newer mattress. If you buy a new mattress and determine after a short time that it's too soft or firm for your taste, adding a topper can make it softer or firmer without the hassle and expense of trading in a nearly new model (returning a new mattress often involves shipping and restocking fees, not to mention the logistics of dealing with returning a large item). Placing a topper on just one side of the bed can also help couples who prefer different levels of mattress firmness. Memory foam is the most popular type of mattress topper, and it tends to be the most effective at improving mattress comfort.
Made from polyurethane, memory foam contains millions of open, spherical cells that respond to pressure and heat. It comes in many thicknesses and densities: In general, a thicker topper will have a softer feel, while a denser foam will provide more support. However, memory foam can trap body heat, and some say that the way it cradles the body can make it difficult to move around on. Many memory foam toppers also give off an unpleasant odor when new, although a good airing usually takes care of that. Latex foam is similar to memory foam, but it's made of either natural or synthetic latex rubber. It comes in many grades of thickness and firmness like memory foam, but generally tends to be a bit firmer. It's also somewhat less likely than memory foam to trap body heat and emit an unpleasant odor, but the "new mattress smell" can still be a problem for some users. Latex excels at providing both softness and support and it's a good choice for allergy sufferers because it's resistant to both mold and dust mites.
However, latex itself can be an allergen for some people and latex toppers are among the most expensive. Featherbeds are basically cushions stuffed with feathers or down. These add softness to a mattress, but not support. While they don't retain body heat as much as foam toppers do, they tend to compress under a user's weight and must be fluffed or shaken regularly to restore their shape. Featherbed mattress toppers are usually less expensive than foam ones. If you're sensitive to feathers, fiberbed and wool mattress toppers are very similar to featherbeds, but are made from hypoallergenic materials. Mattress pads are not mattress toppers, they are just a thin pad, with corners like a fitted sheet that go over your mattress to protect it from moisture and stains. Deep-pocket mattress pads can even fit over both a mattress topper and a mattress. Mattress pads are very affordable and there's little variation in quality. With the high cost of mattresses, we highly recommend that everyone protect their investment from spills, stains and other accidents.