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Ask our Expert
Is a combination boiler right for a large house?
Dear Chris, I live in a three storey house but I read that one combination boiler would not be enough to heat the whole place. I was also told that the combination boiler would have to be on the same level as the highest radiator in the house.
Is any of this true? Can you help me?
Thanks,
David Braine, via email, Friday 11 February, 2011
Our expert says...
The choice between a standard and a combination boiler is mainly one of personal preference, but there are some issues which can help in making the choice.
Hot water
In terms of efficiency and suitability, combination boilers are generally best for households with a relatively low demand for hot water. Standard boilers with a hot water tank are better for places that use a lot of hot water.
For example, if a household has several bathrooms, then there is a greater chance that several people will run a hot tap at once - a combination boiler would not be able to meet this demand.
Conversely, in a house with low occupancy and limited hot water use there is a greater chance that a standard boiler would waste energy heating up water which then wouldn’t get used.
Heating
Regarding heating the rooms of your three storey house, there is nothing to choose between a combination and a standard boiler, whatever the size of the property.
If the boiler is operating on pressure from the mains - a sealed system - then it can go anywhere in the house, provided the mains pressure is sufficient.
If the boiler is fed by a header tank - a vented system - then the boiler needs to be significantly below the header tank, as do all the radiators.
Combination boilers should be located as close as possible to the main hot water taps, whereas with a standard boiler it is more important to ensure that the hot water cylinder is close to the taps.
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