You may already own an oil boiler if you live in a rural area and are disconnected from the main gas grid.
These central heating systems are far less common than your standard gas boiler and should not be a consideration for those who already own a gas central heating system.
However, if your home runs on an oil boiler and you are considering upgrading, this article can provide the resources you need to make the best decisions for your home.
Types Of Oil Boilers
Before looking at specific boiler models, you should understand the differences between the three main types of oil boilers: regular, combi, and system. All oil boilers have the same basic principle – they burn fuel to heat water and send it through pipes inside your home.
However, each type of oil boiler operates in distinct ways, so you must consider its unique features before committing to a purchase.
1. Regular Oil Boilers
Regular oil boilers provide hot water and central heating for your home with the addition of a hot water cylinder and cold water tank.
When purchasing regular oil boilers, you will be acquiring three units:
● The boiler that sends hot water through your central heating system.
● The cold water tank that provides the water supply for your boiler.
● The hot water cylinder that stores preheated hot water to run hot water to your outlets throughout the house.
Regular boilers are ideal for large homes with high hot water demand and are an easy upgrade for those who already own a regular oil boiler system. If you don’t have the existing pipework, opting for a different oil boiler may be more affordable. Since there are three external components to install, regular boilers also require a lot of space.
If you decide that a regular oil boiler is right for you, there are many models you can choose from. One model includes the Grant Vortex Blue, which has prices for the boiler unit ranging from £2,100 to £2,605 and efficiency ratings of 90.8 to 94.5 per cent.
2. Combi Oil Boilers
Combi boilers are small, compact and efficient. Unlike regular and system boilers, combi boilers can provide both heating and hot water.
That means you only need to install the one unit which heats water directly from your mains supply.
Perhaps the main drawback of combi boilers is their inability to meet high hot water demands.
If you try to run multiple showers and taps at the same time with a combi oil boiler, it will affect your water pressure. For this reason, smaller homes with fewer household members are best suited for a combi boiler.
If you wish to purchase a reliable combi oil boiler, consider the Firebird Envirogreen HE, with efficiency ratings of 93 per cent, quiet operation and prices ranging from £2,150 to £2,600.
3. System Oil Boilers
System oil boilers operate alongside an external hot water cylinder to provide hot water and central heating.
However, unlike regular boilers, these boilers do not require a separate cold water tank, saving you storage space and money.
System boilers are a worthy upgrade for those with combi boilers not meeting their hot water demands. They are also appropriate to replace old, inefficient regular boilers which can help save space.
System boilers are excellent for large modern homes with high hot water demand.
If you like the sound of system oil boilers, many fantastic options are available, such as the Warmflow Agentis.
This system oil boiler is one of the most efficient, with an impressive A rating. They also have a five-year warranty and cost between £1,500 to £2,000, excluding installation costs.
If you want to learn more about any of the oil boiler models suggested throughout this article, you can visit this helpful guide by Boiler Guide on oil boilers in the UK.
External And Internal Oil Boilers
When purchasing oil boilers, you have the choice of installing them internally inside the home or externally outside the home.
Your preferred choice may impact which model you buy, as some boiler models are unsuitable for one or the other.
External boilers are the more expensive option but are a great way to save space inside the house.
Having your boiler outside also eliminates the risk of deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if there is ever a fault with your boiler.
Consider your specific needs and budget when choosing your ideal oil boiler.
You should replace your oil boiler every 10 to 15 years to ensure it functions efficiently.
If it is time to upgrade your oil boiler, consider using our helpful guide to narrow down your endless options.
If you want a more eco-friendly alternative to an oil boiler, you might consider instead installing a sustainable heat pump.
These systems run on renewable energy and emit fewer carbon emissions for the eco-conscious consumer.
