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Boiler heating systems – Deciding which boiler heating system to choose can be a difficult choice to make. Before purchasing a new boiler, it is important to know about the four main types and how they work, we have collated some information about the different types of boilers available, and how they differ. Please feel free to get in contact to discuss the different boiler options available.
The make, model, size, and type of boiler can all affect how much energy you use and how your home and hot water are heated, which can vastly impact your energy bills and the temperature in your home.
There is also a variety of fuel sources available from gas, oil, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Mains gas is usually cheaper, and oil and LPG are normally the choices of those without a gas supply, although we are seeing, a rise in installations of heat pumps as the technology surrounding these is improving massively.
What is a combi boiler and how does it work?
Combi boilers are Spain’s most popular boiler type, only heating the water in your central heating system when you use it, which means they are also very cost-effective
The benefits of a combi boiler are:
Solares energies has a wide range of hot water boilers of all makes and models and we’re installing and maintaining these daily, throughout the Costa Del Sol and surrounding areas, including Marbella, Estepona, Benalmadena and Manilva.
What is a regular boiler and how does it work?
A regular boiler sends hot water to your radiators and a hot water cylinder, also known as a hot water tank. Water is fed by gravity into the cylinder from a cold-water storage tank, known as a feed tank, which has to be located above it, and is usually found either in a cupboard or in the attic or loft space.
Benefits of regular boilers:
Regular boilers typically suit:
A regular boiler is often a practical choice, and suits people/families with a higher demand for hot water, living in a larger property, and those with a lower mains pressure.
What is a system boiler and how does it work?
System boilers are completely different to combi boilers as they are not connected to the cold mains. A coil in the cylinder carries the central heating water at high temperature through the cylinder, heating its contents, allowing the now heated water to be transferred to multiple taps and showers at once. They can usually heat both radiators in the home at the same time as the cylinder, ensuring no loss of comfort.
Is a system boiler the same as a regular boiler?
System boilers hold several similarities with regular boilers, but also some very important differences. Regular boilers, also known as conventional or heat-only boilers, store hot water for later use much like system boilers. They are also found in older, larger homes because of this. However, regular boilers are kept artificially under pressure with the use of a header tank in the loft (also called a feed & expansion tank), whereas system boilers use a pressurised heating circuit, topped up by mains water.
They also use an external expansion vessel to maintain the water pressure, while the expansion vessel is often internal in a system boiler. Regular boilers use more space than a system boiler and often require more complex piping, which is why system boilers are more commonly used in modern properties with multiple bathrooms.
Is a system boiler the same as a combi boiler?
System boilers have a cylinder to store hot water for later use, while combi boilers only heat water on demand. The advantage of a combi boiler over a system boiler is that it requires less space due to its compact design, which is often necessary for smaller homes such as terrace houses and flats.
The choice between a system or combi boiler is often dependent on the heating and hot water needs of a household. Combi boilers are suitable for properties with one bathroom and 1-3 bedrooms, as this home typically requires less hot water.
However, combi boilers will struggle to meet the needs of larger households as only limited amounts of water can be heated on demand. System boilers, on the other hand, can store hot water for extended periods and better manage the hot water requirements of numerous radiators, taps and showers.
What is a condensing boiler?
It is now a legal requirement in England and Wales for all new and replacement gas and oil-fired boilers to be condensing boilers. This is to help reduce the CO2 emissions being produced by non-condensing units, which are currently 16% of the world’s annual CO2 emissions.
A condensing boiler is simply a boiler that features modern heat exchanger technology that enables it to burn fuel to heat your home. The heat exchanger technology uses the heat produced by some of the waste gases which traditionally would have been emitted into the atmosphere by your boiler. Condensing boilers tend to exhibit efficiency ratings far more than those exhibited by boilers with older, less efficient technology, which also means reducing your fuel bills.
Efficiency Ratings of Boilers
Efficiency is a measure of how good a boiler is at turning the fuel it runs on into usable heat energy for your home without wasting energy in other forms. The more efficient a boiler, the less fuel it needs to heat your home and the more you save on your energy bills.
An electric boiler is a heating system that uses electricity to heat water, which is then circulated through a building’s heating system to provide warmth. Electric boilers are typically used in smaller homes and apartments where there isn’t enough space for a larger boiler that runs on gas or oil.
The cost of an electric boiler can vary depending on several factors, including the size of the boiler, the efficiency rating, and the manufacturer. On average, a small electric boiler can cost between 500€ and 1,000€, while larger models can cost upwards of 2,000€ to 3,000€, in Malaga, Spain.. Installation costs will also need to be factored in, which can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on the complexity of the installation.
It’s important to note that while electric boilers can be cheaper to install than gas or oil boilers, they can be more expensive to operate due to the higher cost of electricity compared to gas or oil. However, in some areas where electricity rates are low, an electric boiler can be a cost-effective option for heating a home.
Biomass Boilers – What are they an how do they work? – One of the biggest selling points of a Biomass boiler is its ease of use. You are going back to basics burning a sustainable/renewable fuel to generate heat and energy. This renewable heating system works much like the existing boiler in your home, making the switch from traditional fossil fuel heating to a greener solution much easier. This renewable, sustainable, eco-friendly boiler utilises wood, wood chips, pellets, or logs, to generate heat.
Biomass heating works by burning the natural fuel that is intended for your specific system, whether that be wood pellets, logs, or wood chips, creating heat that can be utilised as a part of a heating system or for one localised area. For the boiler to continue operating it will need to be fed fuel, this can be automated or done manually depending on your preference and budget. Your biomass heating system will require little maintenance to function, however, the ash that is built up from burning fuel will need to be removed occasionally, and regular biomass boiler servicing or maintenance wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Depending on the model, size and manufacturer, a system boiler can cost between €500 and €2000.
An entry-level boiler is a good option for middle-of-the-range homes with slightly higher energy requirements than homes with 1-2 bedrooms. Premium models cost upwards of €1500 and are a great option for homes with significant heating requirements.
If you’re interested in having a system boiler installed, we have a range of Which? Best Buy awarded system boilers available. Talk to a local Vaillant expert in your area to find the perfect solution for you.
Benefits of system boilers:
When it comes to boiler heating systems, there are several common queries. One of the most frequent questions is about their working principle: boiler heating systems function by heating water to produce steam or hot water, which is then circulated via pipes to radiators or underfloor heating systems to warm up the space.
Regarding energy efficiency, modern boilers can be highly efficient, particularly condensing boilers which make use of heat that would otherwise be wasted. Another common question relates to the types of boilers: there are various kinds, including combi boilers that provide hot water on demand, system boilers that store hot water in a cylinder, and conventional boilers that require a cold water storage tank.
The best type for you will depend on your home’s size and your hot water needs. Concerning costs, while the initial investment in a new boiler can be significant, an efficient model can save you money on your energy bills in the long run.
Lastly, boiler maintenance is a frequently asked topic: regular servicing is important to ensure your boiler operates safely and efficiently, and this usually involves checking and cleaning the components and verifying the boiler’s functionality.
A regular boiler, often known as a conventional boiler, uses gas or oil to heat water that is then distributed throughout the house. A biomass boiler, on the other hand, uses organic material such as wood pellets, chips, or logs as fuel. The biggest difference between these two types of boilers is the fuel source used. While regular boilers use non-renewable fossil fuels, biomass boilers use renewable sources, making them a more environmentally-friendly option.
Biomass boilers are typically more expensive to install than regular boilers, but they can be cheaper to run if you have a cheap, local source of biomass fuel. Additionally, some countries offer incentives for installing biomass boilers due to their green credentials, which can help offset the higher upfront cost. Regular boilers may be less expensive to install, but they can be more expensive to run and have a larger carbon footprint.
Electric boilers can be nearly 100% efficient at the point of use, meaning all the electricity they use is converted into heat. This is more efficient than most gas boilers, which typically operate at around 90-95% efficiency. However, the overall efficiency of an electric boiler can be lower when you consider the process of generating and delivering electricity to your home, which involves some energy loss.
It’s also important to consider the cost of electricity versus gas. While electric boilers may be more efficient, electricity is often more expensive than gas, so running an electric boiler could cost you more. However, electric boilers have fewer moving parts, which can make them more reliable and potentially cheaper and easier to maintain than gas boilers.
The size of the electric boiler you need for your home depends on several factors including the size of your home, how well it’s insulated, and your family’s hot water usage. As a rough guide, a small apartment might need a 6-8kW boiler, while a large detached house might need a 14-16kW boiler or even larger.
It’s crucial to get a professional heating survey to determine the correct size boiler for your specific needs. If the boiler is too small, it won’t be able to meet your heating demands. If it’s too large, it will be more expensive to run and may not operate as efficiently. A heating engineer can provide a precise calculation based on your home’s heating requirements.
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Sadly many companies throughout Spain are not qualified or experienced in, supplying and installing a Boiler Heater System. Solares Energies has a wealth of knowledge and experience in supplying, installing and maintaining boiler systems. We have a dedicated team of electricians, gas fitters, plumbers and heating engineers based around the Costa del Sol area, covering the whole of Malaga, including Marbella, Estepona, Benalmadena and Manilva.
