Does your Wirral property need a new boiler? There are many aspects to consider when investing in a boiler replacement, one of which is the size. Getting your sizing right can make a huge difference to the ease at which you have access to hot water and how much you end up paying on your energy bills.
But what exactly does boiler size mean?
What Does a Boiler’s Size Refer to?
Boiler size refers to how much heat energy it kicks out (measured in kilowatts) not its physical size. Broadly speaking, the higher your heating and hot water requirements, the “bigger” the boiler you need will be. However, a boiler that is too big will overcompensate for any heat loss and could end up costing you more.
So what factors should you weigh up as you make your decision?
How Much Hot Water Do You Need?
The amount of hot water your family needs will influence the type of boiler you choose. Wirral families can choose between conventional, system, or combi boilers.
If you have a large family that uses a lot of hot water, a conventional or system boiler could meet your heating needs. Both boiler options store preheated hot water in water cylinders. Conventional and system boilers take up more physical space, but are available in smaller boiler sizes. The average Wirral home’s heat load is roughly 10kW to 20kW, which allows for the conventional and system boiler to be sized lower.
Combi boilers, on the other hand, heat water as it is used. Combi boilers are connected directly to your mains water supply and do not store water in additional water cylinders. Smaller families that do not need a lot of hot water can benefit from combi boiler installation.
These boilers are sized according to how much water it heats per minute at a specific temperature (called a rise). For example, the size of your combi boiler could be expressed as 15 litres per minute at 35°C rise. Most UK households have combi boilers as they are a convenient and cost-effective way to heat smaller properties with lower heating demands.
Don’t Forget to Consider Water Pressure
You should also consider your home’s water pressure, as it influences how much water you need and the size of your boiler. The amount of water that passes through your boiler is called a flow rate. If your property has a higher flow rate, you will need to invest in a bigger boiler.
However, determining your home’s water flow can be challenging, as not all manufacturers provide information about their boiler’s maximum flow rate. To prevent costly installation mistakes, you should contact a professional boiler installation company to help you choose the right boiler for your property.
How Many Radiators Does Your Property Have?
The number of radiators your home has will also affect the size of your boiler.
A small flat, with a few radiators, would benefit from a smaller boiler as it would be the most economical option. A medium-sized house with four bedrooms generally has around ten radiators. A small or medium-sized combi boiler, roughly 24-30kW, would be ideal for this size of property.
Larger homes with more than twenty radiators, on the other hand, would need a large combi boiler of approximately 35-42kW. However, a house of this size would probably be better suited to a system boiler, which could be sized appropriately to ensure that you get the most efficient and cost-effective heating.
Although your home’s physical size plays a role when determining your boiler size, it is not the only consideration.
Heat Loss Calculations
While the number of radiators that heat your home and hot water demands are important, you also need to factor in your home heat loss.
An expert heating team, such as Wirral Plumbers, can consider all the relevant factors to calculate your home’s heat loss. They base their calculations on aspects such as the total floor area, the number of radiators, the type of windows you have, and whether you have insulation installed.
We will then use this information to determine how much heat your house will lose on the coldest day of the year. Once this is calculated, we will tell you exactly which boiler size is most appropriate for your home.
How Experienced is Your Wirral Boiler Installation Company?
The installation company you choose is just as important as the size of boiler you choose. Your installation company should be experienced, accredited, and Gas Safe Registered so that they can ensure you choose the best size of boiler for your Wirral home.
Wirral Plumbers have over 20 years of experience in central heating installations. We have seen the detriments of poor quality workmanship and know just how costly that can be. The last thing you want is to contact another boiler installation company to repair the work done by an inexperienced contractor, so make sure you get it right the first time around.
As an accredited and experienced installation company, we can help you choose the right sized boiler and provide high-quality boiler installation services that save you money in the long run.
Contact us today, and one of our experienced team members can get you started with an obligation-free quote.
