Boiler FAQs: What Size Boiler Do I Need for My Home?

A boiler can keep your living room snug and warm in the winter, provide a soothing shower just when you need it most and ensure you sit down to a hot meal after a long day at work. 

To put it simply, finding a dependable, high quality boiler is the key to enjoying many of the everyday home comforts that keep us going through thick and thin — that’s why it’s so important to make sure you pick the perfect match for your household. 

We’ve compiled this simple guide to help you choose the boiler that’s just right for your property.

What Types of Boiler are Available?

When it comes to finding the right fit for your home, there are three main options to choose from: 

Heat Only Boilers

You might know heat only as 'regular' or 'conventional' boilers. They do exactly what it says on the tin — keep your home warm when you need it most. 

This type of boiler is often found in larger properties with lots of bathrooms, especially if a number of people need to use hot water at the same time. Heat only models work with a separate hot water cylinder and cold-water storage tank, which is generally found in loft spaces. 

System Boilers

A system boiler will maintain your central heating and provide hot water for your home, and is another good option for properties with several bathrooms. 

Unlike heat only models that require a storage tank, system models only need a cylinder to store hot water. This saves space and makes them a popular choice for homeowners who can’t access their loft space.

Combi Boilers

The clue’s in the name — combi boilers do it all. They provide both the heating and the hot water for your home all in one appliance, which means there’s no need to store water in a separate cylinder or storage tank. 

Combi models are recommended for households with limited space where there isn’t a lot of room for water storage. One of the key benefits of these models is they only heat the water you use, meaning they’re economical to run and could save you money on your utility bills.

Which Boiler is Right for Me?

Identifying the perfect boiler for your home depends on several factors, including the size of your property, the number of bedrooms and how many radiators you have. We’ve done the hard work for you by highlighting the best central heating options for different properties...

A Boiler for a Small Property

Let’s say your property is a modest 1 bedroom flat with a bath but no shower and your boiler uses bottled LPG gas. Space is obviously an important factor, so a combi boiler could be a great option because there’s no need to store water separately for your heating system.

A model that’s compact, functional and user-friendly would be perfect in these circumstances.  Easy to install and easy to use, the Ideal Logic Max Combi would be a fantastic fit for this home, with features including a large digital display and an easy-to-reach pressure gauge on its front panel. 

Boilers for a Medium-Sized Home 

If you have a 3 bedroom terraced house with one bath and two separate showers, you could have a range of options to choose from. Depending on the space you have available and the model you currently have installed, a system or combi boiler could be the best way to go. 

If you’re leaning towards a system boiler, considerations might include how easy the appliance is to install and use. With its low-lift weight, attractive build and full-colour backlit LCD display, the Vogue Max System could be a great choice. Featuring a high quality Ideal System filter, it adds up to a single package that makes heating your home simple.

If you’re looking for the best combi boiler for a 3 bedroom house, why not go for an appliance that’s super stylish, lightweight and compact? The Vogue Max Combi is a premium model that uses the best components available and features a market-leading warranty that could keep you covered for up to 12 years.

A Boiler for a Large Semi-Detached or Detached House

So what about larger homes? Let’s picture a detached house with 4 bedrooms, a bath and more than one shower. There’ll likely be plenty of space available and quite possibly several people who all need to use the hot water first thing each morning.

In this case, you may decide on a heat only boiler, a popular choice for larger households. No doubt you’ll be looking for a boiler that’s high quality, durable and doesn’t take up too much space. The Logic Max Heat fits the bill here, with its hard wearing design and 10 year warranty.

Find Your Ideal Boiler Today 

Whether you’re looking for the best combi boiler for a 4 bedroom house or the perfect system boiler for a 2 bedroom flat, we can help you identify the best options for your circumstances.

To find the model that’s a perfect fit for your home, try our handy, easy-to-use Find My New Boiler tool. It takes you step by step through the process, narrowing down your search depending on your type of property and the number of bedrooms, baths and showers in your home.

You’ll find further central heating advice in our FAQs and more in-depth guides on our blog.