Finding the best Combi boiler for your home
If you’re looking for a new Combi boiler but don’t know which one to choose, you may feel unsure where to start. That’s why we created our easy to use Boiler Finder. This interactive tool asks you a series of questions, breaking down the process into small steps to take the guesswork out of choosing a new boiler. To choose the most suitable new Combi for your home, simply work your way through the questions and select “Combi boiler” when you reach the “What type of boiler do you require?” question.
If you’re keen to understand how the tool works and how it decides which type of boiler is best for you, then you’re in the right place. Read on to find out why we ask you these questions, how your answers influence the model we recommend, and ultimately, which Combi boiler is the right fit for your home.
Is a Combi boiler suitable for your home?
Like any heating system, Combi boilers are more suitable for certain household sizes and demands. So before you dive straight in and search for a new Combi boiler, make sure your home satisfies the following criteria:
You live in an area with normal or high water pressure.
You don’t often need to use several hot water appliances (sink, bath, shower) at the same time.
You can have a boiler fitted so it’s less than 20 metres away from the furthest bath, shower, or sink.
Answered ‘yes’ to all of these questions? So far, so good - it sounds like a Combi could be the ideal model for you. (Unsure what a Combi is? Our article explains everything you need to know: What is a Combi boiler?)
Let’s look at the other factors our Boiler Finder tool takes into consideration when helping you select the best one for your home.
What you need to consider to find the best Combi boiler
Type of heating solution
The options
The first question our Boiler Finder tool will ask you is about the type of heating solution you’re looking for. There’s only two options, heat pump or boiler, so this one’s pretty straightforward!
Why we ask
Heat pumps and boilers are two completely different ways of providing central heating and hot water to a home. Each has its own advantages and demands, which impact suitability for your home. Understand the difference between the two and which is more appropriate for you by reading our article: Heat pump vs gas boiler: Which is right for you?
Property type
The options
Next, we need to know what sort of property you live in. You’ll be asked to decide between a detached house, a semi-detached house, a terraced house, a bungalow and a flat.
Why we ask
The size of your home has a direct impact on which type of boiler is best suited to your central heating and hot water needs. The smaller the property, the less powerful your boiler needs to be, and vice versa. Although a Combi boiler uses mains pressure to deliver hot water, you may still notice a drop-off in pressure if the boiler is too small for your home. Also, the longer the pipework between your boiler and your taps, the longer you’ll have to wait for hot water when you turn them on.
Property type is also a useful indicator of available space for a heating system. Combis are ideal for homes where space is limited, as they don’t require a separate water cylinder or tank which takes up valuable room. However, a Combi might not be powerful enough to supply water to multiple rooms at the same time in a large home. A System or Heat Only boiler may be more suitable here.
Number of bedrooms
The options
Next up, we look at how many bedrooms you have: 1, 2, 3, or 4 or more.
Why we ask
This gives us two indications: what the demand placed on the central heating system will be, and roughly how many people live in the home. Both of these factors feed into the choice, as they determine the power and size your boiler will need to be. For example, if you have a large family, it’s more likely there will be simultaneous hot water demands - and the best new boiler for your home might not be a Combi. But if you have one or two bedrooms and live alone or with one other person, a Combi’s power, size, and other advantages are likely to make it the perfect fit.
Use our Combi boiler size guide to understand the power yours needs. You can also find information about sizes of other types of boilers in our article: What size boiler do I need?
Number of bathrooms
The options
After bedrooms, it’s onto finding out how many bathrooms you have: 1, 2 or 3 or more.
Why we ask
Most households have one bathroom, which is ideal for a Combi - it’s able to provide a single shower or bath with hot water at a high pressure. But if you have more than one bathroom, you need to feel confident that you can use them at the same time. Two baths running at the same time would be asking a lot of even the best Combi boiler - and in this case, the best fit may be a System boiler or conventional Heat Only boiler.
Top tip for using our Boiler Finder tool: If your home has two baths or showers but you rarely use them both at the same time, select “1” as your answer.
How many showers do you have?
The options
We’re getting a better picture of your property and your household’s needs, and now we’d like to know how many self-contained showers you have: 0, 1, or 2+. If you have a shower that runs directly from your bath-tap mixer, discount it for the purposes of this question. Additionally, if you have an electric shower, ignore it - as it doesn’t run on gas, it has nothing to do with finding the best Combi boiler for your property.
Why we ask
We need to know how many self-contained shower units you have that run from the boiler. Like baths, if you have several showers running simultaneously, it will put a greater demand on the boiler. You could find the water comes out at lower pressure and temperature than you would like. Learn more about what makes a Combi particularly suitable for a single shower property in our article: Are Combi boilers best for showers?
Top tip for using our Boiler Finder tool: If you have a house with several shower units but only ever use one at a time, select “1”.
Boiler preference
The options
It’s the penultimate question, and it’s a big one! Would you prefer a System, Heat Only, or Combi boiler?
Why we ask
Different types of boiler all come with their pros and cons, which you may have been aware of already. (If not, check out our article: The difference between Combi, Heat Only and System boilers.) The main pros of a Combi model is that it provides instant hot water without heating water unnecessarily - Combis only heat the water that’s needed and used. This means a Combi boiler doesn’t require separate storage for water, making them a compact option that’s ideal for smaller properties.
As a rule, larger households with multiple bathrooms and occupants are better served by a System or Heat Only boiler, as they can deliver hot water to multiple outputs (taps, showers, baths) at the same time.
Fuel type
The options
The final question asks about the type of fuel your boiler uses, with two options for your answer: Natural gas and LPG (bottled gas).
Why we ask
The majority of households in the UK are supplied with natural gas, i.e. mains gas, so they rely on gas boilers. However, some isolated buildings are not connected to the gas network, so they require gas to be delivered in LPG (liquid petroleum gas) bottles. Your gas supply will influence the type of boiler you can have in your property.
The results
That’s all the questions answered, so you’ll now be presented with various boiler options based on the facts and figures you’ve given the tool. As we’re focusing on Combis here, let’s assume this comes out as the recommended model. The tool will give you the different Combi boilers from Ideal Heating that will cope best with your property type and household size. You’ll be provided with an overview of each model at this stage (like warranties, efficiency ratings, appearance etc), but please make sure you have a closer look at the full specifications before choosing and ordering your new system.
Additional consideration: Boiler controls and accessories
You’ve narrowed down the Combi models, but before arranging its installation, have a think about how it’s controlled. Your options will depend on the boiler you’ve chosen, but typically you’ll be able to choose between different types of timer, manual connection thermostat, and mobile-connected devices.
How your boiler is controlled is a vital part of your central heating system, as it will instruct the boiler to fire up to get your home warm. At its simplest, it’s just a thermostat that detects room temperature, turning on and off if it’s colder or hotter than your chosen setting.
Modern systems are connected to the internet via your Wi-Fi, and you can turn the heating on and off wherever you are – handy if you’re about to set off for home from work on a wintry day, but don’t want the heating to be on all day long.
Ultimately, which controls and accessories you go for are your choice. The simpler solutions cost less, but the modern ones give you more flexibility to help you keep your home at the ideal temperature.
Compare the different controls and accessories you can use with your new boiler by heading to our heating controls page.
Ready to find the best Combi for your home?
So, what are you waiting for? Have a go with our boiler finder to see which models are appropriate for your home. Before placing your order, it’s always a good idea to speak with a professional installer about your choice, as they’ll be able to confirm if you’ve found the right one for your needs. You can also give our support team a call - we’re more than happy to talk you through all of your options.
