The combi boiler is the powerhouse of the average modern-day home. For decades, it has been the go-to system for powering central heating and heated water, servicing radiators and faucets from a single point. They replaced notoriously inefficient boiler systems that relied on capacious hot water tanks for supply.
With new alternatives to gas boiler systems coming in, there are many confused homeowners wondering what is best for their home – and taking some common misconceptions about combi boilers along with them. Here are three of the biggest myths relating to combi boilers, and the truth behind them.
Myth #1: Hot Water Takes Longer to Reach the Taps
The first of these common and pervasive myths relating to combi boilers in the home is that hot water takes longer to reach the taps. This was somewhat true at the beginning of the combi boiler generation, as a result of the essential operating principles of the combi boiler – it directly heats water from the mains supply, as opposed to pre-heating a separate tank of hot water stored elsewhere in the home.
However, modern combi boiler designs are much more efficient than the boilers of times gone by, and also come equipped with a pre-heat function that allows near-instant access to hot water at the touch of a tap. This is much more efficient even than older tank-based hot water delivery systems, as well as much more cost-effective.
Myth #2 – Combi Boilers are Unsuitable for Larger Homes
Here is another hangover from the early days of combi boiler roll-out. Initially, combi boiler design centred around the number of radiators in a home, and took into account the size of a pre-existing water tank. Early ones were unable to service larger properties alone, in the same way that tank-based systems were.
Today, though, combi boilers are designed to service homes of all sizes, and a single one can capably service multiple bathrooms and utility spaces without issue. Besides, even larger and older boiler systems were inadequate at servicing large homes, where an empty hot water tank would take days to refill and heat up to temperature.
Myth #3 – There is No Backup for a Failed Combi Boiler
There have been many horror stories circling about boiler failures and long waiting times in recent years. Many opinions on the combi boiler as a system have been formed around these stories, which in fact detail failings in maintenance personnel. Still, there is rhyme to the reason here; one of the main failings attributed to combi boiler systems is that there is no backup if they fail.
This holds true for smaller combi boilers and conventional set-ups, wherein there is no hot water tank on which to rely. However, newer combi boilers with the same ‘limitations’ are supported by generous warranty terms, ensuring that repairs are swift and cost-free in a wide number of scenarios.