How to Get the Right Boiler Size?
Buying a boiler is one thing but getting the right size is another. When it comes to boilers, you have a vast range of options. You can get those which run on natural gas if you are connected to the national grid. They are by far the most efficient and affordable ones when it comes to running costs and providing heat. Then you have the option of boilers which run on LPG, liquefied petroleum gas. Or you can choose between electric boilers and oil-based boilers. Regardless of which one you get, it is also important to get them in the right size otherwise you will either be wasting too much energy or trying to meet your hot water requirements. Whether you want Boiler Installation Surbiton or in London, estimating your requirements will save your energy costs.
Size of the Central Heating System
If you have a water-based central heating system installed at your home, your water requirement is going to be much higher. The central heating system uses radiators to heat your rooms and it gets that heat from hot water. The hot water comes from your boiler. The higher the number of radiators, the larger the hot water requirement. A large size home with twenty radiators will require a boiler which is at least 35 to 42 kW. For an average size home which has ten radiators, a boiler size of 24 to 30 kW will be adequate. However, your central heating system is not the only consumer of hot water and you need to consider other factors as well for selecting the right size boiler.
Property Size and Number of Bathrooms
The larger the property and the higher the number of bathrooms, the greater will be the requirement for hot water. If your hot water usage is high, you will need a much bigger boiler. Conventional boilers are the largest of all types. The fact that they have separate storage tanks for hot and cold water makes them highly suitable for large homes and a higher number of radiators. Conventional boilers require a much larger installation space primarily because of these storage tanks. However, they always have hot water ready to be dispensed. System boilers are more suitable for medium to large homes. They are relatively modern and highly effective. Combi boilers or combination boilers are the smallest among all boilers. They can only provide water to a single unit such as one bathroom or kitchen. They provide hot water in an instant without wasting any energy. They supply a low volume of hot water and are suitable for small properties such as apartments. So if you are looking for Boiler Installation Acton consider all the choices before you make a decision.
Heat Loss
Households and commercial properties should do their best to ensure minimum heat loss. If you have a large home with several bathrooms and radiators, heat loss will also be greater. Hot water has to flow from a series of pipes before it makes its way to your kitchen, bathrooms, and radiators. Although insulation will reduce heat loss it cannot eliminate it. Combi boilers are considered an exception when it comes to heat loss, however, they only work well when a relatively smaller volume of hot water is required. To minimize heat loss in your Boiler Installation Surbiton, you can hire the services of a boiler engineer.
Check out Online Calculators
Many sites have a complete online calculator which can help you decide which size of boiler is most suitable for you. You enter basic information such as the number of bathrooms, radiators, area, etc and the calculator provides you with an estimate of the recommended boiler size. However, please remember to keep other factors in mind such as your water usage, your climate, and family size.
Get Expert Help
Sometimes it is best to let professionals do their job. The best way to get a precise estimate of your water requirements and therefore the recommended boiler size is to consult a professional boiler engineer. You can find many in the gas safe register. The boiler engineer will inspect your property, check your radiators, bathrooms, etc and also try to measure your probable heat loss. It is always best to get a boiler slightly larger than your water requirement.
