Temperatures in London tend to drop drastically during the winters. Even during the summers, the nights are relatively cool. Many people use boilers and water heaters for their comfort in the city. A standard boiler is essentially a closed vessel that is used to store water. It has a burner or a heater located at one end that can heat up the water. Even though the name states otherwise, the water inside the boiler doesn’t have to necessarily boil. Most boilers are fitted with a thermostat that you can use in order to set the temperature of the water according to your preferences.
There are several types of boilers that most people can buy in London. Gas powered boilers are the most common. Not only are they affordable, but gas powered boilers do not impact your utility bills as much. The other kind of boiler that many people use is the electric boiler. The electric boiler has coils fitted around the vessel, which heat up when current passes through them. However, over the past few years, solar powered water heaters and boilers have really risen in popularity. As more people have begun to realise the harmful impact humans are having on the environment, a number of initiatives have been taken up by many private and government organisations.
Solar powered energy is clean, renewable and does not harm the environment at all. Solar panels installed on the roof are used to harness the energy of the sun. This energy is then stored in batteries that can provide electricity to your house, and heat the water in the boiler.
Solar powered boilers are very easy to maintain as well. You don’t have to worry about spending money on repairs at all. In fact, many companies that sell solar powered boilers provide a comprehensive warranty with every product. In case something goes wrong or the boiler stops functioning properly, just call in the company. Given the fact that the industry is currently on the way up, many companies even offer warranties that cover the costs of labour and parts as well. Getting the boiler repaired won’t cost you a thing!
However, if you are in the market for a new boiler, there are many things that you need to know. Boilers come in many shapes and sizes. Some can be placed vertically parallel to a wall, while others need to be kept horizontal, thus requiring more space. If you are wondering what type of boiler you should buy for your house, here are a few things that you should consider first.
Type of Boiler
The first thing that you need to decide is the type of boiler you want to buy. As mentioned above, the three most common types of boilers you can choose from include electric, gas and solar-powered boilers. Each of them has their own advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a brief look at all three.
Gas powered boilers are the most common kinds of boilers that you can find in the market. They are easy to maintain, don’t cost a lot when it comes to repair work, and most importantly, won’t impact your utility bills much. Gas powered boilers can be installed within a couple of hours at most. All you need is a dedicated gas pipeline connected to the boiler. The boiler has a burner located underneath the vessel. When you light up the pilot, the thermostat will determine the temperature of water.
If the water temperature falls within the satisfactory range, the flame won’t ignite. However, if the temperature falls below a minimum threshold (depending upon your thermostat setting), the boiler will automatically send a spark to the flame, thus igniting it under the vessel. Then, when the temperature rises into the satisfactory range, the boiler will automatically shut itself down.
Another kind of boiler that you can choose is the electric powered boiler. However, the first thing you need to know about electric powered boilers is that they are expensive. The boiler market isn’t exactly cheap, but if price is your primary concern when making a purchase, you should know that electric powered boilers aren’t the lowest-priced option in the market. In fact, they are considerably more expensive than gas powered boilers.
However, electric powered boilers are very easy to install. While some boilers require a dedicated electric connection, others are even simpler: just plug the wire into a socket and you are good to go. Most electric powered boilers have a digital thermostat that gives you an accurate reading of the temperature. You can set the temperature levels by using the buttons on the console.
As mentioned before, electrically powered heaters use heating coils in order to warm the temperature levels. However, with the passage of time, the efficiency of the coils installed in the heater will decrease sharply. When you install a brand new electric powered boiler, the boiler seems to heat up the water inside within a matter of minutes. But with the passage of time, the amount of time that the boiler takes will begin to increase sharply. As efficiency ratings decrease, the boiler will use more energy in order to heat up the same amount of water.
Solar powered boilers use the rays of the sun in order to generate electricity. These boilers are now becoming very common and popular amongst homeowners throughout London. Many companies that offer Boiler Installation in London also sell different types of boilers to their customers.
Solar powered boilers are commonly purchased in houses where people don’t have to worry about utility bills. Since the boiler uses the electricity derived from the rays of the sun, it doesn’t add to your monthly utility bills. The boiler keeps the water warm in the vessel using the heat generated from the rays of the sun.
However, solar powered boilers are the most expensive types of boilers amongst all three variants. Many consider it to be a one-time expense, however. Once the boiler has been installed in your house, you don’t need to pay a single penny for its maintenance.
There are many reputable brands that you can choose from as well. There are certain household names in the industry that are famous for offering top of the line quality and service to their clients. The market is inundated with local and international names at different shops. You should read reviews about the different types of boilers and then decide on the best model based on your requirements.
Certain boilers are quite finicky and may require more maintenance than others. Reading reviews left by other boiler owners will give you an idea about the longevity and durability of the boiler, thus making it easy to determine whether your money is being invested in the right product. There are several things that you need to know about getting the boiler installed in the house as well. Here are a few tips that you should keep in mind:
Place the Boiler in a Spot That’s Easy to Access
There’s no need to place the boiler on a ledge that’s very difficult to reach. One of the first things that you should keep in mind when getting your boiler installed is to have it installed in an easily accessible area, such as the roof. You can’t just turn the boiler on and forget about it completely. You will need to tinker with the thermostat in order to set the water temperature just right based on the weather in the city.
Furthermore, if you have a gas powered boiler, the flame may get extinguished due to strong winds. You might have to re-ignite the burner after every few days. This may be difficult to do, especially if the boiler isn’t situated in an easily accessible spot.
Cover the Boiler
Another important tip that you need to keep in mind, especially if the boiler is placed on top of the roof, is to cover it. You can use a steel covering and get it installed on top of the boiler in order to prevent harmful atmospheric elements from getting in direct contact with the boiler.
Rain and snow can cause corrosion in the tank, thus reducing the lifespan of your boiler significantly. You should keep the boiler covered in order to prevent any sort of damage to the electrical functions and wiring used in the boiler.
Free Installation
Many companies also offer free installation if you buy the boiler directly from them. Ideally, this is the best option. Once you buy the boiler, the company will bear the cost of delivering the boiler to your place, carry it to the spot where it needs to be installed and then fix it in place. They won’t charge you anything for all the work that was done! Before buying any boiler, ask the company whether it offers free installation.