St Margarets plumber

Loads of confusion here. Computers have nothing on central heating when it comes to unexplained jargon. 

Here are four general types of boilers you're likely to hear mentioned by heating engineers:

• Condensing boilers
• Combi boilers
• Regular boilers
• System boilers

 Condensing boilers:

 Condensing boilers are type of boiler that extract more of the heat energy in the gas (or oil, or any other fuel) than non-condensing boilers and turn it into useable heat to warm your home with. This means they burn less gas for the same amount of heating, leading to slightly lower fuel bills and slightly less carbon dioxide emitted by the boiler into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is generally acknowledged to be a "greenhouse gas major contributor" and is linked to 'global warming'. Condensing boilers have now been made compulsory by the Building Regulations (with a few limited exceptions) when you replace a domestic central heating boiler. 

Combi boilers:

Combi boilers are just that, combination boiler (on demand hot water and heating, no tanks) You do NOT have to fit a combi boiler under the Building Regulations, but you DO have to fit a condensing boiler. Combi boilers heat the hot tap water as it is used. When a hot tap is turned on, the tap water flows directly through the boiler, the gas flames light and heat the water on its way to the hot tap. In contrast, non-combi boilers heat s hot water tank and store it ready for use later.

Installers often recommend combi boilers because they are quicker, cheaper and easier to fit than non-combis, mainly because here are no tanks to supply and fit in the loft or airing cupboard. It is often not mentioned that they are also more complex and prone to breakdown than non-combi boilers.

System boilers:

System boilers are heat only boiler that have other components, hence than name "system". In normal domestic setting you will find a boiler, hot water tank and cold-water source of kind. System boilers are more complex than combi boiler, come in variety of set-up. Simply put, gravity type boiler is used where water pressure is low, unvented type is used where water pressure is adequate, and water flow meets required amount. 

Regular boilers:

 The expression 'Regular Boiler' just means a non-condensing boiler. Please note that it is very rear that you can buy regular boiler these days. if at all.