Heating oil boilers typically last for 15 to 20 years – or maybe more if properly maintained and regularly serviced which can extend boiler lifespans. But as with anything, they don’t last forever. Sure signs your boiler isn’t performing properly and may need replacing include frequent breakdowns or repairs, inconsistent heating, or if your boiler is struggling to reach the set temperature, which increases energy bills as your boiler loses efficiency. If your boiler is showing such signs, it’s probably a good time to consider replacing it with a new one.
Replacing your heating oil boiler is a major expense which can be overwhelming, especially in these current times. And whilst the good news is that new boilers are significantly more efficient so lower fuel bills will help offset the upfront cost over time, it's important to choose carefully and know what to look for when replacing your boiler. In this blog, we’re going to look at what you need to know when replacing your boiler, with insights from the experts at Northern Energy.
Types of heating oil boilers – your choices
There are several things to consider when choosing a new boiler, such as the size of your home, how much hot water you use, how much space is available, and compatibility with your heating system. So, let’s take a look at some of the different types of heating oil boilers.
Oil combi boilers:
Short for combination boilers, these run on heating oil – the heat produced from burning oil heats water from the mains supply which is used to run your central heating system and supply you with hot water.
Combi boilers provide instant hot water and are generally smaller than most other types of boilers, so they take up less space than traditional boiler systems. In addition, other than the heating oil storage tank, they don’t require a hot water cylinder or cold water storage tank, meaning they are often less expensive to install than other options.
Ideally suited to smaller properties where there’s not much available space, they’re less suitable, however, for larger houses or those with multiple bathrooms, as the ‘on-demand’ feature doesn’t work as well when hot water is needed in multiple rooms. They’re also not suitable for houses with low water pressure.
Conventional oil boilers:
In addition to the boiler itself, combination boilers, also known as heat-only boilers, require a hot water storage cylinder to store hot water and supply it to taps and showers as and when needed, and a cold water tank, often stored in lofts, which feeds cold water to the hot water cylinder and maintains system pressure.
Conventional boilers burn heating oil to heat water in a closed system. They can supply hot water to multiple bathrooms at the same time without any significant drop in pressure, providing a steady hot water flow.
Installation costs can be higher than with combi boilers due to the requirement for tanks, piping and additional plumbing. Plus combination boilers can be less efficient. However, they’re a good choice for older, larger properties, or if you’re planning to integrate with renewable energy sources.
Condensing oil boilers:
A condensing boiler can be a conventional boiler or a combi boiler, but uses a second heat exchanger to capture and reuse heat that would otherwise be lost. They convert water vapour condensation into heat with advanced burner technology.
This makes them extremely efficient, achieving efficiencies of over 90% and lowering heating oil usage, and also more environmentally friendly - so a good choice for those wishing to lower their environmental impact.
How much does a new boiler cost?
According to The Eco Experts, a new heating oil boiler will cost you between £1,700 and £6,500 or £4,700 on average.
Costs vary depending on the size of the boiler required, the manufacturer, installation costs, and whether you’re replacing the whole system. A combi boiler, for instance, may be more expensive than other types of boiler, but overall may be cheaper as it doesn’t require a hot and cold water tank.
The important thing to consider is getting the right output for the size of your home – an undersized and underpowered boiler will struggle to keep your home warm. And with an overpowered boiler, you could be spending significantly more money than you need. The size of boiler you require will be largely determined by the number of rooms in your house, the number of bathrooms, and the number of radiators. An OFTEC-registered heating oil technician will advise you of the best solution for your individual needs.
In addition, The Energy Savings Trust would recommend you get at least three quotes from different installers.
Other options explored
Whilst households living off-grid do not have the option of heating their homes with natural gas, there are plenty of other choices to consider. So, if your heating oil boiler has come to the end of its life, you don’t have to swap it for a like-for like new heating oil boiler. Let’s explore what else is available.
Electric boilers are typically cheaper than heating oil boilers, and are a greener choice as no fossil fuels are burnt. However, they are typically more expensive to run and can struggle to meet high demand for hot water and heating in larger homes.
Another option is heat pumps which extract heat from the air or the ground and use it to provide heating and hot water. They are extremely reliable and environmentally friendly, but they do come with some downsides and can struggle to provide the same consistent heat output as with other fuel sources. Often, high upfront home improvements such as insulation, and installing larger radiators and underfloor heating are needed to achieve the same level of warmth and comfort.
Then there’s LPG, (liquid petroleum gas). As the closest alternative to mains gas, it's an excellent choice for off-grid households. Whilst like heating oil, LPG is derived from fossil fuels, it is a more environmentally friendly option, with fewer pollutants and virtually no particulate matter. It’s also a highly efficient and versatile fuel that can be used for cooking in addition to providing heating and hot water. Plus new LPG boilers cost significantly less than heating oil boilers, and usually take up less space as well.
Whatever you decide, we’re here to help. If you would like help and advice on choosing the best boiler for your home, whether it’s a heating oil boiler or you're considering converting to LPG, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Call us on 01423 770 666.