How does a combi boiler heating system work?
Combi boilers work by signalling a sensor once you’ve requested hot water which tells the boiler to burn fuel (whether gas, electric or oil). The heat exchanger then gets hot enough to heat the water when it flows over it. The control valves within combi boilers work in different directions to one another.
What number should my combi boiler be on?
Most modern boilers will have a digital dial that allows you to set the output temperature. For combi boilers, the recommended output temperature for the radiators is 75 °C and for the water is between 50 °C and 60 °C. You shouldn’t need to adjust these output temperatures as you may alter the boiler’s efficiency.
Can I have a power shower with a combi boiler?
Unfortunately, power showers are incompatible with combi boilers. Power showers take their water supply from a hot water cylinder, which is an external tank only found in homes with a system or regular boiler.
Should I turn my combi boiler off at night?
It’s true that boilers do turn on from time to time during the night. Combi boilers work best when the heat exchanger inside is kept warm, so it will need “topping up” a few times overnight to make sure you have instant hot water when you need it.
Should radiators be too hot to touch?
Are hot radiators unsafe? There’s radiators that get hot enough to adequately heat the room and then there’s radiators that are too hot to touch and pumping out far too much heat. If your radiators are too hot to the touch then this is of concern, especially if you have young children.
What is the alternative to a combi boiler?
Solar thermal panels are worth considering as a gas boiler alternative. These eco-friendly systems absorb heat from the sun in solar collectors, which are fitted to your roof. The heated fluid is then transferred to your hot water tank, where it’s ready to use.