DO BOILERS STILL MAKE SENSE?
We explain what you need to know about mains gas boilers, as well as delving into what the future holds for this form of home heating
Worcester Bosch’s (
www.worcester-bosch.co.uk) Greenstar 4000 is Quiet Mark certified as a lownoise appliance. Like all of their boilers, this model is able to run on a 20% hydrogen blend
The conventional gas-fed boiler still functions as the primary heat source in most UK homes. This familiar, user-friendly appliance works with both radiator and underfloor heating systems, and it can be paired with intelligent controls to help maximise efficiency. Deciding on the right model for your property comes down to its size, how many people are living there and the building fabric’s thermal efficiency. However, self builders should be aware that, as of 2025, it may no longer be possible to fit a gas boiler in a new house.
The main options boil down to three types: regular, system and combination (combi). Each differs in how they provide domestic hot water for taps, showers and other essential fittings. “A regular boiler takes cold water from your mains supply and stores it in a tank, ready to be heated,” says Mark Wilkins, technologies and training director at Vaillant. “So, cold water is fed into the cylinder, where your boiler heats it and stores it until it’s needed.” Able to supply multiple outlets at once, regular boilers were once the go-to option for bigger homes – but they need space, requiring an expansion vessel in the loft.