Your guide to regular boilers.
What is a regular (a.k.a conventional or heat only) boiler?
Regular boilers are also known as conventional boilers or heat only boilers. They are one of the most powerful heating systems for your home, but also one of the largest. On top of the boiler itself, they require a hot water cylinder and a water tank.
Is a regular boiler suitable for your home?
Get answers to this and more with our short video guide.
How do regular boilers work?
Regular boiler systems use a heat exchanger to heat water supplied from a cold water tank in the loft. The heated water is then stored in the hot water storage cylinder - ready to be pumped through your central heating or directly to your taps.
Water from your mains supply is collected inside the tank and uses gravity to flow into the cylinder, rather than your mains water pressure.
There are two types of regular boiler:
Open vented boilers
Open vent systems have an unsealed pipe over an F&E tank (feed and expansion tank) to relieve pressure from your central heating system when it is being used. Since these tanks are open to the air it is recommended that they are cleaned once in a while to prevent erosion and debris.
Sealed system boilers
Sealed system boilers have an expansion tank instead of an F&E tank, which is enclosed with a valve to release additional pressure. Unvented systems are often cleaner and more efficient than open vent systems. However, they may not suit your home if you have older radiators.
How do regular boilers compare to system or combi boilers?
Take a look at the key differences between each and find the right boiler type for you.
What are the advantages of getting a regular boiler?
They are a good option for homes:
In areas of low water pressure as the water pressure is generated through gravity.
That regularly use multiple taps and showers at once, such as houses with multiple bathrooms, as water is pre-heated and stored ready for use.
With old radiators and pipes that may be damaged by high mains water pressure.
With solar panels, which can be connected to help heat your hot water, saving you money on your fuel bills.
How much does it cost to install a regular boiler?
Regular boilers can vary in price depending on how powerful you need them to be. Our boiler bundles start from £2,495, and can come complete with helpful add-ons, such as CO alarms and smart thermostats. There are regular boiler models available in both our Worcester Bosch and our Ideal boiler ranges. No matter what you pick, you will get a professional installation from E.ON at no extra cost.
How much do regular boilers cost to run?
Running costs depend on how much you use your heating and hot water, and the energy efficiency of your boiler. To reduce your running costs, try to pick a regular boiler with the right power for your home. More powerful can be more expensive, but if your boiler is not powerful enough it may not provide enough hot water to meet your needs.
Whether you have a regular, system, or combi boiler, the more you use your central heating and hot water, the higher your bills will be. To help save more money on your fuel bills, try upgrading to a more energy efficient model.
Why choose a Worcester Bosch Greenstar boiler?
The UK’s favourite boilers.
Worcester Bosch is the UK’s market-leading domestic boiler brand - helping to heat our homes for more than 50 years.
Powerful and efficient.
Choose from our range of Worcester Bosch Greenstar boilers. A-rated and up to 94% efficient, they could help you waste less fuel and save on your energy bills.
Awarded Best Buy by Which?
Our most popular model, the Greenstar 4000 combi, is a leading Which? Best Buy. The Greenstar range uses advanced technology to create powerful boiler systems with modern designs to suit your home’s needs.
Four simple steps to get your new efficient boiler installed.
1. Find the right regular boiler for you.
Simply pick the model that’s right for your home from our range of energy efficient boilers and get a no obligation quote online.
2. Book your boiler installation.
Select a time that suits you for a professional boiler installation by E.ON at no extra cost.
3. Get your boiler installed.
Leave it to us. We’ll remove your old boiler and flush your system as part of your new boiler installation. Then, once we’re done, we’ll show you how it all works.
4. Post-installation support.
Once you're up and running, we're always here to help with repairs or boiler parts. For some extra peace of mind, try adding HomeServe boiler cover.
Introducing the Worcester Bosch Greenstar range.
Take a look around our range of high efficiency Worcester Bosch boilers and heat your home your way.
Greenstar 8000 Life Regular
Greenstar Ri (9kW to 24kW)
Greenstar Ri (27kW and 30kW)
Greenstar CDi FS Regular
What size regular boiler do I need?
Here’s a quick guide to help you decide.
1-2 bedroom homes need roughly 12-18kWs.
3-4 bedroom homes need roughly 28-34kWs.
5+ bedroom homes usually need 35kWs or more.
Ultimately, your boiler size will need to meet your hot water and central heating output, which usually increases with house size. For every radiator in your home you generally need 1-2kWs of power.
Are there any disadvantages to regular boilers?
Like all boilers, there are pros and cons to getting a regular boiler, so they will suit some homes better than others.
Loft space is required for the cold water tank.
An airing cupboard (or alternative space) will be needed for the hot water cylinder.
At very busy times, if the cylinder is emptied, you will need to wait around an hour for more to be heated.
We recommend adding insulation to your cylinder.
Your questions answered.
Should I change my regular boiler to a combi boiler?
If you currently have a regular boiler there are a few situations where you may want to consider changing for a more compact combi boiler.
You want to save space - especially loft space.
You do not often use two or more hot taps or showers at the same time.
You often use hot water for long periods of time, causing your tank to empty.
You have replaced old plumbing with new pipework that will not be damaged by high mains water pressure.
How energy efficient are regular boilers?
Modern boilers, whether regular, system or combi, now use condensing technology to reduce fuel waste and improve their energy efficiency. Currently, condenser boilers are capable of reaching more than 90% fuel efficiency.
Does a regular boiler heat water?
Your regular boiler heats water from your mains water supply for your hot taps, showers and also your heating. They are usually gas boilers, but you can get regular boilers that use alternate fuels to heat your water.
Get £150 off a new boiler.
Did you know? Heating and hot water make up over half of your annual energy bill. Upgrading to a new energy efficient boiler could save you up to £540 on your fuel bill each year.^
Get more out of your energy. T&Cs apply.
Get a new boiler^ Savings information for boilers in the UK provided by the Energy Saving Trust, based on a semi-detached house with a boiler rating of G.