When choosing the right boiler for your detached house, you need to first think about the size of the house. For example, is it a three-bedroom house, four-bedroom house, or larger house? Answering this initial question will help you decide the boiler size and type needed. At Warmable, we’ve asked all the important questions for you to help you decide the best boiler for your detached house.
What Size Boiler Do I Need For A Detached House?
Detached houses in the UK tend to have at least three bedrooms and at least two bathrooms. The general rule of thumb is that the bigger your house, the more power your boiler will need to have. This is because it will need to accommodate more people and thus more taps and more radiators – likely at the same time.
When we speak about boiler size we are speaking about its output (measured in kilowatts – kW). So, the bigger your house, the higher kW output will be needed to keep it cosy and warm. A general rule followed by our Warmable boiler experts is to allow 1.5kW per radiator in the house. Thus, if you have 15 radiators, you should have a boiler size of at least 23kW. If you have fewer than 10-15 radiators in your home, you can also look at our best boilers for a three-bed house guide.
For every radiator, you should have around 1.5kW of output
For large homes, you will need a boiler with around 30-40kW of output power to accommodate multiple radiators and hot water outlets at once.
Unsure which boiler is right for you? Set up a free consultation with a boiler professional today.
What Boiler Type Do I Need For A Detached House?
If you are trying to heat a detached house, we recommend a system boiler or powerful combi boilers – especially for larger houses with multiple bathrooms.
System Boilers
These boilers are ideal for a larger detached house as they are designed to accommodate medium to large homes with multiple bathrooms. System boilers rely on a separate hot water storage cylinder but, unlike some other boiler types, they don’t need a cold water tank as they get water directly from the mains.
System boilers can provide hot water to multiple taps at once and, when combined with an unvented system, can offer even greater power and efficiency. However, system boilers are relatively large and take up more space for installation.
Combi Boilers
Combi boilers are used by around 80% of UK households due to their relatively low installation costs and efficiency. They provide both hot water and central heating from one single unit, rather than relying on separate cylinders or tanks. As a result, they are compact and less demanding when it comes to installation.
When it comes to heating your detached house with a combi boiler, it will depend greatly on the size. For large homes with multiple bathrooms, combi boilers may find it difficult to carry hot water to multiple taps at the same time. Combi boilers tend to be more effective in smaller homes that have a lower demand for hot water.
For a combi boiler to effectively heat a larger house (e.g. 4 bedrooms or more), it will ideally need a central heating output of around 26-32kW and a domestic hot water output of around 30-33kW). As a result, combi boilers need to be more powerful and work harder than other boiler types to achieve similar heat output in larger houses.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Boiler For A Detached House
Choosing the right boiler for your detached home will depend on a range of factors. These factors will not only affect the initial price you will pay for your boiler, but the running costs in the long term. Certain factors can make your boiler more expensive.
Boiler size – as commented already, a large detached house will need a sufficiently powerful boiler. For combis this will be around 26-32kW whereas for system boilers this will be lower – around 18-26kW.
Efficiency – The more energy efficient your boiler, the less fuel it will use in order to generate heat. This means that higher efficiency will result in lower running costs in the long run. An ErP rating of 90% and higher is considered efficient.
Warranty – when you first buy your boiler, it will come with a warranty from the manager. This is a guarantee of how long the boiler should last and a promise to repair it or replace it if there are problems within a given time. Make sure to choose a boiler with a long warranty as it could save you money on repairs in the long run.
Price – regarding boiler price, you should think about both the cost of the boiler and the cost of the installation. Running costs could also help you make a decision.
Closing Thoughts
Choosing a boiler for your detached house will ultimately depend on the size of your home including how many bedrooms, bathrooms and radiators. Larger homes will likely need more power and may benefit from a system boiler rather than a combi boiler. Comparing boilers can be a drag – let our experts at Warmable do the hard work for you. Why not get a quote today and find the best prices in your local area?
