The Heating Trends with the most energy efficient outlook for 2018

The demand for energy efficient heating methods in the UK has grown massively in recent years. A good thing for the environment and a good thing, generally, for lowering the cost of heating bills - but is it a good thing for installers?

Enter the combi boiler, the go-to option for the new build market. It accounts for well over half of the number of boilers being installed across the UK and is by far the favourite choice for developers. Why? Well, it’s not only down to its overall energy efficiency, which is increased when combined with underfloor heating, but also due to its compact size. And, perhaps more importantly the amount of money developers are able to save on installation costs because of its space-saving design.

Across large European cities, we are seeing the redevelopment of tiny living spaces, usually reserved for student rooms or offices, being turned into micro apartments. Their rise in popularity, particularly in expensive larger cities like London, is down to factors such as soaring housing costs and the increased need for central property. In these spaces the combi boiler makes the perfect addition. It too has been designed with size in mind, and savvy heating manufacturers know that only the smallest boilers will fit into these pint size living spaces. 

The installation of a combi boiler is also simpler than a traditional system, mainly because there is no water tank or cylinder in the loft - meaning less pipe work for plumbers. But is combining two systems the smartest solution? There is the natural concern that because there are more moving parts in a combi-boiler than a system boiler that this could result in more things going wrong. But, there are also the favourable reports from heating engineers and customers who say that combi boilers are better suited to work with underfloor heating. Online sources (thegreenhome.co.uk) state that using underfloor heating with a combi boiler will actually improve the boilers lifespan, as opposed to using a traditional radiator and system boiler. This is because the combi boiler doesn’t have to work as hard to reach high temperatures. Another feature that makes these a great combo is their space-saving qualities. Underfloor heating is also making it ideal for smaller spaces. 

One thing we can all agree on is the increased energy efficiency of these systems, and that is something we should all embrace whether you’re an installer, developer or end user. To find out more on the range of underfloor heating options available from OMNIE click here.