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6 Central Heating Myths That We’re Here to Bust!

6 Central Heating Myths That We’re Here to Bust!

6 Central Heating Myths That We’re Here to Bust!

You may have heard a few myths around central heating such as:

          Combination boilers do not work well in bigger house.

          I’m cold so I need bigger/new radiators

          If a boiler is expensive, its automatically better.

          My central heating system is new, I don’t need to protect it.

If you’ve heard any of these, we’re here to bust these myths. Over the years, we have found that there are a range of common myths and misconceptions around your home heating. At Mr Central Heating, we have spent years trying to dispel the myths and take the pain out of buying central heating systems. When it comes to the top home heating myths, we have summarised some of the more common mistakes that some people make.  

Myth 1 - I want a combination boiler but I have been told that my central heating system will not take the pressure.

This is not entirely true. Though you may suffer some pressure loss in this type of system, typically it should not cause too much of a problem. Combination boilers work as a sealed heating circuit and the pressure is maintained at around 1.5bar. This is fine as radiators are tested to 10 bar.  Valves and other items generally to 3bar. Mr Central Heating recommends that you budget for some eventualities and always communicate with the plumber to ensure you are getting the best form of heating system for you and your needs.  

Myth 2 - Combination boilers do not give you a very good water pressure and are not suitable for larger houses.

People habits at home have changed immensely over the last few years and most households now opt to shower more frequently than take a bath. This tends to suit combination boilers as they give instantaneous hot water and do not store the water like traditional cylinder systems. This is a far more cost-effective way to get hot water as you are only using what you need and not unnecessarily heating up tanks of water. Think of it like this; to make a cup of tea/coffee, you do not need to fill the kettle for just one/two cups. The same applies to home heating. Combination boilers are currently the most popular boiler type in the UK, making up over 80% of all sales which has driven the appliances to be more efficient and more diverse in how they perform. Great news for the consumer. If you’re looking for a good combi-boiler, we suggest the Potterton Titanium 40kW boiler which we have at a great price under £1,000. It gives 16 litres per minute at a 35*C rise which is 3.5 gallons a minute: making a great shower.  

Myth 3 - I need big radiators because I am cold and want to be more comfortable.

Unfortunately, big is not best in the heating world and oversizing a radiator is not the ideal solution. If your central heating system is not getting hot, then there may be other factors influencing the system like sludge and air in the radiators or system of pipes. Installing a larger radiator in your living room is not only expensive but does not create a comfortable heat. It can cause fluctuating temperatures and wasted energy, costing you money in the long run. Oversizing a radiator can also cause the boiler to be over worked, affecting efficiency, and just making that cosy temperature so much harder to achieve. Feel free to use our BTU calculator if you would like to check the size you’d need for your home.  

Myth 4 - I need a big boiler to get more heat.

A similar ‘big is best’ approach which is not cost effective to fuel costs and achieving optimal or even comfortable heat. The output that you get in a central heating system is determined by the size of radiators. So, if you have a high output boiler but small radiators it is not going to have any effect. It is best to size the new boiler or water heater correctly to suit the size of your house. This will be the best way to be energy efficient and keep your energy bills down especially if you check your tariffs regularly to ensure you are not overpaying. If you are looking for more tips on saving money and energy, then the Energy Saving Trust provides comprehensive information on to make the best use out of your heating system.  

Myth 5 - The most expensive boiler is always the best.

This is just simply not the case. As boilers now are available from so many different brands, it is more about finding what works for you. Whilst they may be better, finding the best boiler for you and your home is about more than just the cost of one part of you central heating system. A great thing for homeowners to look out for is a great warranty to ensure you are covered on boiler parts and labour should anything happen with some warranties now 10 or 12 years. If you get the boiler serviced yearly, you will have peace of mind. We also recommend you consider energy efficiency, which you can find in the specs of the boiler or you can ask a professional.  

Myth 6 - It is a new system, so I do not need any protection.

This is probably one of the worst misconceptions out there. It is a complete myth and we have busted it. It is damaging for you, the customer, for you central heating system and eventually, it will be financially damaging. Some people will spend over £1,000 on a new boiler or central heating system and then walk away without any protection. This would be like buying a new car without the protection of car insurance or riding a bike without a helmet. A heating system such as a mains gas boiler is used every day and burns fossil fuels. It heats water and has enormous temperature fluctuations regularly. Water which is constantly on the move around the house, or stored in storage tanks. All of which, is a recipe for corrosion and deterioration. We recommend that you protect your system with a filter or a chemical liquid protector and get it serviced regularly. Not only will this protect your central heating system, it will also protect you from property damage.   It is important to remember that when you protect your central heating system, you also protect and maintain you warranty. Some warranties will become void if it is found that the system has not been properly maintained and looked after. Overall, we hope we have busted some of these myths about your central heating system. As always, we recommend consulting a professional if you are considering updating your system. They should always be able to recommend what is best for your home. Mr Central Heating stocks a range of natural gas and heating oil systems, electric heating. We also stock a range of accessories such as pipework, thermostats, programmers, and hot water cylinders.