- What size LPG boiler you will need
- Whether you need a Combi, System or a Regular Boiler
- LPG boiler prices & installation costs
- The best LPG boiler for Small, Medium & Large Properties
What KW LPG Boiler Do You Need?
This is typically the bit which catches most people out: a) because manufacturers put no effort into explaining the kW output in laymans terms for the average homeowner and b) they always over emphasize buying a bigger boiler than you actually need A kW [kilowatt] is 1,000 watts. LPG boiler manufacturers, infact all boiler manufacturers, use this when talking about output power. LPG Boilers come in 3 separate groups- 24kW – 27kW
- 28kW – 34kW
- 35kW – 42kW
The Solution
The most simplest way to determine the exact boiler size you require is with a few clicks over at HEATABLE. Its as simple as:- Click here www.heatable.co.uk
- Answer just #5, multi choice, clickable questions [takes around 30 seconds]
- Get to see FIXED prices, onscreen, and you’ll also get next day fitting!
Choosing your Boiler
We have put together the following guideline below, which should help:
Property Size | No. of Bathrooms | No. of Radiators | kW
Smaller [1-2 bedrooms] 1 10 or less 24kW-27kW
Mid Sized [3-4 bedrooms] 1-2 8-15 28kW-34kW
Large Homes 2+ 15-20 35kW-42kW
As we said above it is a guideline, if you have ‘extra’ living space like a converted loft, conservatories or ensuites and shower rooms, it’s all going to play a part in the decision making process.
LPG boilers are simple – they heat and deliver hot water. So if you have a bigger demand for hot water you’ll require a bigger boiler to service that demand.
What Kind of LPG Boiler Do I Need?
Easy to choose from as there are only 3 types of LPG boilers:
- Combination Boiler [‘Combi’]
- System Boiler
- Regular Boiler
If you are looking to save a few quid, then our advice is stick to the boiler ‘type’ that’s already installed in your home. Changing would require upgrades to the unit itself, flues, pipework and maybe where it’s housed.
With that said, if your boiler does not have sufficient power, in the first place or you have had an extension – then upgrade. But you don’t necessarily have to upgrade boiler type from say a combi to a system you’ll only need to ‘upgrade’ in kW. So say from 24kW to 28kW. Happy?
It’s horses for courses, so let’s go through the different boiler ‘types’ in more detail so everyone is on the same page, as not to throw a spanner in the works but there are instances when an upgraded boiler type [combi to system boiler for example] could be beneficial…
LPG Combi Boiler
Combination boilers heat water on demand, i.e ‘there and then’ – exactly when it’s required. So with a combi you won’t have a cylinder or hot water tank [often located in your loft]. So the positives are space saving.
The ‘negatives’ of combi boilers is, in terms of hot water, you could see a drop off during usage. Run a long shower and some taps whilst the central heating is on and you could see a drop off.
Typically what you see fitted into homes with 1-4 bedrooms are condensing LPG boilers, these are without doubt the most popular. And with good reason as they are fairly well priced and 9 times out of 10, they are all you will need.
Do you have more than 4 bedrooms? [or greater hot water demand than average, i.e 2 bathrooms?]
Ok, in that case you are probably going to require a system boiler, as a combi won’t be able to keep up with the demand. Or you’ll have to install a HUGE and expensive combi just to keep pace, which could be unnecessary.
A system boiler will heat water up in advance ready for usage later on, meaning you’ll have no issues with heating your home, running taps and having 2 showers running at once.
LPG System Boilers
System boilers are more suited to larger properties [2+ bathrooms] as they have a hot water cylinder. So that means you will be able to run more than 1 shower, taps, plus your heating all at once.
The ‘draw back’ of a system boiler is housing the cylinder, you will obviously need space for that.
Do I Already Have a System Boiler Installed?
Simple – do you have a boiler and cylinder but no hot water tank?
If you only have a boiler and cylinder you currently have a system boiler, so if you are just looking to replace that, crack on you’re squared away.
But just make sure you have checked the loft for a hot water tank before saying you haven’t got one…! Because if you have got a hot water tank [that is still connected up and working!] you have a ‘Regular’ boiler.
Regular LPG Boilers
A regular boiler has both a cylinder like a system boiler but also has a hot water tank. So in terms of total space, this type of boiler requires the most.
So if you have a boiler, cylinder and a hot water tank you currently have a regular boiler.
Happy with the set up you currently have – then crack on, you simply require a new regular boiler. [provided the cylinder and tank are all in good working order]
Upgrades…
Now let’s say you wanted to do away with the hot water tank, for whatever reason [you could have converted the loft and no longer have the space] you could then ‘upgrade’ to a system boiler.
It will mean still having a cylinder but it will also mean you can do away with the hefty hot water tank.
The upshot of upgrading means changes and changes and alterations usually means [not always] more money. But if it saves space it could be well worth it and you can get deals here on system boilers with next day fitting included.
The Best LPG Boilers in the UK
With LPG you’re safer staying with the better boiler brands. Alot of time you see these cheaper brands offering LPG boilers and they simply aren’t worth it in our opinion.
Ask any heating engineer which brands they are called out to repair and they will tell you it’s all the low end stuff.
Their parts just don’t have the longevity or reliability and as such the manufacturers don’t offer the warranties on them.
To save a couple hundred quid going for a cheaper brand wont stack up over the lifetime of the boiler. It all comes down to warranty.
You can get a fixed price deal from an online installer like HEATABLE for an LPG boiler and get a 10 year warranty on the best boiler brands there are.
The Top #7 Best LPG Boiler Brands:
- Worcester Bosch
- Viessmann
- Ideal Boilers
- Vaillant
- Baxi
- Potterton
- Vokera Boilers
Best LPG Combi Boiler for Static Caravan
The best LPG combi boiler for a 1-3 bedroom static caravan is the Worcester 28 CDI Compact which is 24kW.
Compact enough to fit into a cupboard so it can be ‘hidden’ away but powerful enough for the hot water demands for 1 bathroom.
Obviously with Worcester Bosch you are getting one of the UK best boiler brands being A rated and extremely efficient but they also come with longest warranties. Grab a fixed price here.
LPG Boiler Prices
Each brand has different models all with confusing names and associated numbers so let’s break down the best ones, what they offer and the price of them.
LPG Combi Boiler Prices
Model | Output (kW) | Boiler Prices
Worcester 28CDI Compact 24 £1,200
Vaillant EcoTec PRO 28 24 £1,150
Baxi DuoTec 28 24 £1,300
Worcester 34CDI Classic 30 £1,350
Worcester 38CDI Classic 30 £1,450
LPG System Boiler Prices
Model | Output (kW) | Boiler Prices
Worcester 24I 24 £1,150
Worcester 27I Compact 27 £1,250
Ideal Vogue S32 GEN2 LPG 32 £1,200
Vaillant EcoTec Plus 630 30 £1,350
LPG Regular Boiler Prices
Model | Output (kW) | Boiler Prices
Worcester 27RI 27 £1,050
Worcester 30RI Compact 30 £1,150
Worcester 40CDI Regular 40 £1,750
Vaillant EcoTec Plus 438 – Open Vent 38 £1,500
*cheapest prices taken from PlumbNation or Travis Perkins*