What are the best conventional boilers in 2023?
If you live in an area with low water pressure, a conventional boiler could be the perfect choice for you. Conventional boilers require both a hot water storage cylinder and a water tank, unlike combination boilers, which means they can provide a huge amount of hot water on demand. Sounds like a dream for those who have multiple bathrooms, require hot water on demand and have extra space in their homes.
Conventional boilers have so many names, so just to list a few, they are also known as heat-only boilers, traditional boilers, open-vent boilers, and regular boilers.
What’s a conventional boiler?
Other than a back boiler, the conventional/regular boiler is the oldest boiler type on the market. This is why they are also known as traditional or conventional boilers.
As we mentioned earlier, conventional boilers require a cold water tank in the attic, in addition to a hot water storage cylinder, usually in an airing cupboard. Due to the space these tanks take up, the combi boiler has become the preferred choice of boiler type in the UK.
If your home is short of space, or you would like to convert your loft space, then having a regular boiler would be less desirable than a combi boiler. Combi boilers work by heating water directly from the mains water supply, they also supply the central heating and hot water from one compact unit.
If you have a high hot water demand in your home and you would like to be able to supply hot water to two bathrooms at the same time then this is where you might prefer a regular boiler. As the water is preheated and stored in a tank, there is plenty of hot water to use and there is no loss of pressure. However, when the stored water is used up, you’ll have to wait hours for the tank to be refilled with hot water or risk having a tepid bath!
Unlike a combi boiler which heats water on demand, a conventional boiler stores the hot water. While this hot water is stored there is inevitably some heat loss that occurs, making regular boilers less energy-efficient. This could be hard on your wallet!
Most homes in the UK choose to have a combi boiler fitted, and you can choose to convert your regular boiler to a combi boiler when you complete the WarmZilla online survey to get your boiler quote if you decide it’s the right option for you. It only takes a few minutes and you’ll be given a selection of boilers to suit your home.
So how does a conventional boiler work?
Conventional boilers work slightly differently from a combination boiler. Rather than heating water directly from the mains water feed as is the case with combi boilers, a conventional boiler will have a large cold water storage tank (usually in the attic or loft) where it will receive water from the mains supply.
The cold water feeds down from the attic or loft into the boiler where it is heated by the boiler’s heat exchanger and then pumped to a hot water cylinder, where it is stored ready for use.
A conventional boiler is similar to a system boiler in that they both heat and store hot water in a cylinder ready for use. However, a system boiler doesn’t have a cold water tank in the loft, instead, it heats water directly from the mains as a combi boiler does.
If you aren’t sure what type of boiler system you have, have a look at our blog on boiler types. This is extremely useful if you are planning to replace your regular boiler.
Why is choosing the right conventional boiler important?
Choosing the right conventional boiler is one of the most important decisions you can make, but why? If you’ve chosen a conventional boiler that isn’t compatible with your house structure and layout, you could end up forking out a lot of money on energy bills, even worse, experiencing long delays in hot water reaching your home’s water outlets – I’m getting the chills thinking about it!
At the opposite end of the spectrum, if your preferred boiler brand isn’t as energy efficient as the rest, you will end up paying more on energy bills.
Pros and cons of a conventional boiler
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Is a conventional boiler right for my home?
Bear in mind that the decision to buy the right conventional boiler depends on a few factors; how much you want to spend, what brand of boiler you like, the setup of your current boiler, and the size of your home.
Conventional boilers usually run on natural gas or oil. Some regular boilers will be solar compatible but you will need to double-check for each boiler.
You can take our online survey to get an instant and free quote for a brand new boiler. Just answer a few simple questions and you will find the best conventional boiler that suits your needs.
Don’t forget to check out our boiler comparison tool, where you can compare up to 3 boilers side-by-side to help you find the right conventional boiler for your home.
Thinking about buying a conventional boiler? Don’t worry – we can help with that. Here, we list the top 5 conventional boiler models, to make choosing the right regular boiler for your home as easy as choosing a movie to watch on Netflix (although that’s often a big cause of arguments!).
Top 5 conventional boiler models
Now we know exactly how a regular boiler system works, let’s get into the part that we’re all here for – the top five regular boilers on the market in 2023.
This section will be looking at the best regular boiler ranges on the market, as well as their efficiency ratings, warranties, and price. Please note that these prices are for the boiler alone without installation.
1. Worcester Bosch Greenstar 8000 Life Regular
You guessed it, the Worcester Bosch Greenstar 8000 Life came first. Worcester Bosch is known for delivering outstanding service and aftercare throughout the customer journey and the results from both the Which? Best Boiler Brand survey 2023, their Trustpilot score, and their reviews prove this.
Worcester Bosch Which? Boiler Brand Survey Results:
Worcester have built an enviable reputation for customer aftercare, which is reflected in their 4.6/5 average boiler review score on Trustpilot. Customers are obviously happy with the product and the customer care they receive.
Worcester Bosch also has 91% above average scores on Trustpilot and mostly 5 out of 5 stars in the Which? survey, so the proof is in the pudding as they say. It is evident that Worcester Bosch as a brand, and their boilers particularly, are highly reliable and efficient.
Worcester Bosch is continuously praised for its high levels of customer service and aftercare. Besides having a brilliant range of regular boilers for all property sizes and demands, Worcester Bosch also offers between 5 to 12 years warranty on their regular boilers (dependent on the boiler model) for extra peace of mind.
When purchasing a new or replacement Worcester Bosch boiler with us at WarmZilla, there is also the option for 0% interest-free for 2 years to help spread the cost.
Worcester Bosch Greenstar Ri regular boiler comparison table:
Boiler Model | Greenstar 8000 Life 30kW | Greenstar 8000 Life 35kW | Greenstar 8000 Life 40kW | Greenstar 8000 Life 45kW | Greenstar 8000 Life 50kW |
Warranty length | 10 years | 12 years | 12 years | 12 years | 10 years |
kW Output (CH) | 30kW | 35kW | 40kW | 45kW | 50kW |
Efficiency | 94% | 94% | 94% | 94% | 94% |
Cost Inc. VAT (boiler only)* | £1,303.86 | £1,544.30 | £1,791.92 | £2,034.65 | £2,284.87 |
The Greenstar 8000 range is a compact, wall-mounted boiler with a range of kW sizes to suit all-size homes.
The new Greenstar 8000 Lifestyle range comes in 2 models. The first of these is the Life model which builds upon the CDi Classic range but with a whole new elegant design.
Worcester Bosch Greenstar Ri regular Key Features:
- Outputs ranging from 30kw to 50kw
- Lower weight than the famous Cdi Classic
- Installation, servicing and maintenance made easier
- Same pipe connections, flue and fixing points as the CDi Classic enabling an easy swap
2. Viessmann Vitodens 100-W
In second place, you will find the Viessmann Vitodens 100-W.
The Vitodens 100-W is available as a system boiler in the following sizes: 11kW, 19kW, 25kW, and 32kW, as a combi boiler in 26kW, 30kW, and 32kW, and as a conventional boiler too.
Which? described Viessmann’s system boiler as “A reliable Best Buy” – which is the equivalent of a Paul Hollywood handshake in the boiler world!
Viessmann Which? Boiler Brand Survey Results:
Viessmann boilers bagged an overall score of 81% and a massive 5 out of 5 stars for their customer score, revealing that Viessmann boilers are loved by their users.
We believe that the Viessmann 100-W system boilers are excellent boilers and here’s why:
Boiler Model | Viessmann Vitodens 100-W 13kW | Viessmann Vitodens 100-W 16kW | |||
Warranty length | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years |
kW Output (CH) | 13kW | 16kW | 19kW | 26kW | 35kW |
Efficiency | 94% | 94% | 94% | 94% | 94% |
Cost Inc. VAT (boiler only)* | £909.99 | £1124.99 | £1216.18 | £1,189.98 | £1,258.79 |
Viessmann Vitodens 100-W is a fantastic boiler, known for its reliability and efficiency, even before the latest 2021 update. However, in the latest model, Viessmann has made some beneficial upgrades to increase its efficiency even more.
The 2021 Vitodens 100-W model is enhanced by the new MatriX-Plus burner and new Lambda Pro automatic combustion control. These technologies ensure low fuel consumption with low NOx and CO2 emissions.
On TrustPilot, Viessmann UK has over 2.4k reviews. 89% of those are above average.
Viessmann Vitodens 100-W key features:
- Compact design and low weight
- Quiet operation thanks to low fan speed
- Available in outputs from 3.2 to 32 kW
- High-quality stainless steel Inox-Radial heat exchanger
- Up to 94% of the fuel used is converted into heat
- 5-year guarantee with the option to extend by a further 7 years
- Hydrogen Ready Boiler (H2 20% blend)
- Class A-rated for energy efficiency
- Low CO2 emissions for reduced environmental impact
- User friendly LED Touch screen for easy operation
- Optional ViCare Thermostat means no third-party controls are required
Get a quote for the Viessmann Vitodens 100-W boiler today.
3. Vaillant ecoTEC Plus Regular Boiler
In third place, we have the Vaillant ecoTEC Plus range. In the Which? Best Boiler Brand survey in 2023, Vaillant was awarded the best overall score, which is one of the reasons why this regular boiler range is in our top five.
Vaillant Which? Boiler Brand Survey Results:
The survey results speak for themselves when it comes to Vaillant boilers. As you can see from the results, Vaillant boilers are seen as a highly reliable and efficient regular boiler brand. Customers scored Vaillant boilers a huge 5 out of 5 stars, proving that they are more than happy with the overall performance of their Vaillant regular boilers.
Vaillant has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot from over 15k reviews. With over 90% of Vaillant’s reviews being above average, customers can be confident that they are dealing with a reliable and efficient boiler brand that cares about its customers.
Similarly to Worcester Bosch, Vaillant’s reviews not only show how satisfied customers are with their boilers but also with their customer service.
Vaillant ecoTEC Plus regular boiler comparison table:
Boiler Model | Vaillant EcoTEC Plus 412 | |||||
Warranty length | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years |
kW Output (CH) | 12kW | 15kW | 18kW | 24kW | 30kW | 35kW |
Efficiency | 94% | 94% | 94% | 94% | 94% | 94% |
Cost Inc. VAT (boiler only)* | £882 | £933.74 | £1,051.34 | £1,116.02 | £1,180.70 | £1,606.81 |
The Vaillant ecoTEC Plus regular boilers are one of the best boiler models on the market, but don’t let this fool you as these regular boilers still pack a punch. With an efficiency rating of 94%, this boiler range is very reliable and will provide you with consistent hot water and central heating whenever needed.
The Vaillant ecoTEC Plus regular boilers come with a standard 5 years warranty, when purchasing a new or replacement Vaillant boiler with WarmZilla, you get an 8-year guarantee, for extra peace of mind.
Vaillant ecoTEC Plus key features:
- Built-in-two-stage frost protection
- A flush-fit flue system for greater flexibility with the installation
- An LED digital display screen
- Pull down flap which reveals the controls
- Removable side panels for easy access
To get a quote on a new boiler in minutes, click here.
4. Ideal Logic MAX Heat Regular Gas Boiler
In fourth place, we have the Ideal Logic MAX Heat Regular Gas Boiler.
The Ideal Logic MAX Heat regular boiler range has five kW output models, so there is an option for every size home.
In the Which? Best Boiler Brand Survey in 2023, customers were asked to rate their boiler on efficiency, reliability, and build quality. Ideal boilers were awarded an overall brand score of 74%.
Ideal Which? Boiler Brand Survey Results:
Although Ideal have a lower overall score than Vaillant regular boilers, they have consistent scoring across the board and they are considerably cheaper boilers than Vaillant. As you can see from the survey results, Ideal boilers were awarded 5 stars for reliability and 4 out of 5 stars for customer score, showing that users are happy with the performance of their Ideal boiler. Ideal boilers are made in the UK, meaning that getting hold of spare parts should be easy. Which? Trusted Traders agreed with this, scoring Ideal boilers 5 stars for the availability of spare parts.
Ideal boilers were also given 4 out of 5 stars for ease of fixing a common fault, and ease of servicing, which shows that engineers also approve of the boiler brand.
Ideal also has a score of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot and over 12k reviews. 93% of their reviews are above average, proving that customers approve of Ideal boilers.
The Ideal Logic MAX Heat is one of Ideal’s more budget-friendly regular boilers. It is important to note that the price for a regular boiler will be more expensive than a combi or system boiler due to the additional tanks needed and the labour costs to install the central heating system.
For these reasons, we have placed the Ideal Logic Heat regular boilers 3rd in our top 5.
Ideal Logic Heat regular boiler comparison table:
Boiler Model | Ideal Logic Max Heat H12 | Ideal Logic Max Heat H15 | Ideal Logic Max Heat H18 | Ideal Logic Max Heat H24 | |
Warranty length | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years |
kW Output (CH) | 12kW | 15kW | 18kW | 24kW | 30kW |
| Efficiency | 93% | 94% | 93% | 94% | 94% |
Cost Inc. VAT (boiler only)* | £942.50 | £987.55 | £1,031.39 | £1,084.98 | £1,251.79 |
Ideal Logic MAX Heat boilers are one of the cheaper regular boiler ranges on the market, however, they still have a high-efficiency rating of at least 93%.
Most boilers are never going to look sleek and pretty, but the Ideal Logic MAX Heat is fitted with a large back-lit LCD digital display and easy-to-use controls for maximum comfort in your home. For extra peace of mind, the Ideal Logic MAX Heat has a ten-year warranty.
Other benefits of the Ideal Logic Heat include:
- Compact fit for installation inside a kitchen cupboard
- Easy access to the pressure gauge
- User-friendly controls
- Large LCD display screen
- Range of flue options
- Range of output levels
This is probably a great time to mention that all WarmZilla boiler prices include Gas Safe installation as standard. Our boiler prices also include a system filter, a system cleanse, guarantee, smart thermostat, and any other bits and bobs you need to get your boiler up and running. If you want to see exactly what’s included, do a quick quote online today.
5. Baxi 800 Heat
Last but certainly not least, comes the Baxi 800 Heat. The Baxi 800 Heat has the option of a top or rear flue, making it an easy replacement for old standard efficiency boilers.
In the Which? Best Boiler Brand Survey in 2023, Baxi boilers were awarded with an overall brand score of 76%.
Baxi Which? Best Boiler Brand Survey Results:
Put simply, Baxi system boilers are great boilers with excellent reliability and ease of service.
Here’s our side-by-side comparison:
Boiler Model | Baxi 816 | Baxi 825 | Baxi 830 |
Warranty length | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years |
kW Output (CH) | 16kW | 25kW | 30kW |
| Efficiency | 93% | 93% | 93% |
| Price* (inc VAT) | £989.99 | £1099.99 | £1174.99 |
Baxi has over 4.5 stars on Trustpilot and over 35k reviews. Over 86% of Baxi’s reviews are above average, showing that this is again, another great boiler brand. Baxi has won many awards including Gas Industry Award in 2017, for both customer service and energy efficiency.
The Baxi 800 Heat features are:
- 10-year parts and labour warranty
- Comes with an Adey Micro2 magnetic system filter to protect the heating system and boiler
- Fits inside a standard kitchen cupboard
- Works extremely quietly
- Rear flue option for an even neater finish
- Compatible with market-leading Megaflo Eco hot water cylinder
- Certified to work with 20% hydrogen
Unfortunately, WarmZilla don’t sell Baxi boilers currently, however, if you like the look of a Baxi boiler, you can use our Boiler Comparison tool which allows you to compare this regular boiler to others that we do sell. We’re all about helping you to find the perfect new boiler for your home!
What kW output regular boiler do I need for my home?
The boiler type and kW output you will need depends upon the size of your house and the water pressure in the area you live in.
For example, when it comes to the type of boiler you need in your home, if you have one bathroom, or even two bathrooms (one with an electric shower) then a combi boiler may be a better solution. If you have two bathrooms that are often used at the same time, like getting ready in the morning, then you may be better off with a system boiler as there should be plenty of stored hot water.
If you have a regular boiler and an old central heating system then it might be best to replace it with an updated regular boiler.
When it comes to choosing the correct kW boiler for your home, there are a few things that are important to consider. These include:
- Total number of radiators in your home
- Total number of bedrooms
- Total number of bathrooms
- Number of people living in the property
- Once you’ve gathered all this information, you should then be able to identify what boiler size you need. If you are unsure about what boiler type and kW you need for your home, we have a blog that covers this. We also have a blog explaining exactly what kW output means, in case you want to give that a read too.
No of bedrooms and bathrooms | Poorly insulated property | Moderately insulated property | Well insulated property |
1 bed | 8kW | 7kW | 5kW |
2 bed | 8kW | 7kW | 6kW |
| 3 bed | 10kW | 9kW | 6kW |
| 4 bed | 12kW | 10kW | 7kW |
| 5 bed | 15kW | 12kW | 9kW |
| 6+ bed | 18kW | 15kW | 10kW |
Every home is different, but hopefully, with the information in this blog, you are better informed to decide for yourself what boiler type would suit your needs best. If you still aren’t sure then please get in touch with the team at ask@warmzilla.co.uk and we’ll be happy to help you.
What's included with a new boiler from WarmZilla?
Your WarmZilla boiler package will include:
- Gas Safe Installation – £450 (minimum)
- System Cleanse – £30
- System Filter – £120
- Wireless controls – £80
- Flue – £80
- Plume Kit – £100 (if required)
- Moving Boiler – £150 – £500 (if required)
- Gas pipe upgrade – £300 – £500 (if required/included in your fixed price quote)
With WarmZilla, you also get the convenience of purchasing your boiler and installation all in one go. Online. In a few minutes. You can also choose a convenient boiler install date that suits you, within 48 hours of your purchase date.
To get a boiler replacement quote tailored to your home without having to part with your personal details, try WarmZilla. It only takes a few minutes and you’ll get a fixed price boiler quote with boiler installation included.
Overall, all five of the boiler brands discussed above offer reliable and efficient regular boilers, which is why we recommend them at WarmZilla.
*Boiler prices were taken from an online retailer.
