Boilers are one of the essential yet overlooked parts of home heating maintenance. As part of our new boiler installation and cover offering, we are committed to helping homeowners in the UK find the best 2022 boilers. Our experts have reviewed everything from Viessmann boilers to Worcester Bosch boilers to find the best heating system in terms of customer ratings, flow rate, and smart technology compatibility.
Why Are Efficient Boilers Important?
The more efficient your boiler, the less you will spend on home heating. Inefficient boilers use more energy. Boilers are constantly evolving, which means that there is always a newer, more efficient version on the market.
Why Is Gas Safe Installation Important?
Once you have chosen a manufacturer from our list of the best 2022 boilers, it is time to find a Gas Safe registered engineer. The Gas Safe Register provides homeowners with a quick, accessible way to find professional engineers that have relevant health and safety qualifications.
Different Types of Boilers
Combi boilers connect to mains cold water supplies and can deliver hot water whenever. They do not need a water tank, which makes them perfect for people who want to streamline their heating systems.
Regular boilers are sometimes called heat-only boilers. This type of boiler usually has an on/off switch. Open-vented heat-only systems require cold water feeds and expansion tanks in lofts. They have lots of external components.
System vents are also referred to as closed vent or sealed system boilers. They do not require a cold water tank. In simple terms, they are heat-only boilers without messy external parts.
Condensing boilers capture the heat expended in the combustion process and put it to good use. They are often recommended to homeowners who want environmentally-friendly options.
Viessmann Vitodens 100-W Combi Gas Boiler – #1
Viessmann boilers are at the top of our list. Vitodens 100-W comes as a combi boiler, standard boiler, and system boiler. We recommend the combi boiler to people all over the UK. Customers can expect superior German engineering, high-quality materials, and efficient energy practices. Vitodens 100-W is one of the best 2022 boilers for people who want long-lasting heating systems.
The combi version comes in 26kW, 30kW, and 35kW sizes. We recommend 30kW and 35kW boilers to people who own houses that have three or four bedrooms or bathrooms.
Customer Reviews
Viessmann has 4.4/5 stars on Trustpilot and an overall rating of excellent. Prospective customers can read reviews for Vitodens 100-W by using the search function. Customers applaud the efficiency, functionality, and high quality of this Viessmann combi boiler.
Dimensions
W400mm x H700mm x D350mm
Flow Rate
The most popular Viessmann boiler is the 30kW. The flow rate is 12.3 Ltr/min.
Energy Efficiency
Viessmann boilers are the only combi boilers on the market that have lambda combustion control. Lambda values tell us the air-fuel ratio, which is the mass ratio of air and fuel in the combustion chamber. When a lambda value equals one, the conditions in the combustion chamber are perfectly balanced.
With this Viessmann boiler, customers do not have to worry about oxygen starvation or excess. Lambda combustion control makes boilers more energy efficient. This boiler only uses the exact amount of energy necessary.
Compatibility With Smart Technology
Vitodens 100-W is compatible with ViCare smart thermostats, which come with a matching ViCare app. The thermostat shows information on the operating status of the boiler and allows the system to be remoted monitored by local heating engineers. Customers can control their heating and hot water from their smartphones.
Advantages
- Contains a patented Inox Radial Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger. Aluminium alternatives are often found in boilers that are manufactured by lesser brands.
- Only boiler on the market with lambda combustion control.
- Able to handle hydrogen fuel. Viessmann boilers are future-proofed against new energy developments.
- Compact size.
- Parts are readily available.
- Which? Best Buy approved.
- WiFi interface included as standard.
- Connects directly to the internet if required.
Disadvantages
- Wall-mounted, which means that it is not suitable for small alcoves.
- More expensive than the other options on the market.
- Some customers have had poor experiences with Viessmann’s engineers during the installation process.
Worcester Bosch 4000 Combi Boiler – #2
Worcester Bosch Greenstar 4000 combi boilers are made with advanced technology and benefit from a compact frame. They are small enough to fit snugly inside an average kitchen cabinet. We recommend these boilers for homes where space is at a premium.
Customer Reviews
Worcester Bosch has an average of 4.6 /5 stars on Trustpilot, which gives it an overall rating of excellent. Customers mention excellent installation experiences. Other customers claim that they experienced glitches that were promptly solved by software updates.
Dimensions
W400mm x H724mm x D310mm
Flow Rate
The flow rate is 12.3 Ltr/min.
Energy Efficiency
Worcester Bosch 4000 is the manufacturer’s most environmentally-friendly boiler. It features smart modulation, which means that the boiler reduces its output to become more energy efficient. This Worcester Bosch boiler can modulate itself at 1:10. In practical terms, this means that a 30kW boiler can run at 3kW when necessary.
Compatibility With Smart Technology
Greenstar 4000 Worcester Bosch boilers are compatible with Bosch EasyControl smart thermostats. The EasyControl app features energy-efficiency tips that save them money. EasyControl thermostats can also be controlled with voice commands through an Alexa or Google Home Assistant.
We recommend purchasing Bosch Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) which allow homeowners to control the temperature of individual rooms from their phones.
Advantages
- Compatible with solar panels.
- Smart modulation feature.
- Compact boiler that can fit in kitchen cabinets.
- New Quick Tap feature makes sure that there is no water waste. Homeowners can flick the Quick Tap on and run hot water 20 seconds later.
- Product packaging is 99.9% recyclable.
Disadvantages
- Filling loop is not supplied.
- Flue not supplied.
- More expensive than other models on the market.
Worcester Bosch 2000 Combi Boiler – #3
It is no surprise that Worcester Bosch boilers are so high up on our list. Bosch Greenstar 2000 is one of the manufacturer’s newer models. The exterior is sleek and stylish, and the interior is packed full of modern technology. Homeowners all over the UK rely on this powerful, efficient boiler.
Customer Reviews
Worcester Bosch has an average of 4.6 /5 stars on Trustpilot and an overall rating of excellent. Some customers have excellent experiences with the Greenstar 2000, whereas others have poor experiences. Excellent reviews mention the manufacturer’s quick, efficient customer service team, and negative reviews mention endless error codes and heating issues.
A representative from Bosch replies to negative reviews.
Dimensions
W400mm x H724mm x D300
Flow Rate
24kW – water flow rate is 9 Ltr/min.
30kW – water flow rate is 10.8 Ltr/min.
Energy Efficiency
Like most modern Worcester Bosch boilers, Greenstar 2000 has a Quick Tap feature. Lots of homeowners have to run their taps for 30 seconds until they can get hot water. With the Quick Tap feature, homeowners can flip a switch on their boiler, wait 20 seconds, and run their tap for instant hot water.
Compatibility With Smart Technology
Like the other combi boilers in the range, Greenstar 2000 is compatible with Bosch Easycontrol smart thermostats. The thermostat is controlled through an app that can be installed on smartphones and tablets. Homeowners can even voice-activate their boiler through Alexa or Google Home.
Advantages
- 6-year guarantee.
- Quietest combi boiler by Worcester Bosch.
- Compact design can fit into kitchen alcoves.
- Removable side panels for easy access.
- Competitive price.
- Hydrogen ready capabilities.
- More compact, affordable alternative to the Worcester Bosch Greenstar 8000.
Disadvantages
- Entry-level boiler that is not suitable for advanced needs.
- Not suitable for one-bedroom flats or houses.
Alpha E-Tec Combi Boiler – #4
Alpha Innovations has over 50 years of experience in the boiler manufacturing industry. They have a production hub in Italy, which has produced over 7 million boilers. Alpha E-Tec is one of the most popular products from this brand.
Customer Reviews
Alpha Innovations has an average of 4.6/5 stars on Trustpilot, which has earned it a rating of excellent. Lots of customers are impressed with the quality of Alpha E-Tec boilers and mention that they are easy to use. Other reviewers warn prospective customers about poor engineers and installation practices.
Dimensions
W440mm x H712mm x D268mm
Flow Rate
Alpha E-Tec Plus 28 – water flow rate is 12.1 Ltr/min.
Alpha E-Tec Plus 33 – water flow rate is 14.1 Ltr/min.
Alpha E-Tec Plus 38 – water flow rate is 15.9 Ltr/min.
Energy Efficiency
Alpha combi boilers are fitted with highly effective Grundfos pump and hydroblock assembly.
Compatibility With Smart Technology
Alpha E-Tec combi boilers are compatible with all the best third party controls. Hive, Nest, and Tado are just a few of the smart controls that customers can use with Alpha boilers.
Advantages
- 10-year warranty.
- Rated A for energy efficiency.
- Stainless steel heat exchanger.
- Dry-change NTCs located on the front of the pipes for easy accessibility.
- Expansion vessel is plated with zinc to prevent corrosion.
Disadvantages
- Alpha has a few negative reviews on Trustpilot and a less than perfect rating.
- Not suitable for one-bed flats or homes.
- 93% efficiency rating is not perfect.
Ideal Logic C30 – #5
Logic C30 is one of the most popular boilers in Ideal’s ErP (Energy-related Products) range. We recommend Ideal Logic combi boilers for eco-conscious individuals. C30 is compact and sleek, which makes it perfect for small flats and homes.
Customer Reviews
Ideal Heating has over 17,500 reviews on Trustpilot. It has 4.8/5 stars and an overall rating of excellent. Lots of customers report having no problems with their Ideal Logic boilers, and those that do have problems mention quick fix times and professional engineers.
Dimensions
W395mm x H700mm x D278mm
Flow Rate
30kW – water flow rate is 12.4 Ltr/min.
Energy Efficiency
This Ideal Logic combi boiler was designed for eco-conscious individuals. It is part of the ErP range. It has a 94% energy efficiency rating. While not perfect, this rating is excellent for homeowners who want an affordable, reliable option.
Compatibility With Smart Technology
Ideal has partnered with Halo to offer homeowners advanced control over their heating systems. Halo is a smart thermostat that can be controlled through an app on smartphones and tablets.
Advantages
- 2-year warranty as standard.
- Uses natural gas for fuel, which means that it is future proof.
- Maximum heating output of 24.2kW, making it perfect for small and medium sizes homes that have one or two bathrooms and up to 10 radiators.
- Contemporary controls.
Disadvantages
- 94% energy-efficiency rating is not perfect.
- Not suitable for large homes that have more than three bathrooms or more than ten radiators.
- The standard warranty is not as long as other manufacturers.
Vaillant ecoTec Exclusive Combi Boiler – #6
This wall-mounted, condensing boiler is perfect for people who want to take a more eco-friendly approach to home heating. Customers can purchase Vaillant ecoTec combi, system, or regular boilers.
EcoTec ranks in 6th place on our list of best 2022 boilers because it is the best offering for large homes. The standard version has a 35kW output and the advanced version has a 43kW output. Both are suitable for medium-sized homes.
Customer Reviews
Vaillant has 4.6/5 stars and an overall rating of excellent on Trustpilot. Customers are quick to commend the efficient nature of ecoTec boilers. Some reviewers mention constant problems with the expansion valves, diverter valves, and condenser pipes in their ecoTec boilers. Like a lot of the other boiler manufacturers on our list, Vaillant cares about customer satisfaction. A Vaillant representative replies to most (but not all) reviews.
Dimensions
35kW – W440mm x H720mm x D406mm
43kW – W440mm x H720mm x D474mm
Flow Rate
35kW – water flow rate is 14.5 Ltr/min.
Vaillant ecoTec 43kW – water flow rate is 17.8 Ltr/min.
Energy Efficiency
Vaillant ecoTec has made it onto our list of best 2022 boilers because it is extremely energy efficient. The Exclusive boiler has an optimum efficiency of up to 98%. It creates a lot less soot during the combustion process and reduces energy consumption by around a third compared to older heating systems.
Compatibility With Smart Technology
Vaillant ecoTec Exclusive is compatible with vSMART Vaillant heating controls. This system promises optimal performance. Homeowners can control their heating from a smartphone app.
Advantages
- 5-year guarantee as standard.
- Rated A for efficiency.
- 85% recyclable.
- Optimum energy efficiency of up to 98%.
- Compatible with up to 20% hydrogen.
- Quiet Mark approved, meaning it is one of the best boilers on the market for homeowners who want unobtrusive heating systems.
- Hand-built in Vaillant’s Derbyshire-based manufacturing plant.
Disadvantages
- Not entirely hydrogen compatible.
- Not entirely recyclable.
- Not entirely energy-efficient.
Navien Condensing NCB Gas Combi Boiler – #7
It is no surprise that the Navien Condensing NCB Gas Combi Boiler has made it onto our list. Navien became the first company in Asia to create an environmentally-friendly condensing boiler in 1988. Condensing boilers are water heaters that rely on gas or oil. They are designed to recover the heat of vaporisation during the combustion process, which makes them extremely efficient. More and more eco-friendly consumers are turning to Navien for their home heating systems.
Customer Reviews
Unlike a lot of the manufacturers on our best 2022 boilers list, Navien has very few Trustpilot reviews. There are also a few different Navien accounts on Trustpilot, which means that the company may have tried to rebrand.
It has 4.1/5 stars on Trustpilot and an overall rating of great. Lots of customers have had good experiences with the NCB combi boiler, and are quick to applaud the installation process.
Dimensions
28kW – W440mm x H695mm x D358mm
38kW – W440mm x H358mm x D695mm
42kW – W440mm x H408mm x D695mm
Flow Rate
28kW – water flow rate is 11.5 Ltr/min.
Energy Efficiency
This boiler features a stainless steel heat exchanger. Other manufacturers use inferior materials, and their customers can feel the difference. Heat exchanges stop heating systems from corroding, and also optimise heat output. With a stainless steel heat exchanger, homeowners can expect their Navien combi boilers to stand the test of time.
Compatibility With Smart Technology
Navien Condensing NCB Gas Combi Boiler has smart controls. Homeowners can make decisions about their boiler from their smartphones. Voice commands are even available with compatible devices such as Alexas.
Advantages
- Up to 7-years warranty.
- Class A ErP rating.
- Features a stainless steel heat exchanger.
- Range includes boilers that are suited to homes with up to three bathrooms and up to five bedrooms.
- Water and central heating boiler in one.
- Save space as they eliminate the need for a hot water cylinder.
Disadvantages
- Warranty is not as long as other manufacturers offer.
- Not suitable for homes with more than three bathrooms.
- Not suitable for homes with more than five bedrooms.
Worcester Bosch Greenstar 30i Combi Boiler – #8
Worcester Bosch has made more than one appearance on our list of the best 2022 boilers. This manufacturer does not disappoint on quality.
Customer Reviews
Worcester Bosch has an average of 4.6 /5 stars on Trustpilot and an overall rating of excellent. Satisfied customers are happy with how quiet and efficient the Greenstar 30i combi boiler is, but some negative reviewers contradict this claim.
Dimensions
30kW – W400mm x H710mm x D330mm
Flow Rate
30kW – water flow rate is 10.8 Ltr/min.
Energy Efficiency
This boiler is rated A for energy efficiency, and rated A+ for efficiency when paired with the Bosch EasyControl system.
Compatibility With Smart Technology
Worcester Bosch boilers are compatible with smart thermostats. Homeowners can download a smartphone app and control their heating system from there.
Advantages
- Up to 10 years warranty.
- Class A ErP rating.
- Energy efficiency rating of 93%.
- Simple control panel.
Disadvantages
- Made from German parts, which may be difficult to source.
- Relies on mains water pressure, which can pose difficulties when multiple people want hot water.
- Not suitable for homes with more than three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Ideal Vogue Combi Boiler – #9
Ideal Vogue is available as a combi boiler in 26kW, 32kW, and 40kW outputs, and as a system boiler in 15kW, 18kW, and 26kW systems.
Customer Reviews
Ideal heating has 4.8/5 stars and an overall rating of excellent on Trustpilot. Customers are happy about Ideal’s experienced engineers and quick solutions. Negative reviews always receive a response from an Ideal representative.
Dimensions
W445mm x H740mm x D330mm
Flow Rate
26kW – water flow rate is 10.6 Ltr/min.
32kW – water flow rate is 13.1 Ltr/min.
40kW – water flow rate is 16.4 Ltr/min.
Energy Efficiency
Ideal Vogue combi boilers have an energy efficiency rating of A. The Vogue C40 and C26 have an efficiency rating of 91.1% and the C32 has an efficiency rating of 91%.
Compatibility with Smart Technology
Like a lot of the boilers on our list of best 2022 boilers, Ideal Vogue boilers are compatible with smart technology. Homeowners can install a smart thermostat and control it through the Halo app.
Advantages
- Up to 12-year standard warranty.
- Efficiency rating of A.
- Compact enough to fit in a kitchen cupboard.
- 24-hour mechanical timer.
Disadvantages
- Other boilers have superior efficiency ratings.
- Not suitable for large family homes that have over five bathrooms.
Baxi 600 Combi Boiler – #10
Baxi is one of our recommendations for the best 2022 boilers because it is compact, functional, and reliable. The standard model is available with 24kW, 30kW, and 36kW outputs, and LPG models are available with 24kW and 30kW outputs.
Customer Reviews
This well-established manufacturer has over 40,000 reviews on Trustpilot. It has 4.5/5 stars on Trustpilot and an overall rating of excellent. Lots of customers report having difficulties with their 600 combi boiler, and further difficulties trying to fix the issue with a Baxi engineer. Most (but not all) negative reviews receive a response from a Baxi representative.
Dimensions
W390mm x H700mm x D285mm
Flow Rate
24kW – water flow rate is 10.2 Ltr/min.
30kW – water flow rate of 12.2 Ltr/min.
Energy Efficiency
This Baxi combi boiler is rated A for heating efficiency.
Compatibility With Smart Technology
Baxi combi boilers are compatible with uSense smart controls.
Advantages
- Made in the UK, which means that it is easy to source parts.
- EasyFill feature makes it easy to top up the pressure without calling an engineer.
- Compact combi boiler that can fit inside a kitchen cupboard.
- OpenTherm interface.
- Choice of flue lengths.
Disadvantages
- Only certified to work with 20% hydrogen.
- Not suitable for homes that have over four bedrooms.
Choosing the Right Size Boiler for Your Home
Homeowners can save themselves a headache by choosing the right size boiler for their homes. You would be forgiven for thinking that the chatter about boiler sizes is in about dimensions. In fact, customers need to consider the output above all else. The output is measured in kilowatts (kW).
Prospective customers need to consider how many bathrooms, bedrooms, and radiators are in their homes. The more bathrooms and bedrooms, the higher the output needs to be.
Best 2022 Boilers for 2, 3, and 4 Bedroom Houses
24-30kW standard and combi boilers are suitable for average three and four-bedroom homes.
Best 2022 Boilers for Smart Homes
Modern boiler manufacturers know how important smart compatibility is. There is more demand than ever for appliances that are compatible with smart technology. With smart boilers, homeowners can manage their energy consumption from their smartphones.
All of the boilers on our list of the best 2022 boilers are compatible with smart technology. Homeowners can choose from Ideal Logic, Worcester Bosch, and Viessmann boilers.
Best 2022 Boilers for Tight Budgets
Ideal Logic H boilers are often commended for their reliability, compact nature, and effectiveness. The H model is also very affordable! Homeowners who live in one-bedroom flats or homes can expect premium performance for just £750.32.
Best 2022 Boilers for Energy Efficiency
We recommend the Viessmann Vitodens 100-W Combi Gas Boilers for homeowners who want reliable, efficient boilers. It is the only combi boiler on the market that has lambda combustion control. Oxygen starvation and excess is a thing of the past, which means that this boiler is perfectly balanced. It does not use more energy than necessary.
Invest in Better Boilers and Boiler Care
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