Gas Boilers Ireland

Gas boilers work fairly simply. Gas is brought into the boiler, either from the mains of an LPG tank, and burned in the combustion chamber in order to heat water.

This fuels either the closed loop of the central heating system, where the hot water is pumped away from the boiler into the radiator, and returns as it cools, or creating hot water for taps in the home.

What happens with that heated water depends on the type of system you have. A Conventional Boiler will send it to a hot water tank for storage, while a Combi Boiler pipes hot water directly to taps.

The boiler is controlled by the thermostat which is used to determine whether the central heating or hot water is on, as well as controlling the preferred temperature.

There are many components in gas boilers which are common to all types of systems and some which are only found in specific variations. The three primary components of the boiler as the gas valve, the combustion chamber, and the heat exchanger. 

These three create the necessary conditions for using gas to boil water. Other components ensure the safe operation of the boiler and the effective flow of water around the system.

There are three main types of boilers separate from whether we are talking about gas, oil, electric, or biomass as a fuel source. These are:

All of them operate the same basic function of burning gas to heat water. The main differences between them are related to water storage methods.

A Regular Boiler, or Conventional Boiler has two separate circuits, heating water for the central heating system in a closed loop, and being fed water from a cold water tank for hot water needs. This water is pumped to a hot water cylinder where it is stored for later use. 

The hot water cylinder is ideal for households with multiple people as it can sustain greater demand in a short period. However, once it is used up the boiler has to heat an entire tank of water again. This can be inefficient if it leaves more water than is needed at the end of the day.

A system boiler works in much the same way as a regular boiler except that it has fewer parts, making it simpler to install and maintain. It will also take up less space. The main difference is that there is no separate cold-water tank or expansion cylinder in a system boiler.

The system is fed directly from the main rather than needing a cold water tank, and the function of the expansion cylinder is built directly into the boiler.

A Combi or Combination Boiler is so called because it combines the hot water and central heating systems within a single unit. Rather than having a cold water cistern and a hot water tank, Combi Boilers are connected directly to the water mains, and produce hot water on demand extremely quickly.

Combi Boilers are highly efficient and take up very little space. However, their weakness is that the lack of a hot water tank can make them unsuitable for homes with higher demand for hot water, or which have low water pressure. 

If multiple people run taps at once the system will struggle to keep up, and they cannot run hot water and central heating at the same time.

There are many brands of boilers in Ireland with differing strengths and weaknesses based on their cost, output size, system type, and warranties.

Customers should shop around to ensure they have the right boiler for their needs. Three of the most high-quality and popular brands in Ireland are:

Take our online boiler assessment and we will recommend the best boiler for your needs.

The average lifespan of a gas boiler before it needs replacement will be in the area of 15 – 20 years depending on the quality of the boiler. An entry-level boiler might start to wear out after as little as 10 years, so it is generally recommended to invest in a product which is better value in the long term.

Warranties for gas boilers will depend on the manufacturer and the system model, but most will be in the range of 8 – 12 years.

The average cost of a gas boiler for the majority of customers will be somewhere in the range of €1,500 – €3,500 based on the make and power output, typically up to around 35kW for this price range.

Larger boilers up to 50kW in output suitable for very large homes or businesses can cost in the region of €6,000.

There isn’t much difference between the cost of Combi Boilers and Traditional Boilers themselves. However, the Combi Boiler will have a lower installation cost, as it’s simpler to install without needing a water tank. They are also less likely to have maintenance issues with the simpler system.

Once you know what the expected lifespan of a boiler is, there are signs that you should keep an eye out for that will let you know that it could be time to start looking for a replacement.

Oil Boilers and Gas Boilers are the two competing systems which still rely on burning fossil fuels for heat. Both systems have different strengths and weaknesses based on their convenience, energy efficiency, environmental performance, and costs.

If you’re thinking of changing or replacing your boiler, take our assessment to get a free quote on what a new system will cost you.

Speak with Energy Efficiency today for a FREE quote!