| With people struggling to bring budget costs under | | | | in the house (which is why a high water pressure |
| control, heating and hot water are two areas | | | | is recommended) They are also limited in their |
| where it makes sense to conserve. Combi boilers | | | | heating factor by the amount of the water flow, |
| help with that effort by providing a low-cost, | | | | though some of them do have a small tank which |
| compact means of heating in relatively tight areas. | | | | provides somewhat of a backup. The biggest |
| They've been in use overseas for several years | | | | drawback is the fact that if they do break down |
| and may be the right fit for certain houses | | | | the house is stuck without hot water until it is |
| depending upon the size of the house, number of | | | | repaired (although its maintenance is claimed to be |
| bathrooms and overall water pressure of the | | | | a lot simpler than conventional boilers according to |
| house. | | | | service professionals). |
| Combination boilers, as opposed to more | | | | Combi boilers can range in price from $1,500 to |
| conventional systems, don't store domestic hot | | | | five figures. Factors influencing their price include |
| water for use. Rather they heat up water as it is | | | | whether or not they have a secondary tank to |
| drawn from the main water line. This is achieved | | | | supplement their draw from the main line. In order |
| by merging an unvented boiler with a second | | | | to compare two different models both the flow |
| heating circuit that ensures the water is hot all the | | | | rate and temperature rise need to be factored in |
| time. They are small, compact, and stored in a | | | | (a lower temperature rise means a higher flow, |
| single unit, which makes them perfect for | | | | and vice versa). Reviews can be found all around |
| apartments and other small spaces. They are | | | | the web, though many of them will have a |
| much more popular in the United Kingdom than | | | | decidedly European feel to them. |
| they are in the United States, but they can be | | | | In this time of economic frugality combi boilers |
| found in the US as well. | | | | provide a reasonable way to heat your water |
| Combi boilers have their drawbacks and limitations, | | | | while keeping costs down. In the right situation, |
| though. They should not be used in houses with | | | | they can be a life saver, but a homeowner must |
| multiple bathrooms or in houses with low water | | | | be realistic in evaluating not only their promise, but |
| pressure. They limit the flow rate of all appliances | | | | their limitations and comparisons as well. |