Top Combi Boilers in 2024: Best Combi Boiler Models and Government Grants in the UK

Are you tired of high energy bills and looking for a smarter heating solution? Combi boilers are a top choice for homeowners due to their space-saving design and excellent energy efficiency. If you're considering an upgrade in 2024, a combi boiler could be the perfect investment. With so many models available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. But don't worry—we've done the research to bring you the best combi boilers in the UK. Plus, we'll guide you on how to use government grants to upgrade to a new, efficient boiler for free. Let’s find the best option for your home and budget.

How We Selected the Top Combi Boilers for 2024

Here’s what we looked at to pick the top combi boilers for you:

• Efficiency: One of the most important factors for choosing the best combi boiler is its energy efficiency. High-efficiency boilers deliver more heat with the same amount of energy, making them both cost-effective and eco-friendly. Choosing an A-rated boiler means you'll save on heating costs and reduce your carbon footprint. Many of these boilers use condensing technology to recycle waste heat, achieving efficiency ratings of over 90%. This ensures you get the most out of every unit of energy, keeping your home warm and your environmental impact low.
• Heating and hot water output: When choosing a boiler, it's crucial to consider its heating and hot water output to ensure it meets your home’s demands. A common misconception is that a higher output is always better. In reality, if you have a small home and choose a boiler with excessive power, you'll end up wasting fuel and energy, which leads to higher bills and unnecessary carbon emissions. Choosing a boiler with the right output ensures it runs efficiently, uses fuel optimally, and remains cost-effective. To get the best performance, match the boiler's capacity to your home's size and hot water requirements.
• Brand reputation: Checking customer reviews provides first hand insights into how a boiler performs under real-world conditions and sheds light on the quality of the manufacturer's customer service. Furthermore, awards from reputable organisations can signal a brand’s reliability and innovation.
• Warranty: Boilers that come with a long warranty are generally more reliable, reflecting the manufacturer's confidence in the product's durability. A lengthy warranty period suggests that the manufacturer expects the boiler to function well for many years without major problems. This assurance not only provides peace of mind that if anything goes wrong, the costs are covered but also often indicates better build quality and superior components.
• Smart home compatibility: Many modern combi boilers are designed to work seamlessly with smart thermostats, giving you the convenience of controlling your heating remotely. With a smart thermostat, you can easily adjust your boiler's settings and optimise energy usage from anywhere using a smartphone app. This capability not only enhances comfort but also helps in managing energy consumption more efficiently.
• Price and value for money: While it’s important to stay within your budget, don’t compromise on essential features and quality. Compare prices and features to ensure you get the best value for your investment.

Why You Should Get a Combi Boiler

Combi boilers have rapidly become the UK's top choice, and it's easy to see why. These modern systems provide several advantages over traditional boilers, making them ideal for a wide range of homes. From their space-saving design to their energy efficiency, combi boilers are a smart upgrade for any household.

• Compact design: They provide both heating and hot water from one single unit and have no need for a separate water tank or cylinder. This makes them a great option for smaller homes or properties where space is limited.
• On-demand hot water: Unlike traditional boilers that store hot water, combi boilers heat water on demand. This way, you don't need to wait for the tank to refill and reheat and can have a continuous supply of hot water anytime you want.
• Environmental benefits: Modern combi boilers are designed to be highly efficient, achieving energy efficiencies of over 90%. This means they need less fuel to produce enough heat which reduces the amount of carbon emissions they produce. They are also compatible with renewable energy sources such as solar panels which helps cut down on harmful emissions and promotes sustainable energy use.

Top Combi Boilers of 2024

To help you make an informed decision on which combi boiler to buy, we have gathered a list of the top combi boiler options based on their reliability, efficiency and customer reviews.

For guidance on the best overall boilers, check out our article on the Best Boilers in the UK 2024.

Viessmann Vitodens 100-W Combi

The Viessmann Vitodens 100-W combi boiler, designed to be wall-mounted, offers three power outputs: 26kW, 30kW, and 35kW, catering to a range of home sizes. With remarkable energy efficiency of up to 98%, this boiler not only cuts down on energy bills but also promotes environmental sustainability. It also comes with a reassuring 10-year standard warranty.

What really distinguishes the Vitodens 100-W from its competitors is its stainless steel heat exchanger. Unlike aluminium, stainless steel is exceptionally durable and corrosion-resistant, guaranteeing long-term performance and reliability.

Worcester Bosch Greenstar 8000 Style Combi

Dubbed the "beautiful beast," the Worcester Bosch Greenstar 8000 blends sleek design with remarkable functionality. Its energy efficiency rating of 94% ensures high water flow rates while remaining whisper-quiet, perfect for any room without causing disruptions.

This versatile combi boiler is available in power outputs from 30kW to 50kW, making it suitable for homes of all sizes. With the optional Intelligent Filling System, maintaining system pressure is hassle-free, as it automatically takes care of manual top-ups.

The boiler's full-colour LCD display, coupled with intuitive push-button controls, makes monitoring performance and adjusting settings straightforward. Plus, it pairs seamlessly with Bosch EasyControl, enabling you to manage your heating from anywhere using your smartphone.

For those who seek peace of mind, the Greenstar 8000 offers an extended warranty of up to 12 years when installed by a Worcester accredited installer. With its advanced technology, efficiency, and user-friendly features, this boiler is a top-notch choice for any home upgrading its heating system.

Vaillant ecoTEC Plus Combi

The Vaillant ecoTEC Plus combi boilers stand out for their efficiency and reliability, boasting up to 93% energy efficiency. With power outputs ranging from 25kW to 38kW, these boilers cater to various home sizes and heating needs. Their Quiet Mark accreditation ensures they operate quietly, making them suitable for any room without causing disruption.

Much like the Viessmann Vitodens 100-W, the Vaillant ecoTEC Plus uses durable stainless steel heat exchangers for long-lasting performance and reliability. It comes with a standard 5-year warranty, which can be extended, sometimes at an additional cost.

The boiler’s user-friendly display shows fault codes, making troubleshooting and repairs easier for you or your engineer. It’s also compatible with the Vaillant vSMART app and other smart thermostats like Hive and Nest, allowing for remote control and efficient energy management.

Ideal Vogue MAX Combi

The Ideal Vogue MAX combi boilers are engineered for top-tier energy efficiency, reaching up to 93%. They come with a 10-year standard warranty, extendable to 12 years when installed by an Ideal accredited installer. Available in 26kW, 32kW, and 40kW power outputs, these boilers can meet the heating demands of various home sizes.

A key feature of the Ideal Vogue MAX is its large, backlit LCD display with intuitive controls, making operation straightforward and efficient. Additionally, these boilers offer a choice between a stainless steel or aluminium heat exchanger, adding a level of versatility not commonly found in other models.

Baxi Platinum Compact Combi

The Baxi Platinum Compact combi boiler is a highlight in Baxi's premium range, renowned for its outstanding reliability and efficiency. With an impressive 92% energy efficiency rating, this boiler offers cost-effective and eco-friendly heating solutions for homes of various sizes. Available in power outputs from 24kW to 40kW, it caters to the heating and hot water demands of everything from small apartments to larger homes with multiple bathrooms. Its compact design, fitting into a 290mm deep kitchen cupboard, makes it perfect for homes with limited space.

The Baxi Platinum Compact also delivers a high hot water flow rate of up to 16.4 litres per minute, ensuring a consistent supply of hot water for your household needs. The EasyFill feature allows for simple pressure top-ups without requiring an engineer, enhancing its user-friendly design. Additionally, this model includes frost protection to prevent freezing during colder months and a built-in mechanical clock for scheduling heating times. Made in the UK with high-quality brass components, it guarantees durability and longevity. Plus, it comes with a 7-year parts and labour warranty, providing homeowners with peace of mind.

Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Government Grant

The ECO4 scheme is here to help low-income and vulnerable households upgrade their boilers and other appliances without breaking the bank. This government initiative offers both full and partial funding for a range of energy-efficiency improvements, all part of the UK's plan to achieve total decarbonisation by 2050.

One of the great benefits of ECO4 is that it supports replacing old, inefficient boilers. But there's a catch: the new boiler must be eco-friendly and highly energy-efficient. Fortunately, combi boilers, known for their efficiency, qualify under this scheme. Plus, the program encourages using heat pumps and other renewable energy sources to boost your home's energy efficiency even more.

If you're curious about government grants for heat pumps and how they can benefit you, check out our article on Air Source Heat Pump Grants 2024 for detailed information.

ECO4 Eligibility Criteria

Here’s a detailed look at the eligibility criteria for the ECO4 combi boiler grant:

General Eligibility Criteria

• Property Ownership:
  • Homeowners or private tenants are eligible.
  • Social housing tenants might also qualify under specific conditions.
• Location:
  • The scheme is available to residents in England, Wales, and Scotland.
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Rating:
  • Properties must have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G to qualify.

Income-Based Benefits Eligibility

To qualify for the ECO4 scheme, you or someone in your household must receive at least one of the following income-based benefits:

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Universal Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Pension Credit Savings Credit
• Child Benefit

Local Authority Flexibility

Under the ECO4 scheme, local authorities have the flexibility to refer households that do not meet the standard criteria but are still considered vulnerable to fuel poverty. This includes:

• Households with a gross income of less than £31,000.
• Households facing financial hardship or having members aged 65+ or children under school age.
• Households with specific health conditions such as cardiovascular issues, respiratory conditions, or mobility impairments.

Specific Requirements for Boiler Grants

• Existing Boiler Condition:
  • The current boiler must be inefficient, faulty, or broken.
  • Boilers that can be repaired efficiently are less likely to be replaced under the scheme.
• Replacement with Energy-Efficient Systems:
  • The scheme prioritises replacing old boilers with energy-efficient models, often preferring greener alternatives like heat pumps or biomass boilers.

Check Your Eligibility and Apply with ByEco!

Want to apply for government grants for your new combi boiler but don't know where to start? We've got your back Just fill out our form to check your eligibility. Our team will review your details and get in touch to arrange a comprehensive home assessment. If you qualify, we take care of everything from beginning to end, ensuring you receive all the funding you deserve. And the best part? Thanks to our partnership with the government, all our services are absolutely free.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team is always ready to help.

Trust ByEco to transform your home into an eco-friendly haven at no cost. Start your journey to a more efficient home today!

Top Combi Boilers in 2024 How We Selected the Top Combi Boilers for 2024 Why You Should Get a Combi Boiler Top Combi Boilers of 2024 Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Government Grant ECO4 Eligibility Criteria Check Your Eligibility and Apply with ByEco!