What is a Regular (Conventional) Boiler and How Much Do They Cost?
Regular (conventional) boilers cost between £919 and £2,184. These prices are based on the most popular selling regular boilers.
In total, the cost of a regular boiler plus installation averages £2,319 to £4,684.
Considering buying a new conventional boiler? The WhatPrice team has gathered the latest data on regular boiler prices, plus all of the key information you need to make an informed purchase decision.
| Regular boiler | Excluding installation | Approximate installation cost | Total cost with installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average cost range | £919 – £2,184 | £1,400 – £2,500 | £2,319 – £4,684 |
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Introduction to regular (conventional) boilers
Regular boilers are also known as traditional, heat-only or conventional boilers.
How regular boilers work is that they use a cold water storage in the tank and a hot water cylinder. In combination with your boiler, these parts work to fuel your central heating and hot water requirements.
The choice for opting for a conventional style boiler is often when the home is larger, but also has an older plumbing system which would make it unsuitable for a system boiler, which is another option for high demand homes.
Also, while combi boilers can provide hot water on demand, they aren’t geared towards homes with multiple bathrooms. Hence, a regular boiler would be a much better choice.
Overall, regular boilers are a fantastic option for older properties with low water pressure yet high hot water demands.
With so many excellent brands to choose from, upgrading to a new regular boiler can ensure your system gains maximum performance and reliability.
Best regular boilers in 2025
Before we delve into regular boiler prices, let’s take a look at some of the top regular boiler makes and models for 2025.
The following regular (conventional) boilers are those which offer excellence across key areas such as performance, efficiency and reliability.
Viessmann Vitodens 200-W Regular
Boiler sizes: 25kW to 32 kW
Energy efficiency: 94%
Warranty: 7 years (extendable up to 12 years)
The Viessmann Vitodens 200-W boiler is available as a regular, combi or system boiler.
As a regular boiler, it can run on natural gas or LPG.
On the whole, Viessmann are known for their excellent build quality and rated as a WhatPrice best boiler brand. The 200-W features innovative technology such as a self-cleaning heat exchanger. It also has a patented Lambda Pro Plus® combustion control system which automatically ensures your boiler is running efficiently.
While regular boilers might be associated with older properties, WiFi connectivity ensures your boiler can be controlled via the touch of an app. This works to bring your heating and hot water system firmly into the present day.
Vaillant ecoTEC plus
Boiler sizes: 12kW to 35kW
Energy efficiency: 89.2%
Warranty: 5 years (or 10 if installed by a Vaillant accredited technician)
Vaillant refers to its regular boilers as its ‘open vent boiler range’, which is a less common way of describing regular boilers.
Once you’re familiar with the name, you’ll also feel right at home with one of the leading boiler manufacturers on the market.
The ecoTEC plus range is manufactured in Derbyshire and boasts compact and lightweight as two of its main design features.
Beyond the exquisite build quality, a notable feature of Vaillant ecoTEC plus boilers is that they have been tested to accommodate up to 20% hydrogen.
Worcester Bosch Greenstar 8000+ Regular
Boiler sizes: 30kW to 50kW
Energy efficiency: 94%
Warranty: 5 years (extendable up to 12 years if installed by a Worcester Bosch approved technician)
For large properties with multiple bathrooms, the Worcester Bosch Greenstar 8000+ range is a very popular option.
While the power outputs are on the higher side, these increased performance capabilities don’t result in extra noise, as the Greenstar 8000+ range also has Quiet Mark certification. Its glossy appearance also looks the part, especially if installing your boiler in a prominent location such as the kitchen.
As is standard for Worcester Bosch, the energy efficiency of this range is above average compared with other regular boiler makes. The 8000+ also has advanced condensing technology to reduce energy consumption as well as your energy bills.
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Baxi 800 Regular Gas Boiler
Boiler sizes: 16kW to 30kW
Energy efficiency: 93%
Warranty: 1 year as standard (10 years if installed by a Baxi approved technician)
When searching for a regular boiler cost that is on the affordable side, Baxi is one of the top names to check out. With its boilers backed by a 10 year guarantee so long as you choose an approved installer, this can offer peace of mind.
As a heat-only boiler series, the Baxi 800 regular gas boiler has a built-in Adey MagnaClean Micro2 filter to protect your system.
Dubbed a ‘great replacement’ for older generational boilers, Baxi 800 regular boilers are considered a practical choice for larger properties with multiple bathrooms.
Alpha E-TEC Regular
Boiler sizes: 15kW to 25kW
Energy efficiency: 93%
Warranty: 7 years
When affordability is your top priority, another brand to consider is Alpha and its E-TEC regular boiler range.
All boilers need maintenance and while regular boilers are associated with being more complex, Alpha E-TEC boilers are designed to give front access to internal components to make servicing and repairs more straightforward.
The build quality is impressive for an affordable boiler range, including the use of durable components such as a stainless steel heat exchanger.
Another great feature of this boiler is the smart thermostat technology, ensuring you don’t have to miss out on energy management features if opting for a less expensive boiler.
Regular boiler prices
| Brand | Regular boiler size | Typical boiler price (excluding installation) |
|---|---|---|
| Baxi 400 415 | 15kW | £919 |
| Baxi 400 418 | 18kW | £959 |
| Baxi 600 619 | 19kW | £1,152 |
| Baxi 800 816 | 16kW | £1,198 |
| Baxi 800 830 | 30kW | £1,410 |
| Baxi Assure | 30kW | £1,540 |
| Ideal Logic2 | 15kW | £961 |
| Ideal Logic2 | 24kW | £1,051 |
| Ideal Logic2 | 18kW | £1,006 |
| Vaillant ecoFIT pure | 15kW | £1,039 |
| Vaillant ecoFIT pure | 18kW | £1,115 |
| Vaillant ecoTEC Plus | 18kW | £1,191 |
| Vaillant ecoTEC Plus | 24kW | £1,276 |
| Vaillant ecoTEC Plus | 35kW | £1,968 |
| Viessmann Vitodens 100-W | 11kW | £1,198 |
| Viessmann Vitodens 100-W | 16kW | £1,214 |
| Viessmann Vitodens 100-W | 19kW | £1,235 |
| Viessmann Vitodens 100-W | 25kW | £1,370 |
| Worcester Bosch Greenstar | 24kW | £1,180 |
| Worcester Bosch Greenstar | 15kW | £1,056 |
| Worcester Bosch Greenstar | 30kW | £1,351 |
| Worcester Bosch Greenstar | 12kW | £1,008 |
| Worcester Bosch Greenstar | 18kW | £1,107 |
| Worcester Bosch Greenstar 8000+ | 40kW | £2,184 |
Based on our research of the top selling regular boilers, we found prices ranged between
£919 to £2,184. These prices are based on the cost of the boiler only before installation.
On the cheaper end of the scale, Baxi regular boilers are priced from £919. As is the case with other types of boilers, Baxi is one of the most popular manufacturers to consider when looking for a budget-friendly option.
The Worcester Bosch Greenstar range has some affordable boiler options if opting for a lower size (kW) boiler. However, if you’re in search of a very powerful regular boiler, expect to pay £2,184 for a 40kW model from its Greenstar 8000+ range.
As you might expect, the manufacturer and boiler size will ultimately dictate how much a conventional boiler costs. However, these prices are a handy reference point as they include all of the leading manufacturers and most popular boilers overall.
Regular boiler installation costs
| Regular boiler | Excluding installation | Approximate installation cost | Total cost with installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average cost range | £919 – £2,184 | £1,400 – £2,500 | £2,319 – £4,684 |
The typical regular boiler cost when pricing up installation only starts at £1,400 and can average up to £2,500.
With the cost of the boiler and installation combined, a new regular boiler can cost between £2,319 and £4,684.
As you might expect, this price fluctuation and also the potential to be quoted above these amounts all depend on the scope of the job.
If you are opting for a like-for-like boiler swap and also don’t require any upgrades to your hot water cylinder or loft tank, expect to pay less.
But, if you will be installing a regular boiler for the first time, or if significant changes are required to your pipework, cylinder or tank, the job will be more expensive.
There will also be large variations in the average regular boiler cost depending on the manufacturer and size of the boiler you choose.
💡Top tip: Find out how much homeowners in your area have paid for boiler installations by viewing their price submissions on WhatPrice.
What else impacts the cost of installing a conventional boiler?
- Your location in the UK including the average plumber rates in your area, plus the availability of regular boiler installers near you
- Complex installation requiring additional help or extra time to complete
- The time of year as the seasonal demand for plumbers can also impact the price (summer can be cheaper due to lower demand)
Taking your time to collect at least 2-3 quotes can help you get the best price for a regular boiler installation.
💡Handy tip: Use our boiler installation cost calculator to see how much you should expect to pay to have your new boiler installed.
Running costs & efficiency of regular boilers
| Average gas cost per hour | Average electricity cost per hour | Gas standing charge | Electricity standing charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.4p per kW/hr | 24.5p per kW/hr | 31.4p per day | 60.1p per day |
The cost of running a new regular boiler will depend on its power output.
Our research found that regular boilers are available in sizes of between 4kW and 55kW.
You will notice that this lower starting point of 4kW is greatly reduced compared with other boiler types. That’s because the likes of combi boilers are sized for hot water production, whereas regular boilers are not.
With the vast majority of UK homes having a heat requirement under 10kW, it may be the case that you can run your system on a much smaller boiler, which may also be cheaper to run.
**A kilowatt-hour (kWh) refers to one kilowatt of power for one hour.
Advantages of regular boilers
Choosing the best boiler depends on what would work best for your specific property and overall usage needs.
As a homeowner with an existing regular boiler, it might make sense from a practical and financial standpoint to upgrade to a new regular boiler.
But if you are new to conventional boilers in general, these are some of the top advantages you can enjoy with this particular boiler type.
Great for older properties
Unfortunately, modern boiler types like combi and system boilers usually aren’t compatible with older plumbing systems. The reason is because older radiator systems (which typically have low water pressure) struggle to cope with the higher pressure of modern system and combi boilers. Therefore, regular boilers ensure that you can still have a boiler installed in your property.
Backup hot water supply
Should your combi boiler break down you will be without heating and hot water until it’s fixed. With a regular boiler, hot water is stored in a cylinder, meaning you’ll still have access to hot water during breakdowns or while the boiler undergoes maintenance. You can also backup your hot water supply with an immersion heater.
Can provide a high hot water capacity
Unlike combi boilers which heat hot water on demand, regular boilers store hot water in a cylinder. Plus, as we’ve just mentioned you can also backup your hot water supply with an immersion heater. These two factors combined can cater to the demands of larger properties including if you want to run more than one shower at once. Just be sure to choose a cylinder that is large enough to cater to your household requirements to avoid running out of hot water.
Efficient for larger homes
Although regular boilers rank slightly lower than combi and system boilers for typical energy efficiency, they are still considered an efficient system for larger homes overall. In particular, upgrading an old and inefficient regular boiler to a newer model can offer an instant upgrade in energy efficiency.
Solar technology compatible
The option to add solar panels has always made sense for larger homes, which typically have far higher energy bills than smaller properties. With many regular boilers being solar compatible, this setup can drastically cut the cost of heating your home.
Regular boilers vs. other boiler types
| Feature | Regular boiler | Combi boiler | System boiler |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geared towards | Large homes with traditional plumbing systems | Small to medium homes | Medium to large homes |
| Hot water supply | Stored in a hot water cylinder | Water is heated on demand | Stored in a hot water cylinder |
| Installation complexity | Complex | Straightforward in most cases | Moderate |
| Is a water tank in the loft required? | Yes | No | No (A hot water cylinder is required although it doesn’t need to be stored in the loft) |
| Water pressure requirements | Suitable for low water pressure areas | Requires good pressure | Requires good pressure |
| Maintenance | Complex | Simple due to the least number of components and the lack of tank and cylinder | Moderate |
| Energy efficiency (typical rating when newly installed) | 90% | 95% | 94% |
Stay with a regular boiler if: Your home has a traditional plumbing system (i.e. in older or larger homes). You don’t want to pay to convert to a different boiler system, or it’s not feasible due to your property having low water pressure.
Consider a system boiler if: You also have a home that is on the large side, but it doesn’t have the same limitations that would rule a system boiler out (i.e. your property doesn’t have poor water pressure). Also, removing the water tank from the loft would free up much-needed space in your home.
Opt for a combi boiler when: You’re a homeowner with just one bathroom meaning you have low to moderate hot water demands. Also, when you don’t want to rely on a tank or cylinder and instead want hot water on demand. Overall, you want a more simplistic system that is easier to install and maintain. Ultimately, when your property or budget doesn’t have limits that would rule out switching from a conventional boiler.
Considerations before choosing a regular boiler
No two boilers are the same and neither are the properties they are installed in. When it comes to getting a regular boiler installed, these are some of the top considerations based on the specific nuances of these more traditional systems.
Is a regular boiler right for your home?: In short, your property will have multiple bathrooms and also an older style of plumbing which you don’t want to or cannot convert. Both of these issues combined would rule out suitability for a combi or system boiler.
Do you have the necessary space?: If you are going to be replacing an existing regular boiler, you will already have the hot water cylinder and feed tank in the loft, plus the boiler itself. But for new regular boiler installations, or if any of your existing equipment requires upgrading or relocating, this may take up extra space in your home.
Does your home have poor water pressure?: Often, a regular boiler is the best option if your property cannot maintain a strong or consistent water pressure. That’s because regular boilers use a gravity-fed tank to supply water which can help bypass this issue.
The supply can run out: Depending on the size of your water cylinder, it is possible to run out of hot water during periods of high demand (i.e. when you have guests staying over). If your existing boiler isn’t able to meet demand, you will need to include the cost of upgrading your cylinder capacity. As a general rule, 20-30 litres is considered low consumption with anything up to 50-70 litres considered high consumption.
Impact on household energy efficiency: All newer boilers will boast increased energy efficiency compared with older models. But with a regular boiler, the overall energy efficiency will be less than other boiler types. Pairing a new regular boiler with solar panels is the best way to maximise your overall household energy efficiency and lower your energy bills.
Finding a reliable regular boiler installer
Since regular boilers are less common than combi boilers, you might need to do more research to find quotes for a new regular boiler installation.
An essential starting point is the Gas Safe Register to find an engineer for gas boilers. Or, if your boiler is oil-fired, the engineer should be on the Competent Person Scheme.
Beyond looking at online reviews, you should also see if the engineer has any relevant trader accreditations, including those related to the plumbing and heating industry.
Use our free service to get up to 3 competitive quotes today.
Looking for a new boiler?
Get free quotes and compare prices with our simple enquiry form today
Regular boiler prices FAQs
Have a question about how much it costs to get a regular boiler installed? We’ve answered some of the most popular queries below.
For anything else, check out the rest of our boiler content where we cover prices and reviews for all the major boiler manufacturers.
Why is conventional boiler installation more expensive than combi boilers?
Conventional boilers are typically more complicated to install which is why they also have a higher installation cost compared with other boiler types.
Furthermore, when getting a conventional boiler installed, your feed tank in the loft or hot water cylinder may also require replacing. In general, conventional boilers are also associated with needing more pipework, especially if any changes have to be made.
Another aspect to consider is the availability of conventional boiler installers near you. Given combi and system boilers are more popular, it may be more challenging to find engineers who are qualified in conventional systems. If the engineer has to travel further, or if there isn’t much competition in the area, they may charge more for their services.
Should I replace my conventional boiler with a combi boiler?
It is not always possible to change a conventional boiler with a combi boiler. That’s because traditional heating and hot water systems are sometimes unable to cope with the higher water pressure delivered by combi boilers. Therefore, conventional boilers are frequently installed in areas with low water pressure.
Also, conventional boilers are geared towards high hot water demands which combi boilers cannot always meet.
If for any reason you are thinking of getting rid of your existing conventional boiler, you will need to get independent advice over whether upgrading to a newer model or converting your system to accommodate another boiler type would be the best option.
Just be prepared that if you can convert your system, the job will be considerably more expensive than the typical regular boiler cost (i.e. a like-for-like swap).
Is a conventional boiler cheaper to run than a combi boiler?
For smaller homes (i.e. 1-2 bathrooms) a combi boiler is typically cheaper to run. However, combi boilers are not suited for properties which have high water demands, or where the traditional plumbing and heating system would not be compatible.
As a homeowner, you would need to weigh up the price between running a conventional boiler vs converting to another boiler type that could meet demand such as a system boiler.
Alternatively, installing solar panels is another way to run a conventional boiler and save money, especially if converting to another boiler type isn’t feasible practically or financially.
What factors affect the total cost of a conventional boiler?
The cost of a conventional (regular) boiler will depend on the boiler make, boiler size, installation costs, additional components (i.e. new tanks) and smart controls installation.
Similar to other types of boilers, the closer your new boiler is to your existing one in terms of being installed in the same location and also not requiring any modifications to your property, the cheaper it will be to install.
Overall, converting from another boiler type to a conventional boiler would be the most expensive type of installation.
Are conventional boilers energy efficient?
Compared with combi and system boilers, conventional boilers have a slightly lower energy efficiency overall. For instance, where new combi boilers average 95% efficiency, new conventional boilers average 90% efficiency.
The reason why conventional boilers are less efficient is that they require more complex systems, which ultimately cost more to run.
That said, if switching from an old conventional boiler, modern conventional boilers can be extremely energy efficient in comparison. Our research suggests this like-for-like swap can increase the efficiency of a conventional boiler by as much as 20%.
Since conventional boilers are also compatible with solar thermal systems, adding solar panels is something to consider to reduce your energy consumption and energy bills.
What size conventional boiler do I need for my home?
When weighing up regular boiler prices, one of the biggest factors that will impact the total cost is the size of the boiler you need.
Similar to buying another type of boiler, the boiler size (kW) will depend on the number of bathrooms and radiators your property has. The higher the demand, the larger the boiler size will need to be.
Your chosen regular boiler manufacturer will state the suitability for each boiler size before you go ahead.
Good to note: As mentioned above, the kW outputs for other boiler types (i.e. combi boilers) seem bigger because they include hot water production. Most homes in the UK have a heat requirement of under 10kW meaning a smaller heat-only boiler will often suffice.