Many homes across Devon, Somerset and Dorset, particularly older rural properties, still run on traditional heating systems. These setups typically rely on cold water storage tanks in the loft, a separate hot water cylinder in the airing cupboard, and a conventional boiler. They can work well, but they take up valuable space, involve more components and are often far less efficient than modern alternatives.
Converting to a combination (combi) boiler is one of the most popular upgrades we carry out here at Synergi. It simplifies your heating system, frees up space and, when the right boiler is chosen for your home, can make a real difference to your energy bills.
Synergi engineers Fin and Jordan walk us through a recent combi conversion they completed, fitting a new Worcester Bosch energy-efficient combination boiler for a local homeowner. This is what the process looks like from start to finish.
How Long Does a Combi Boiler Conversion Take?
This is usually one of the first questions we get asked. For most properties, a combi boiler conversion can be completed within one to two days. More involved installations, where significant pipework changes are needed, or where loft tanks are difficult to access, may take a little longer.
One of the advantages of working with a local team like Synergi is that our engineers can assess your property in person and give you an accurate timeframe before any work begins. We’ve completed over 4,000 boiler installations across the South West, so we’re well placed to know what your specific property is likely to need.
How Much Does a Combi Boiler Conversion Cost?
Cost is naturally one of the first things homeowners want to understand. The price of a combi conversion varies depending on the size of your property, how complex the existing system is, which boiler model is right for your home and how much pipework adaptation is needed.
As a general guide, most combi boiler conversions fall in the region of £1,500 to £3,500, including supply and installation. The right figure for your home will depend on your specific circumstances, which is why we always recommend a proper assessment before quoting.
We also offer flexible finance options, including 0% APR over 24 months, so the cost doesn’t have to be a barrier to getting the right system installed. Get in touch with the Synergi team for a no-obligation quote tailored to your home.
Is a Combi Boiler Right for Your South West Home?
Combi boilers are an excellent choice for many homes, but they’re not the right fit for every property. This is particularly relevant in South West, where a large proportion of homes are older rural properties with specific heating demands.
A few things are worth considering:
- Mains water pressure: Combi boilers heat water directly from the mains, so adequate mains pressure is important. In some rural parts of Devon, mains pressure can be lower, our engineers will check this as part of any assessment.
- Property size and hot water demand: Combi boilers deliver hot water on demand rather than storing it, which suits most households well. For larger homes with multiple bathrooms and high simultaneous demand, we’ll discuss whether a combi or system boiler is the better solution.
- Gas or oil: Many properties in rural Devon and Somerset are not connected to mains gas. Synergi also install and service oil-fired combi boilers, so we can advise on the best option regardless of your fuel type.
Every property is different. Our engineers take the time to assess your home properly before making any recommendation.
Out with the tanks, in with the power. Good bye gravity fed system, hello combi. This customer got Synergi in to remove their in efficient and costly boiler upgrading to a Worcester Bosch 4000 combi boiler. This boiler brings a Ferrari engine like power to heating and hot water demands. This install was carried out by our engineer Finley and is one of many examples of where precision meets quality.
Understanding Traditional Heating Systems
Traditional heating systems, often called regular or conventional boiler systems, are still common in older Devon properties. Unlike a combi boiler, these systems rely on several separate components working together as part of your central heating setup. They typically include:
- A boiler
- A hot water cylinder (usually in an airing cupboard)
- Cold water storage tanks in the loft
- Expansion tanks to regulate water pressure
These systems rely on stored water and gravity-fed pressure from the loft tanks. They served homes well for decades, but they’re more complex, require more maintenance and take up considerably more space than modern alternatives.
A combi boiler removes all of that, heating water directly from the mains supply and delivering both heating and hot water from a single, compact unit.
Step 1: Safely Decommissioning the Existing System
The first stage of any conversion is to safely decommission what’s already there. For this installation, Fin and Jordan began by isolating the existing boiler and fully draining down the heating system, an essential step to ensure everything can be safely dismantled without risk of leaks or water damage during the work.
This preparation stage also gives the engineers a clear picture of the existing pipework layout, which informs how the new system will be configured.
Step 2: Removing the Loft Tanks and Hot Water Cylinder
This is often the stage homeowners most look forward to. As part of the conversion, Fin and Jordan removed:
- The cold water storage tanks from the loft
- The hot water cylinder from the airing cupboard
- All associated pipework connected to the old system
For this homeowner, removing the cylinder freed up the entire airing cupboard, a change that’s easy to underestimate until you have that space back. Clearing the loft of tanks and pipework also reduces the risk of frozen pipes in winter, which can be a real concern in colder, more rural parts of Devon.
Step 3: Adapting the Pipework
A combi boiler distributes hot water differently from a traditional system, so the existing pipework needs to be adapted to suit. This is a critical part of the job, poorly configured pipework can affect both performance and efficiency, regardless of how good the boiler itself is.
During this installation, Fin and Jordan rerouted and adapted the pipework to integrate the new boiler correctly. This stage also involves checking flow rates and system pressure, and in some cases recommending a power flush to clear any sludge or debris from the system before the new boiler is commissioned. All connections are checked to ensure they meet current safety and Building Regulations standards.
Getting the pipework right is what ensures reliable, consistent performance, it’s not an area to cut corners on.
Step 4: Installing the New Worcester Bosch Combi Boiler
With the system prepared and pipework adapted, Fin and Jordan installed the new Worcester Bosch combination boiler.
Synergi are proud to be Worcester Bosch accredited installers. Worcester Bosch are consistently rated among the most reliable boiler brands available, awarded Which? Best Buy status for quality and reliability and they come with strong manufacturer warranties when fitted by an accredited installer.
The key advantages that make combi boilers so popular include:
- Hot water on demand: No waiting for a tank to heat up, and no risk of running out
- Compact footprint: The entire system fits within one wall-mounted unit
- Improved energy efficiency: Modern combi boilers only heat the water you use, when you use it and pairing one with smart heating controls can maximise those savings further
- Fewer components to maintain: Simpler systems mean easier, less costly annual servicing
“Jordan and Fin were absolutely brilliant – polite, informative, clean and extremely hardworking. We couldn’t be happier with the result.”
— Synergi customer, Devon
The Result: A Simpler, More Efficient Heating System
Following the installation, the homeowner now benefits from a modernised heating system that is simpler to run, more efficient and easier to maintain. By converting from a traditional setup, the property gained:
- A streamlined heating system with fewer components
- Improved efficiency from a modern, accredited boiler installation
- Reclaimed storage space following removal of tanks and cylinder
- Reliable heating and hot water delivered directly from the mains
Once your new boiler is installed, it’s also worth considering one of our heating and boiler care plans to keep it running at its best and protect your investment long term. Our annual boiler servicing is a straightforward, hassle-free way to stay on top of maintenance and keep your warranty valid.
Thinking About Converting to a Combi Boiler?
Every property is different, and not all homes are ideally suited to a combi boiler system. Factors such as property size, water pressure and hot water demand all play an important role in determining the right solution, and for homes across Devon and the South West, those factors can vary considerably.
At Synergi, our engineers carefully assess each property before making any recommendation. We’re a local, independent team based in Honiton, serving homeowners across Devon, Somerset and Dorset, and with over 4,000 boiler installations behind us, we know these homes and what they need.
Costs vary depending on your property and requirements, and we always recommend getting in touch for a personalised quote. We also offer 0% finance over 24 months to help spread the cost.
Contact the Synergi team today for a free, no-obligation assessment and let us help you find the right heating solution for your home.
