Is this Baxi Duo-tec 28 boiler a combi, system or regular boiler?

You may wish to consider installing the Baxi Duo-tec 28 if you are looking for a combi boiler for your house or flat.

Traditionally, boilers needed one or more large tanks installed in your property to store their heated water or water that was to be heated later. These tanks were often too large to be practical for most homes so the combi boiler was introduced to Britain in the 1970s by manufacturers to help homeowners overcome this issue.

Instead of using tanks as storage, a combi boiler heats water on demand. It draws water from the mains and heats it instantly on demand before distributing it to wherever it is needed in a property, be it your taps or radiators.

Unfortunately, combi boilers have one main disadvantage for larger properties or larger households. Because they have a maximum volume of water that can be heated on demand at any given time, water pressure, volume and temperature will drop if, for example, someone is taking a shower and another person in your home wants to use a hot water tap at the same time.

Should I choose a Baxi Duo-tec 28 combi boiler for my house or flat?

Whether this Baxi Duo-tec 28 Combi boiler is right for where you live depends on its size or what its "output" level is. Size does not mean its physical dimensions, however - it means how powerful it is.

The output of a boiler is measured in kilowatts and indicates how much energy it can use to heat the water needed for your radiators, taps and showers. The greater the output, the more water it can heat.

A boiler whose output is too high will give you hot water and warm radiators but also higher gas bills, whereas a boiler whose output is too low will result in cheaper gas bills but the water might not always be as hot as you want it to be.

The output of the Baxi Duo-tec 28 combi is 28 kW, so which types of property would this model be appropriate for?

An experienced PlumbProud heating engineer would recommend that the most suitable type of property for a Baxi Duo-tec 28 combi would be medium-sized homes and larger apartments containing 10-15 radiators and providing hot water for two bathrooms.

As well as the output rate, you need to consider "flow rate" when choosing a combi boiler.

The flow rate describes how much water a combi boiler can draw from the mains, instantly heat, and then send to your radiators. Flow rates are measured in litres per second and this Baxi Duo-tec 28 Combi boiler's flow rate is 12 L/m.

The water in your mains pipe also has its own flow rate - normally between 10 and 12l/m in most parts of Britain. This means that, if you choose a combi boiler with a flow rate of 17l/m where local water pressure is 11lm, it won't actually process more water because of the slower flow rate of the mains.

In addition, larger households with more than one bathroom, multiple radiators, and where family members may want to use hot water at the same time (like morning showers) may actually need a boiler with a higher flow rate than either the boiler or the local mains pipe.

When our engineer comes out to quote you, they may recommend that you choose a heat only boiler or system boiler instead if your family's demand for hot water is higher than normal.

What is the size of the Baxi Duo-tec 28?

The Baxi Duo-tec 28 measures 780 mm in height and has a width of 450 mm and a depth of 345 mm.

Baxi Duo-tec 28 – condensing or non-condensing?

We recommend that, if possible, you choose a condensing boiler like the Baxi Duo-tec 28.

Condensing boilers are more energy-efficient. They achieve this efficiency by capturing the heat present in flue exhaust gases and water vapour condensation and recycling that heat to, for example, warm colder water coming back from your radiators.

By choosing the latest condensing boiler, you'll also notice a significant reduction in your gas bills, particularly if you're replacing a boiler more than 15 years old.

Is the Baxi Duo-tec 28 combi good for the environment?

How we heat our homes and the damage this does to the environment has become a pressing concern for many homeowners worried about the effects and impact of climate change.

The heating of our homes accounts for 14% of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions. Especially in the big cities, gas boilers are responsible for dangerous levels of nitrogen dioxide emissions.

Will choosing to install a Baxi Duo-tec 28 combi in your home help the environment? Let's review the figures.

Every boiler manufactured and supplied in the UK must have an energy efficiency rating of 92% (SEDBUK “A” rating). These minimums were made law in April 2018 - before that, the minimum energy efficiency rating was 88% (88%/89% = "B" SEDBUK grade, 90%+ = "A" SEDBUK grade).

The Baxi Duo-tec 28 was awarded an efficiency rating of 92% and a band rating of "A".

Energy efficiency ratings for boilers describe the amount of energy they use and waste when switched on and working.

The ERP (or Energy Related Products Directive) is European legislation affecting products that consume energy throughout their lifetime.

The aim is to encourage companies to create environmentally friendlier products that reduce harmful gas emissions during manufacturing and when in use by the end client, right through to their eventual disposal.

In the case of the Baxi Duo-tec 28, the ERP rating is "A" for heat and "A" for hot water production.

What length of warranty does the Baxi Duo-tec 28 come with?

The Baxi Duo-tec 28 boiler has a warranty covering parts and labour costs for up to 7 years after installation.