With people spending more time at home during the pandemic, something that was not widely talked about has become an important point when buying a new gas boiler. More people at home means greater use of heating and hot water so the boiler is working more than before. And this creates noise.
You can’t always choose the ideal place to put a boiler and many are situated in bedrooms. The boilers fitted in bedrooms and other living and sleeping areas where people spend a lot of their time now need to be quiet so people can work and rest properly. Spare bedrooms have become study rooms.
Quietest boilers on the market:
- Viessmann Vitodens
- Ideal Logic
- Vaillant ecoTEC
- Worcester Greenstar
Scroll down to find out exactly which models were the quietest
So we asked the people working in the trade; the professional gas engineers who install, repair and service boilers day in day out to tell us which boiler they believe is the quietest they have come across. The results are given in the table below.
What are the quietest boilers?
| Boiler make and model | Output kW | Noise level decibels (dB) |
|---|---|---|
| Viessmann Vitodens 200W | 26 | 36 |
| Ideal Logic+ | 35 | 44 |
| Vaillant ecoTec Plus 832 | 32 | 46 |
| Worcester Greenstar 4000 | 25 | 42 |
| Worcester Greenstar 2000 | 35 | 43 |
Engineers said some of these boilers are so quiet you have to double check when they are on, especially in heating mode. It’s only when there is a demand for hot water that the boiler makes some kind of audible noise.
Viessmann Boilers – Vitodens 200W
A combination boiler, the Viessmann Vitodens 200-W combines energy-efficient tech with a reliable water heater.
The product is a condensing boiler that is available with a capacity of 19kW, 26KW, 30kW, and 35kW.
It has been given an ‘A’ rating, the highest possible
Ideal Boilers – Logic+
The Logic+ Combi boiler is part of an award-winning Logic line up and is available in three different outputs; a 24 kW combi boiler, 30kW combi boiler and 35kW combi boiler depending on your needs.
Vaillant Boilers – Ecotec Plus 832
Vaillant Combi Boilers are highly efficient and deliver a top Band ‘A’ rated fuel efficiency and powerful hot water performance. This model is very quiet at 45 decibels.
Worcester Bosch Boilers – Greenstar 4000
One of the quietest combi boilers available 42 decibels making it easy to live with. Has a wide power range to help reduce gas consumption and lower energy bills.
Worcester Greenstar 2000
The Greenstar 2000 is one of the lowest-priced and compact combi boilers in Worcester Bosch’s range. It is also one of the quietest (43 dB) and efficient models available from Worcester Bosch. It can easily fit in a kitchen or airing cupboard.
Does a higher output mean a noisier boiler?
Although the Viessmann is the quietest boiler in the table, it is also the lowest in kW and the 26kW model is the maximum output that is this quiet. So, you may have to give and take between noise level and the need for a more powerful boiler to heat your home.
Do all boilers state the noise level?
Up to now, even boiler manufacturers haven’t given the issue great importance because most of them don’t put the noise level of many of their products in the brochures, specifications or even in the manuals.
How are some boilers quieter than others?
It mostly comes down to the design and materials used for the components. Some boilers simply are better manufactured which reduces the noise level. Or they have incorporated one component with another so the number of moving parts is reduced. Another method is to pad the internal casing so the boiler becomes sound-insulated which is what the Viessmann boiler has.
Look out for the Quiet Mark
Quiet mark is an independent certification programme which identifies the quietest products through testing and assessment. The Ideal Logic+ and Vaillant ecoTec Plus boilers mentioned in the table have been given the Quiet mark.
However, it is not clear if they have tested other boiler makes or not. If you see a quiet mark on the product, it is a good indication that it gives very little noise pollution.
What causes noise in boilers?
- Gurgling Noises. From trapped air.
- Loud Banging. Build up of debris.
- Vibrating Noise. Loose brackets attached to boiler or part within internal casing.
- Whistling/ Kettling. Build up of limescale on the boiler heat exchanger.
- Banging. Overheating boiler or faulty thermostat.
- Humming. Possibly due to faulty gas valve.
- Aeroplane/drone noises. Most likely due to a faulty pump.
How to make a combi boiler quieter
If buying a new boiler is not an option and you have to work with the one you have for a few years yet, some other ways to keep the noise down could be to make a boiler cupboard. This on its own will reduce the noise but you can insulate it with acoustic panels, fibreglass boards, or even soundproofing panels.
Get the quietest boilers here
In general, all boilers nowadays are quieter than their earlier models built a decade ago and this is an increasingly important factor for many people now they are working from home more. So, if your boiler is making noises, it could be time for a replacement.
The boilers listed in this article have been picked by those who fit them so whichever one you choose will be quiet and there are more ways to keep the noise down with soundproofing material.
So, if you are ready to look for a new boiler, click the link to find the right one for you
