Looking for a New Boiler Installation?

You need to be careful and strategic about buying a new boiler. The process doesn’t have to be costly and exorbitant. With proper planning and research, you can save yourself money and get the right boiler for your home. To make the most out of your time and your budget, here are a few things you should consider when buying a new boiler

Brand

You can get a new boiler from as little as £500. But, you shouldn’t be too concerned about the price. You should prioritise the quality of the boiler over the price. The easiest way to do this is to go for reliable brands like Potterton, Zanussi, Viessmann, Firebird and Ariston among others.

Your needs and the needs of your home

Buying a boiler is a personal experience. It’s not a one-size-fits-all type of purchase. Different homes have different needs and therefore require different boilers. You can consult with your boiler engineer to advice on the best type of boiler for your home. Other than the type, you also need to consider the size of the boiler that would work best for your home.

Consider the space

Different types of boiler have different space requirements. You need to consider where the new boiler will be placed before you go out and place the purchase. If you don’t have enough space, freestanding boilers might offer you the benefits you’re looking for without taking up much space.

Get multiple quotes

Once you identify the right boiler for your home, don’t buy it off the first quote you get. It’s advisable to get more than one quote and compare. At least, you should have three quotes and pick one that gives you value for your money.

Do you qualify for grants

You need to save as much as possible on your new boiler purchase. The best and most efficient way to save up is checking to see if you’re eligible for any boiler central heating grants. You can check for eligibility on the Energy Saving Trust.

The price of installing a new boiler will sum up the initial cost of the boiler plus the labour costs incurred for proper installation by a professional gas engineer. The average price will mainly depend on the boiler you intend to install (with guidance from a professional engineer).

The decision to install a combi boiler, heat-only (regular) boilers, a system boiler or even a combination of the three is the primary basis for determining the actual price you pay for the comfort in the freezing UK winter conditions. Currently, it will cost you anywhere between £1,600 and £3,500 to install a combi boiler. On the other hand, installing a system boiler will see you part with anywhere between £1,500 and £2,800, while for a system boiler, the cost will range between £1,400 and £2,500.

Despite most new boiler installations being done within a day, expect yours to be completed within 1-3 days. The exact duration of the project will depend on several factors, such as the type of boiler you are installing and the amount of work involved. For example, if you are installing a high-capacity boiler, you will need to install more radiators in your home, which means there will be a lot of work involved, and the project will last more than a single day.

To properly install a boiler in your home, you must contact a certified gas engineer. The boiler comes with different components like the flue pipes and radiators, which need to be precisely installed in various rooms of your aboard to make sure you get your money’s worth.

The gas engineer needs to have access to your home, which might compromise your comfort. However, the disruption is nothing compared to the one caused when replacing an existing boiler with a different boiler. This is because, in the latter case, the heating engineer will have to relay the pipework in your home. Moreover, they will have to resolve any possible malfunctions that may result from the incompatibility of the new boiler with your existing heating system.

The process leading up to installation entails rigorous research to make sure you get it right. And given that a new boiler installation will blow a massive hole in your finances, you would want to get it right the first time.

First, you will need to get in touch with several companies and engineers to have a general rough idea of the average cost of installing a boiler. Some heating companies like ours will provide you with up to three free installation quotes from local boiler installers in your area. And by comparing the provided quotes, you will be in a better position to select an installer whose installation price is considerably lower. You will also be able to get valuable insights and advice on the best boiler suited for your property.

Secondly, after the engaging consultations that seek to examine your home and the heating needs you require, you need to choose a boiler model. The decision on the boiler model could be based on the boiler capacity, fuel, preferred type or just other factors. Once you have the boiler you want, the gas engineer can proceed with the installation.

Depending on the space allocated or required, the engineer will install connecting pipes to the radiators and water outlets, the main water supply and, if the need arises, hot and cold-water tanks. The area of installation mainly depends on the boiler. Oil-fired boilers are mostly put outside, while combi boilers are suitable for kitchen areas due to their compact designs.

Finally, you will need to connect your boiler to a central electric heating system which enables you to adjust the heating output and performance of the boiler from a central location.

A boiler is a significant investment and, therefore, more nerve easing if it is a long investment. A suitable boiler should efficiently execute all your heating needs and be able to do it for a long time. Given the climate change concerns and significant advancements in technology, modern boilers have impeccable designs that seek to reduce the carbon footprint and be at it for a long time.

Modern boilers have about 10 to 15 years of operating at peak conditions. For the best longtime results, hire a professional gas engineer for the installation process. You should also adhere to the recommended periodic maintenance to iron out any unseen developing problems.

And once a boiler approaches the end of its lifespan, say, after ten years of service, its performance will start declining. At this juncture, it may be inefficient and uneconomical to continue heating your home or hot water using the boiler. And given that the boiler will start developing problems more frequently, it is advisable to invest in a new boiler rather than repeatedly fixing the old and failing boiler. Of course, the cost of installing a new boiler will be steep, but the long-run energy costs due to inefficiencies of an old and underperforming boiler are just not worthwhile.

Any new or a replacement boiler installed after 1^st April 2005 is subjected to Building Regulations. Once you’re done installing a new boiler, you will need to send a notification to the Building Control, and it will affirm whether the installation conforms to the Building Regulations set.

On the other hand, if the boiler is installed by CORGI or Gas Safe Registered installers who are members of a self-certification scheme, a certificate should be given as evidence that the appliance has been commissioned, properly installed, and registered by Gas Safe or CORGI. You get to keep a copy of this certificate, and another copy is lodged with Building Control as evidence under the competent person scheme.

A boiler installation should usually entail an installer’s certificate and a compliance certificate issued by CORGI or Safe Gas if installed before 2009.

Warranty and guarantee are pivotal factors you must consider when buying a new boiler. A guarantee could, at times, be the only shield cushioning you from the loss of thousands of pounds due to repair costs or replacement of the boiler altogether in case of a malfunction. This is because a guarantee is a binding contract that compels the manufacturer to repair or replace the boiler unconditionally if the malfunction emanates from a manufacturing fault.

On the other hand, a warranty will assure you that the installer or manufacturer will investigate any serious issues with your boiler but not necessarily fix the problem for free.

An ideal guarantee should be lengthy, and it mainly depends on the manufacturer. The standard warranty ranges from 1 to 5 years, but most leading manufacturers give an extended guarantee of up to 10 years.

Having your boiler registered for its guarantee is essential and should be done within the first 30 days after installation. Getting a new boiler does not automatically register it for a warranty. As such, it is essential to follow up and register it before the thirty-day window elapses. Failure to register your boiler for warranty within the given deadline will mean the manufacturer is not obligated to conduct any repairs or replacements since the boiler is not formally registered.

Some installers can register the boiler warranty immediately with the manufacturers after installation. At the same time, many heating engineers will leave the boiler warranty registration to homeowners, and it is therefore prudent to follow up. Registration for most manufacturers is easy. You only need to visit their websites and key in the required section, and remember to also key in the boiler serial number.

Getting a new boiler can be disturbing and scary, obviously because of the sum of cash needed to have it installed and running in your home. However, holding on to an old boiler that is struggling to operate will only fester the underlying issues, which could cost you more in the long run. An old boiler will need constant repairs, which are not cheap.

In addition, a new boiler comes along with a string of benefits.

• A warmer and more comfortable home – Old boilers will become less efficient with time and might not fulfil your home’s heating needs. This will leave you and your family a bit chilled and not able to keep warm when winter comes. This problem is easily averted by getting a new boiler.
• Reduce the energy bills – Reducing inefficiency means that the oil boiler will need to consume more energy to sustain the heating demands. More energy consumption will undoubtedly push the pills up, and in the long run, it could get costly. A new boiler operates in efficiencies of up to 90%, meaning low energy costs.

It is worth pointing out that new boilers are designed to operate silently, unlike the noisy conventional boilers. Their high efficiencies help significantly reduce the carbon footprints, and their small designs fit well into allocated spaces in the house. So, getting a new boiler over an older one is worth the trouble.

What type of boiler should I choose?

There are three types of boilers: the system boiler, the combi boiler, and the regular boiler. The type of boiler you acquire will depend on various factors. Getting the advice of a professional gas engineer could help you overcome the selection dilemma. The size of your home and available space are undoubtedly vital factors when deciding on the type of boiler to procure.

For instance, a five-bedroom apartment with more than five occupants and multiple bathrooms will have more heat requirements. In this scenario, a combi boiler will not be ideal. A system boiler will be suitable as it has an external tank and can provide more heating and hot water to the home. A combi boiler has a more compact design, ideal for smaller homes with fewer people.

Regular/standard boilers require hot and cold-water tanks and are best suited for older homes with existing heating and storage systems. Depending on your home, a gas engineer will advise you accordingly on what type of boiler works for your home.

Boilers are a necessary investment as winter temperatures frequently crack the zero mark. Therefore, if your existing boiler breaks down, you have no option but to get a new one immediately. However, the summer months are a prudent choice. You are less reliant on heating and hot water as opposed to winter. Therefore, the installation process will be relatively pain-free and undisruptive for you and your family.

Installing a new boiler is no easy fit. The installation process will disrupt your lives for a few days, but the comfort after that is worthwhile. Installing the whole system entails a lot of processes like laying down the pipework, fitting radiators and underfloor heating all over the properties, and all of these could get a little Messy.

You may need to lift carpets and wash after surfaces when they first test the boiler for any leakages. However, any installer worth their salt will work with minimal inconveniences and utmost tidiness. So hiring a certified gas engineer goes a long way in setting up your system and quickly getting back to your routine.

Researching and planning could also save you a lot of trouble. For instance;

• Installing the boiler in winter means you will be without heating, so having an electric boiler is brilliant.
• The main water supply is usually turned off during the installation process so make sure you stock up.
• Move the valuables away from the working areas as things could get messy.
• Cover your carpets and sheets to protect them from leakages or spillage that could taint and tarnish them.

A new boiler usually is up and running immediately after installation. However, it would help to keep an eye on the boiler’s pressure as it may take time to adjust. Repressurizing for a few days is crucial to maintaining top-notch operating levels and getting your system to adjust to your home smoothly.

Boilers do not have expiry dates set in stone. Instead, they break down if you do not look for the subtle signs that need attention, and you find yourself looking for a new one. A few tell-tale signs could help you navigate this problem and avoid being caught unawares by a failing boiler. Signs you need a new boiler to include:

• Radiators take longer to heat up – Normally, radiators reach maximum temperatures quickly and emit heat to warm your house. If your radiators take lengthy periods to heat up, you should be alarmed. A blockage or cold spot could cause slow heating, and boiler service should fix it. If the problem is not sorted out, it is time to look for a new boiler.
• Frequent breakdowns – Even after constant repairs, frequent breakdowns are a clear sign that the boiler needs to go. The common inconveniences and quick fixes are detrimental and tend to cost you more cash in the long run. Getting a new boiler would be prudent.
• Rising energy bills – An inefficient boiler is not worth the trouble. Rising bills due to an ageing or an inefficient boiler could get too steep, and you are better off spending on a new boiler that would prove beneficial in the long run.
• Noises and unusual smells – A healthy, efficient boiler works in silence and does not emit gases. If you hear clucking, banging and whirring, these sounds should alarm you. A weird smell from the boiler could mean that the boiler is leaking carbon dioxide or specific boiler components are burning. An engineer will be able to inspect and fix the problem if it is a minor issue. Otherwise, getting a new boiler could be your only option.

Age is also a factor, and if your boiler is old, 10-15 years old, you should start thinking of getting a new one. The chances are that the new boiler is efficient and is becoming overbearing on your pockets.

A boiler is a necessity and a costly one at that. It will cost you thousands of dollars to have it properly installed into your home, and therefore mistakes in and around the installation process could cost you dearly.

Choosing the wrong boiler installation company or the wrong brand is a mistake people make. Hiring an independent and reputable installation company is crucial. The proper installation company will advise you on the needs of your home and the right brand for you. Their services will also be top-notch and put everything right, assuring the longevity of your boiler.

Neglecting to service the boiler is another common mistake people make. A new boiler will likely run smoothly, and constant check-ups and maintenances may seem irrelevant. With time, unforeseen underlying problems could fester and potentially bleed your money. Therefore, annual maintenance routines should be mandatory to keep your new boiler alive for a long.

Old is not gold when it comes to boilers. An old boiler system loses efficiency with time and becomes more costly to run. According to the Energy Saving Trust, most households use up to 55% of their annual energy bills on heating alone. The cost of an inefficient boiler is considerably higher. Most old boilers (10-20 years old) with a G-rating have efficiencies of below 70%.

Upgrading to a new modern boiler will shock you with the amount you get to save annually. Most modern boilers have an A rating of up to 92%, a 20-35% increase on the 20-year-old relic you might have. You could save close to £350 in energy bills which is considerable.

You can pay in full, but dealers have also accepted monthly payments in recent times. Buying a new boiler is a significant outlay, and it would help to spread the cost around in the form of instalments basis. Finance is becoming a popular way to pay for new boilers, and many companies are now offering boiler finance.

Boiler installation will require gas engineers in your home to work and install different boiler components. To make this process as smooth as possible, you could prepare your house a little upfront.

• Prepare the working area – The surveyor will show you the operational areas and places that will need freeing of any obstruction. You can move any valuables away from the working area. The engineers would be glad to help move heavy furniture that would otherwise get tainted. You can also put down a sheet to protect the carpet and the floor.
• Plan your day – Rather than bumping into the engineers now and then in the working areas, you could have everything you need, like water supplies, as the water mains will likely be turned off the whole day when engineers are working.

You should not worry about the mess and spillage as a few areas are bound to be affected. Engineers from a competent installer company will put the carpets back down, wipe down the working area and vacuum the surfaces so your home will look the same as when the engineers arrived.