7 Important Things To Know Before You Change Your Boiler

Changing your boiler is a significant and often costly decision. Here are my tips along with 7 things to know before you change your boiler.

Purchasing a new boiler can be quite expensive and can hit you unexpectedly. For instance, your boiler might break down in the middle of winter.

To make things easier for you, I’ve put together this guide for changing your boiler, with things you should consider.

You can find a good boiler with prices starting from £1795 at heatable.co.uk for a Alpha boiler. Check it out now to see the prices and more available models.

After you learn more details from this article from Heating Savvy, you can choose the best boiler for you.

1. The Importance of a Reliable Boiler

Indeed, the more reliable your new boiler brand is, the less money you’ll have to pay for costly repairs.

But Heating Savvy, I don’t want to pay too much for a boiler. Can’t I choose a cheap boiler?

The annual cost of repairs can make a pretty big hole in your budget. 

So choose wisely from the start. Buy a good boiler.

At the end of the article, I’ll make some recommendations. So keep reading.

2. Ask the Installer’s Opinion, but Judge the Answer Carefully

Your installer can be of great help, not only with changing the boiler but also with a recommendation for the model and other necessary materials.

He can guide you to make the best choice for the model and size of the boiler you need.

I assume that 95% of customers trust their installer to recommend a good boiler to replace the existing one.

You can also find out the following things you need to know from the installer:

– boiler change price;

– labor price for boiler replacement;

– necessary documents for boiler change;

– which are the best gas boilers for homes;

– necessary documents for boiler authorization.

3. The Importance of Boiler Service

Many boiler users believe that it doesn’t matter who installs the boiler as long as it’s a good and well-known brand.

There are many cases when the boiler is started without being put into operation by an authorized company and specifically recommended by the manufacturer.

And these situations lead to the loss of the boiler warranty and other potential problems that may arise.

Very often a boiler breaks down due to installation and use rather than because of the components.

And then the beneficiary is the one who pays. So when you change the boiler, see what service companies you have in the area, and make sure you will do the commissioning and maintenance with them.

4. Changing the Boiler. With What Model?

There are several models of boilers. Here’s what you can choose from:

– Change the boiler with a combi boiler

  These are the most well-known and most-used boilers. They heat the water instantly and you don’t need a boiler for it.

  Boiler recommendation:

  I recommend you install this 24 kw Viessmann boiler model. It is suitable for 2-3 room houses up to 150 sqm.

– Change the boiler with a system boiler

  When you have a system boiler, you will also have a storage tank. A technical room is needed for installation if you don’t have enough space.

  This boiler model does not have a plate heat exchanger. The preparation of domestic hot water is done by circulating the heating agent through the tank coil.

5. Change the Boiler with a More Efficient One

If you’re thinking of changing the boiler with a condensing boiler, the good news is that you’ll have a gas bill 15 – 20% smaller.

The savings can be even greater, especially if the house insulation is good enough.

Don’t look for conventional boilers anymore, because they are no longer produced.

6. Choose the Right Boiler

You need the right boiler to have the necessary power to heat and make hot water at the tap.

If you also change the radiators make sure you do a power flush.

The necessary power for the boiler depends on the thermal requirement of the house, how many bathrooms you use, and how many people live in the house.

7. A Cheap Boiler is Not Always a Good Boiler

The labor price for changing the boiler varies a lot. It can be from £500 to £2000 depending on the city and what else you have to do at the installation.

You can choose a cheap boiler, but it’s not always a happy choice.

Understanding the Timeframe for a New Boiler Installation

There’s no simple answer when it comes to how long it takes to install a new boiler. 

The duration of this process varies depending on several influencing factors. 

For example, 

• are you looking to relocate your existing boiler or 
• are you starting from scratch? 
• What type of fuel will your system utilize? And of course, 
• the type of boiler being installed also plays a significant role.

In addition, consider whether you’re switching from one type of boiler to another. 

The specific models you’re transitioning to and from could potentially affect the installation time. 

And don’t forget to factor in any unique aspects related to your home’s water supply system. This might introduce complexities to the process.

With these considerations in mind, we can get a general guideline on the estimated timeframe for fitting a new boiler. 

As an average, a new boiler installation might take anywhere between six hours to four days. Here’s a brief outline based on different scenarios:

• Direct boiler replacement: 4-6 hours
• Installing a completely new combi boiler: 1-2 days
• Relocating your boiler: 1-2 days
• Changing the boiler type: 2-3 days
• Switching fuel type: 2-3 days
• Both changing the type and relocating the boiler: 3-4 days

What size of boiler do I need?

The number of radiators in your home primarily determines the size of your boiler. 

Below is a rough guide to help you understand what might work best for your property:

Boiler for small-sized property

•   Up to 10 radiators
•   1 bathroom
•   A 24kw – 28kw boiler

Boiler for a medium-sized 3 – 4 bedroom property

•   Up to 15 radiators
•   2 bathrooms
•   A 28 – 34kw boiler

Boiler for a large 4+ bedroom property

•   Up to 20 radiators
•   2 bathrooms
•   A 35kw+ boiler

Boiler installation might seem daunting, but with the right information and professionals, you can ensure a smooth process and a warm home.

Final thought 

Before you change the boiler, have you asked for at least 2 – 3 quotes for replacing the boiler?

If not, do it now to make sure you have a fair price. Maybe you give the old boiler in exchange for a scrapping program for boilers, or you take a boiler in installments without interest.

Here’s what else you should check:

– boiler warranty

– if the heating circuit will be cleaned or impurity filters will be installed

– installation warranty

– if you have service companies nearby