There was a time where homeowners would purchase a boiler and that would be the last time they think about it. However, boilers are made of different components and just like a car or a TV, they can fail, so they don’t live forever. So, whether your boiler is halfway through its life or coming to the end of its days but when it does fail, you’ll soon realise how much you relied on it for hot water or heating.
In fact, you’ve had your current boiler for long that you might not even remember when you purchased your current boiler. It was probably so long ago that you probably cannot remember who you purchased it from, who fitted and what the process was and now you have found yourself in a position where you now have to look at upgrading.
If this is you, then fear not. We are here to help you understand the process, ensuring you can find a replacement and have it installed without any problems at all. So, take a look at our guide and find out what is involved in replacing your boiler.
1. Consider Your Old Boiler Type
Have a look at your old boiler and understand what type of system it might be. On the whole, we are confident that it is going to be one of these three different types of system:
- An unvented high-pressure system with a separate hot water cylinder
- Combination boiler
- A gravity-fed system that has a separate hot water cylinder
We understand that you might not have any idea of what the system might be because central heating is a complicated thing. What’s more, it’s also hazardous as it used different fuels and electricity in a small space for combustion which means that the use of controlled fire helps to deliver heat and hot water to your home.
If your boiler heats up the water and gives it immediately, while you do not have a hot water cylinder installed, then you are likely to have a combination boiler or a combi boiler as it is also known. If there is a hot water cylinder and a tank for overflow that is more than likely in the loft, then this is likely to be a gravity-fed system. The unvented system or high-pressure system produces water at mains pressure and is considered to be the least popular option of the three.
2. Choosing Your Boiler Replacement
At this point, you are going to need to begin thinking about the replacement boiler. There are several different factors that could play a role in this and this could range from how happy you are with your current system to the possibility of using a newer heating technology as well as the challenges that you might be faced with when upgrading to a condensing boiler. The type of boiler that you choose could be influenced by the number of parts within your current heating system that needs replacing.
If you are replacing a combi boiler and you are happy with it, then it could mean that you could go for something that is relatively similar. If you want a greater level of water output then you might want to opt for a boiler that has better power.
When it comes to complexities, gravity-fed systems are complex and they are not often recommended when it comes to new installations. This is down to the fact that you might need a loft tank. However, if this is your preference and what you prefer, then you will need a system boiler or a heat-only boiler. This type of boiler has an external pump and that could cost more.
A high-pressure system in general will need a new version installed that’s much like the old system. However, you could think about a heat-only boiler and how that compares to a system boiler. So, it is worth looking at gas replacement boilers and LPG boilers to see what options are out there for you.
3. Condensing or non-condensing?
Since 2003, the majority of new boilers have been manufactured so they are condensing. These are more efficient and can help you to save money on fuel but they do require a drain located externally. This could be the right option for you but it might need to be installed in a different position and along with this a condensate pump and drainage pump will also need to be protected from freezing, which might mean that you need to consider insulation.
4. Solar Power Heating
This might be the better choice for you if you find yourself in a position whereby you are replacing an existing hot water cylinder. In this instance, a twin-coil cylinder is connected to a solar panel and this will then work to generate electricity. During the summer month, you might find that your hot water becomes free but during the colder winter months, you might need to top it up.
5. Boiler Installation
This has changed considerably in recent years. Therefore, when you do decide to have a new boiler, our expert engineers can help you by explaining the installation process. What’s more, they will consider your current situation and explore your gas supply pipes or boiler flues as these might need upgrading.
6. Boiler costs
We are always willing to discuss your options with you and we also offer 0% boiler finance, which means that you have many options available to take advantage of. A new boiler replacement can cost around £1600 and more depending on the system and your home. So, if you choose to purchase the boiler yourself, you could opt to purchase a low budget model that might cost you a few hundred pounds. Of course, you might also choose to spend more and opt for the recognised brands that are out there such as Worcester Bosch, with these boilers costing from around £700. This is the cost of the boiler because you will then have to consider the cost of installation. As a heating system and boilers are extremely complex and potentially dangerous, you will need to use the services of a Gas Safe registered boiler installation engineer. This is likely to cost up to around £1,000 while any additional work that is required will cost more.
As there are many issues that need consideration when installing a new boiler, you will need to call on the experts like Prime Time Boiler. This will ensure that you receive a professional and safe service that can help you to get your new boiler installed and working in no time at all.
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