A new boiler is one of the most important investments you can make. Here are a few tips to avoid getting your fingers burned. And while you’re here check out our special boiler installation offer.
It all boils down to efficiency.
Almost without exception new and replacement boilers must be high efficiency condensing boilers. Apart from helping to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 30% they can reduce heating bills by a further 40%.
The higher initial purchase cost will be recovered through lower heating bills.
Condensing boilers come in three variants: Regular (conventional boilers), System or Combi.
In most instances the choice is based on your circumstances. If you live in a flat you are likely to need a combi-boiler. Large family homes with no space restrictions would suit a regular or system boiler. Whatever your situation, the selection and fitting is a job for an expert.
Get three estimates
Get 3 estimates from a mixture of local and national businesses. Price aside it will help you assess the professionalism of the companies involved.
Be ready to brief
The heating engineer should ask you some telling questions about your requirements and current heating system. This will help them recommend the best heating system for your needs.
Typically you should have the answers to the following:
• Where is the boiler to be sited? Because new condensing boilers produce a stream of steam it is possible that the old site of the flue may not be the best site for the new one.
• Your demands on the system. Will you be running more than one bath or shower at a time? How has your current system coped with demand?
• Future expansion. Is the need for a new boiler part of a plan to extend the home? Regular boilers need loft space for feed and expansion tanks, System and Combi boilers don’t. So if you’re thinking of extending into the loft this may have a bearing on your choice.
• Your budget. Get a fix on your budget and don’t be persuaded to spend more than you are comfortable with. It may be worth checking out any finance deals on offer. Our own offer on New Boiler installations is definitely worth taking a look at.
Energy Efficiency isn’t just down to the choice of boiler.
It’s important to look at the energy efficiency of your home generally and not just focus on the boiler installation. Loft insulation and cavity wall insulation improvements can further reduce heating bills and ensure your boiler is working to its maximum efficiency.
Ask Questions
The engineer who visits will be used to these frequently asked questions and should be able to give direct answers in layman’s English.
• Ensure they are Gas Safe or OFTEC registered, for gas and oil respectively.
• Ask them to provide referrals of recent installations.
• Check what else is included as part of their after-sales service?
• Make sure they give you a fully itemised quote for all labour and parts
• Find out the make and efficiency of boiler they’re proposing. And make sure this is specified within the quote. You will want to be sure you’re comparing like for like.
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