Your boiler is designed to last for a long time, but sadly, no boiler will last forever. If you have noticed issues with your boiler like a drop in the energy efficiency, more frequent need for repairs or strange smells or noises coming from the boiler, it’s probably time to think about replacing it. Most boilers will need replacing once they hit around ten years old, although some can continue running for a little longer. Since getting a new boiler is likely going to be one of the most expensive purchases that you will make for your home, making the right choice is hugely important. Spending some time figuring out the right type of boiler for your home and ensuring that you choose a reliable brand and model is key to ensuring that your money is invested wisely. So, what are some of the main factors to consider when getting a new boiler?
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Choosing the Right Boiler for You
The first question to ask when choosing a new boiler is the type of boiler that is going to be best for your household. There are three main types of boilers to choose from – combi boilers, system boilers, and conventional boilers. Most UK homes will have a gas boiler and a gas central heating system; however, there are some households in the UK that are not connected to the gas network and will need an alternative option like an oil-burning boiler.
If you have a gas heating system, it’s likely that a combi boiler could be the ideal choice for your household. These are the most popular type of boiler in the UK and provide both heating and hot water on demand. They do not require a separate hot water tank and are the most convenient type of boiler to install and use. Conventional boilers take up more space, since they will need a cold-water feed tank and hot water storage cylinder to be installed. A system boiler is similar to a conventional boiler, but does not require the cold-water tank.
After you have decided what kind of boiler would be perfect for your home and your current budget, the next step is looking for a place to buy the boiler. There are many different brands that manufacture all kinds of boilers, some have more features and higher efficiency ratings. Boiler replacements can be very costly, but they are also considered as the most profitable appliance upgrades you can have in your home. The initial cost would almost always be outweighed by the savings the new boiler would yield in the long run. It’s also important not to jump the gun and buy a boiler from the first seller you find. Doing research and comparing sellers would go a very long way in helping you get the most value from your new boiler.
Getting a new boiler quote from multiple companies would help you get the best price possible for your desired boiler. Some sellers might be selling the boiler you want a little bit more expensive than others, that’s why it’s important to compare the quotes you’ve gathered and sort out which one would be suitable for the price you’re willing to pay. Another thing to consider is to find for companies that include the boiler installation cost in the quote and see which one provides the best price for the boiler you’re buying and the cost of installation.
Your Budget
The first thing to consider when getting a new boiler for your home is how much you want to spend on it. Don’t just think about the price of getting the new boiler itself, but make sure that you factor in the cost of installation, smart heating controls, thermostats, and anything else that you may need to pay in order to have the boiler completely replaced and working well. Bear in mind that if you are upgrading from a conventional boiler to a combi boiler, for example, you may need to pay more for installation since this will involve the removal and disposal of the old tanks that are no longer necessary.
Another additional cost that is worth considering is that of having the boiler moved to another area of the house if needed. Bear in mind that you don’t always have to get the most expensive boiler to get the best quality, and some lower-range boilers may work just as well as the pricier ones. Boilers can seriously vary in price from a few hundred to a few thousand pounds, so be sure to do your research beforehand to compare your options and find the best boiler for your budget.
Efficiency
Another key factor that is always worth considering when getting a new boiler for your home is the efficiency level. In a home with a gas central heating system, the boiler will account for around 60% of the CO2 emissions of the property, so your boiler choice is crucial if you want to cut your energy bills and your carbon footprint. Upgrading an older type of boiler to a modern combi boiler can boost your home’s efficiency by around a third, and some boilers are more energy-efficient than others depending on the brand and model.
Size
The size of your boiler can determine its hot water and central heating capabilities, and it’s important to choose one that is the right size for your home. If changing to a combi boiler, you should also consider the physical aspects of making sure that the boiler you choose is the right size for the space that you want it to go in. This will not usually be a problem if you are planning to replace an older boiler with the same type of boiler in the same place, but it could be an issue if you want to put the boiler in a certain area of the home. Before choosing your new boiler, check out the options on Boiler Central to find out more about the different sizes available and find one that will fit well in the space where you want it to go. Bear in mind that due to regulations, any boilers that are fitted into a smaller space will need to have a certain amount of space around the boiler for access and ventilation.
Controls
It’s also worth considering how you would like to control your boiler when you are at home or away from the home. If you are happy to use your boiler in the conventional way by switching it to on or off on the boiler itself, you will find this feature available on any model. However, if you want to use a thermostat elsewhere in the home, it’s important to consider where this is going to go and how the thermostat will be installed. A smart thermostat might be ideal for you if you want to improve the energy-efficiency of your home by automatically adjusting the radiator temperature based on the room use and the outdoor temperature at the time. Finally, if you want to use smart controls such as an app that you can connect to the boiler to control your heating from a smart device, it’s important to ensure that you choose a boiler that is compatible.
Getting a new boiler for your home can be an expensive yet necessary step. Be sure that you are making the right choice for your home by considering these factors before picking the best boiler for your household.