You have decided to get rid of your old boiler and replace it.
Your family will be warm with a new gas boiler.
But the old one did that, and you now worry about having to cancel your cruise in order to buy a new boiler.
Stop!
It’s not true. While a new boiler may seem like an unexpected expense, you don’t need to alter your plans. With highly competitive boiler packages and the ability to spread the cost interest-free on Worcester Bosch boilers the costs are not prohibitive.
When buying a new boiler, here are some things you should be aware of.
Is my boiler install Bromley done correctly and safely?
If your boiler has not been installed correctly, your warranty is invalid.
Always consult a registered engineer who is Gas Safe.
Do your due diligence
Researching your new boiler is as important as planning your next vacation.
It is important to feel confident and able to trust your boiler installer. Every year we visit a handful customers whose boilers have been improperly installed, causing functional issues or even unsafe.
Check out online reviews on platforms like Which? Checkatrade, TrustedTrader and Checkatrade verify reviews to make sure they are accurate. You can also do a quick Google search to find out more about the gas engineer you’re interested in or the heating company.
What kind of boiler should I use?
It’s important to understand which type of boiler you want. How strong does your boiler have to be in order to heat your home and provide you with hot water? What boiler manufacturers warranty should you have?
Lage
Boilers are easily located anywhere as long as they have the clearances that allow them to be taken out for servicing and repairs.
A manufacturer may refuse to repair a product if the clearances aren’t met.
You should also remember that combi boilers require 5 copper pipes, and one plastic pipe to get into the boiler. You will only need three copper and one plastic pipe if it is a regular boiler.
You should also consider the noise. Most people these days are very quiet, but it is worth considering. We get called out quite often to move boilers between bedrooms and kitchens.
Your boilers flue
Your boiler flue should be considered last. The flue exits from the boiler and can be seen coming out of the roof or vertically through the wall.
It takes a little more work to complete the job, including ladders. For a townhouse, scaffolding may be necessary.
Your flue terminal will emit a plume (a light, smoke-like cloud) from the terminal. The terminal must be located at least 30 cm away from any windows, doors or airbricks. The plume kit, which can safely divert fumes away from your heating engineer’s home, is available if it is impossible to avoid.
Gas pipe
It may be dangerous if the gas pipe is too small. A rule of thumb is that you should not have any 15mm gas pipes connecting to your boiler.
You may need to have a 28mm gas pipeline installed if your boiler is more than 36kw. Upgrades to gas pipes are common. Make sure to ask your installer about this as it is often required. We see many new installations piping in old 15mm gas pipeline.
Pipe clips
Gas pipes should be trimmed every 1 metre to prevent them from becoming loose and noisy.
Condensate and drainage pipe
The pipe that leads to a drain internally or externally.
It is connected to a waste pipe by being tapped in. To avoid freezing, it should be 32mm wide or greater and terminate below drain grills.
Another option is to use either a soakaway (buried under soil) or a pump. However, if you’re using an pump the pipe must slope away form the boiler. If it doesn’t the condensate can back up into the boiler and damage your main heating system. If the slope is external, it reduces the likelihood of freezing.
Flushing/filter
If you do not have your central heating system flushed and replaced the boiler, then you will be putting a brand-new boiler on top of an old boiler that has likely collected dirt and debris over time. Your new boiler will become clogged up with corrosion and sludge that has accumulated over the years.
Manufacturers are not allowed to replace parts damaged by sludge.
Your boiler insurance company will only cover damage caused by central heating sludge and debris if you have it or want it.
Also, ensure that a quality filter is installed on the return line. The boiler filter does more than collect the sludge, it also stops any of this from entering your boiler.
Documents
Your installer will commission your boiler. They only have 30 days to register your warranty.
Gas Safe must be registered for your new boiler installation by your installer. If you ever wish to sell your house, you will need a Gas Safe certificate.