There is lots to consider when you are considering a new boiler installation. This guide will take you through the process from start to finish. This is quite a difficult Boiler Service task describing in words what a Gas Safe engineer does every day. Not all of the points will be relevant to your particular installation but this guide will at least give you an idea of what to expect from your new boiler and what to expect from an installer coming to your Boiler Installation house.
Things to consider:
– Your budget – grants, loans and other schemes
– Finding an installer – getting 3 quotes
– The current water pressure of your system
– Your current system – layout/design and condition, boiler siting
– Your hot water demand – bathrooms, ensuites etc
– Choosing a boiler
– Upgrading your pipework – gas and water pipework
– Adding a MagnaClean
– Adding thermostatic radiator valves/room thermostat
– Adding additional radiators
– Powerflusing your system or flushing your system
– Commissioning your system
– Filling in the benchmark/notifying building control
– Advising the customer on how to get the best efficiency from their boiler
– Installers working to best practice
Your budget – grants, loans and other schemes
There are lots of schemes available depending on your circumstances. The new Boiler Scrappage Scheme is available to all households in England who have a G rated boiler in their home. It gives £400 towards the cost of a new boiler installation. There is also a scheme called the Warm Front Scheme which provides upto £3500 towards home heating and insulation improvements. To be eligible you must be on some sort of benefit or be a low income household. It is normally a bad idea to finance your boiler installation using a credit card or bank loan. Although there are cost benefits to be gained by having a new condensing boiler these will be eaten up by repaying the loan. If your current boiler is in good working order and you are worried about it breaking down then a British Gas homecare agreement is advisable at around £19 per month. An Npower agreement which offers less benefits is also available at around £7.99 per month.
Finding an installer – getting 3 quotes
You should aim for 3 quotes. This is more than adequate to get a good idea of what you want. Each individual engineer will give you different ideas on how best to go forward. They will also have their own favourite boilers and methods of working. It is a good idea to bounce ideas and questions around to ascertain whether the engineer is actually competent in the field he will be required to work within. Unfortunately there are lots of newly qualified plumbers and gas engineers in this industry and although they are perfectly safe and ‘passed off’ to work they may not be a) able to advise you of the most efficient method going forward, b) advise you completely wrongly or c) not actually have an answer. Sometimes it may be difficult to find someone you trust; after all, this will be a huge investment.