Is your boiler having too many issues as of late? Is the hot water that is coming out from the boiler no longer that hot? If you feel that your old boiler’s time has arrived, then it’s time to decide whether you should get a new boiler or have the old boiler replaced.
For that particular issue, we made sure to consider both sides to better give you an understanding why it’s better to just simply buy a new boiler and get it installed.
Repairing your Old Boiler
Most people would recommend repairing your old boiler to save some money. Besides, if the damage is not that big, then simply repairing it can make your boiler last for a few more years right? The statement may be true, but boilers are like vehicles. The more time has passed since it started working, the more problems will start to surface regarding the machine’s performance.
Having your old boiler repaired will only keep it working for a limited amount of time. Most boilers have a warranty of three to five years; a new boiler can simply be repaired time and again as long as it’s still under warranty. But if your boiler is older than that, then buying a new boiler is not the only solution, but the cheaper solution.
Choosing your New Boiler
When you’ve decided it’s finally time to buy a new boiler, the first thing you need to decide is to choose what type of boiler you’ll be using.
You can talk to the sales agent or installation team about this if you don’t have the slightest idea what boiler you want to get as replacement. If you recently moved to a new location, consider if the new house is compatible with the same type of boiler that you used in your old house. For landowners, if you’re planning on getting multiple boilers for your apartments, you can also contact the installation or sales team to negotiate a volume discount for multiple boilers.
The Different Types of Boilers
The Combi Boiler – Short for combination boiler, the combi boiler is considered the most efficient heating system for most residential buildings. Because of its compact system, the combi boiler is very popular among households that require both hot water and central heating directly through the boiler itself. Therefore, no more annoying cylinders and tanks.
Because there is no cylinder or tank, the hot water is not stored in the boiler. Instead, when the water passes through the heating system, it is there where the water is boiled according to the temperature set in the system. It has a fully sealed system and is run by a circulation pump; all of it is located in the boiler thus freeing up a lot of space inside the house. In the past, tanks and cylinders were needed for the old water heating system, thus you need an attic or basement to hide the tanks and cylinders.
While the combi boiler is efficient because of its simplicity, it also has its own set of flaws. If problems should arise in the boiler itself, the heating system is compromised at once. Also, the combi boiler can only produce hot water through one source; it can’t produce hot water through multiple taps. The good news is that there are newer combi boilers that have different outputs, therefore you can choose which one is the best for you.
The Conventional Boiler – We’re talking about the good old water heating system that is composed of the central heating system together with one or two cylinders that are placed in the attic or basement as storage for the hot water. While it’s a very old system that has stood the test of time, one of the biggest advantages of the conventional boiler is that you can draw hot water from multiple taps.
This is the reason why most big hotels and apartments sometimes favor the conventional boiler over the newer, simpler combi boilers. The conventional boiler heats up the hot water cylinder that is fed by the water tank sitting in the attic. The tank also has a way of topping up the system to make up for the water that is lost due to evaporation and what’s more important – it keeps the system safe by allowing water to expand in case the system heats up too much.
An additional benefit of this configuration is that you can easily upgrade your system to multiple heat sources by replacing the cylinder to include an additional coil.
The Sealed System Boiler – Also called a system boiler, it’s an advanced version of the conventional boiler. It works the same as the conventional boiler, but it doesn’t have a water tank to provide pressure. It’s a water heating system that is good for providing multiple taps with hot water without the extra space needed because of the pressure tank.
How much does it cost to install a New Boiler?
To give you all an example, we have calculated the costs and put together a sample board so you can check out how much money you’ll spend on installing a new boiler:
Replacing Regular Boiler with a Similar Model
- 12 KW – £1,300
- 24 KW – £1,500
- 30 KW – £2,100
- 40 KW – £2,700
Replacing Regular Boiler with a Combi Boiler
- 12 KW – £2,100
- 24 KW – £2,250
- 30 KW – £2,500
- 40 KW – £3,100
Replacing System Boiler with a Similar Model
- 12 KW – £1,400
- 24 KW – £1,550
- 30 KW – £2,100
Replacing System Boiler with a Combi Boiler
- 12 KW – £2,100
- 24 KW – £2,250
- 30 KW – £2,500
Replacing Combi Boiler with a Similar Model
- 24 KW – £1,600
- 30 KW – £1,700
- 40 KW – £1,950
Now take note that these are simple calculations based on what most boiler installation companies are asking their customers. Take note that these prices can be fixed together with a boiler finance option. You can in most cases apply for boiler finance options in the case that you need to get your old boiler replaced but don’t have the cash to do it at once.
Reading the Boiler Energy Rating
New boilers must adhere to strict energy efficiency guidelines. Energy efficiency is measured by dividing the input energy by the output energy. Simply put, this means that the fuel that is being consumed is divided by the heat produced. The results are converted into percentage which is then graded into a scale of 7 grades ranging from A as the most efficient to G being the least.
This grading was based on a European system but in 2005, it was replaced with a specific rating system created by the Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK (SEDBUK). The results were based on cumulative data from laboratory tests and trials conducted over 3 years.
As of 2010 all domestic boiler installations should be at least 88% efficient, which means that only A-rated boilers and B-rated boilers can be installed in private properties.
Since 1st April 2018 private landlords renting property will be required to have an Energy performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E or higher. That means that if the EPC rates the property as less than E it will be unlawful to rent that property. Most often the low rating is due to an old boiler.
The energy efficiency can vary a lot even within the same manufacturer. For example, an older Worcester 26 Cdi Xtra has 85.7% efficiency while a new top of the range Worcester Greenstar Highflow 550 Cdi can achieve a 90.8% efficiency.
New Boiler Installation – How Long Does it Take?
A new boiler installation shouldn’t take too long. If you’re calling to get your broken boiler replaced with a new one you can normally schedule that in. If the current old boiler is cusing damage is being done to the property such as flooding or gas leakage, most installers offer an emergency installation service for the new boiler. The boiler fitting company will need to check your home to have a proper look at where and how to install your new boiler. They will then need to schedule the install, depending on the availability of a heating engineer in your area.
The heating engineer will be needed because it will be their job to size your new boiler to ensure it is up to the task of providing regular hot water to you and your household. If there is a heating engineer readily available in your area, installers generally should be able to book you a schedule within the week.
During the actual installation, however, prepare for certain scenarios that may cause some changes with the schedule. This is the reason why installation companies often ask our customers if they’re installing a new boiler to a new house or if they have plans to renovate the house sometime in the future. This is also to help the installation team plan and execute the installation process without sacrificing the efficiency of the boiler. For example, if the house does not have an attic or basement for the additional cylinders for a conventional boiler, then plans must be made on how to install your boiler given the circumstance.
Finally, be prepared to have someone watch over the installation team during the requirements gathering stage. Make sure that this individual can make and approve the adjustments needed during the installation on your behalf. This is to save both time and money on your behalf.
For more questions about the installation of your new boiler or if you want more information about how efficient the boilers you are considering, you can go ahead and check out our website or give us a call. We’ll be more than glad to assist you with your questions.