Boiler Replacement

Gas boiler replacement is worth considering if your boiler is 10 or more years old.

An efficient boiler is essential in every home, generating the hot water needed for relaxing bath times and to keep the whole house cosy. But while it’s arguably the single most important item in your home, you probably won’t appreciate its importance until something goes wrong – that’s why it’s essential to not only make sure your boiler is well maintained, but that it gets replaced when the time comes.

When should you consider boiler replacement?

A well-maintained boiler should last about 15 years before it needs replacing, so if yours is over 10-years-old, it’s probably worth saving up for a replacement.

You should also consider getting a new boiler fitted in the following circumstances:

• It’s beyond repair – If you’re boiler breaks down, it doesn’t necessarily need completely replacing, and it might just need a new part. But if a qualified engineer tells you it’s beyond repair, then it’s time to compare boiler quotes and get a new one installed.
• You need more control – A good boiler should give you total control over the heating in your home, but if those controls aren’t programmable it might be worth considering a new boiler installation. You might be able to get away with fitting a new thermostat, so make sure you consider your options before committing to getting a new boiler fitted.

• Your energy bills are too high – If a gas boiler provides the heartbeat of your home, it will account for about 60% of your energy bills, according to figures from Energy UK. So, if it’s not working as efficiently as it should be, replacing it is an effective way to help lower your inflated energy bills. If any of the following describes your boiler, it’s definitely worth replacing it as part of any household energy efficiency measures:

  • It has a ‘dry cycle’ – While many modern boilers switch off when your home reaches the required temperature, some old boilers have a ‘dry cycle’ – a system whereby it instead sends heat to an ‘overflow radiator’, which then continues to throw out heat your home doesn’t need.
  • It has a continuous pilot light – Older boilers have small flame, known as a pilot light, which constantly burns to show the boiler is working. Although it only uses a small amount of gas, it’s still an unnecessary waste of energy.
  • It’s not wall-mounted – New boilers are wall-mounted, so if yours is fitted to the floor, it’s most likely an older, and less efficient, model.
  • It’s G-rated for efficiency – All homes now need to have an energy performance certificate before they can be sold, which rates its energy efficiency. If your boiler has a low energy efficiency rating, it’s worth getting a new installation, especially if you’re looking to sell up.

Why compare boiler prices?

Modern condensing boilers are more efficient, and have bigger heat exchangers, meaning they can recover more heat, which means they can make a huge difference to the cost of your energy bills.

Whatever the reason for your boiler replacement, it’s important to make sure you’re getting the right boiler for your building, and also that you’re paying a fair price. To get up to four, no-obligation boiler replacement quotes from us, simply enter your details into the form at the top of the page, and we’ll get back to you.

But what type of boiler is best for you?

What types of household boilers are available?

There are three main types of household boiler, they are:

Combination boiler

More commonly known as combi boilers, these are the most popular type of boiler as they provide a continuous supply of heat and hot water, without the need for water tanks or cylinders, meaning they’re a great space-saving option.

System boiler

Also known as sealed system, these units don’t need a water tank but do require a water cylinder, which is usually housed in an airing cupboard.

Conventional boiler

Also known as open vent or regular boilers, these are an older style of boiler that need both a water cylinder and water tank.

Condensing boilers

Although not strictly a specific type of boiler – you can have a condensing conventional boiler or a condensing combi boiler – condensing boilers capture and recycle some of the heat that can escape from the flue of non-condensing boilers. This means they produce more heat without using more energy, and are a more energy-efficient option.

If you’ve had a new boiler installed since 2005, it should be a condensing boiler.

How much does it cost to replace a boiler?

New gas boiler prices can be expensive, and you can reasonably expect to pay anything between £500 and £2,500 for a new system to be fitted. But with so many different brands on offer, not to mention the different sizes and types, it’s important to compare a range of quotes, to make sure you’re getting the right boiler installed at the right price.

The best way to ensure this is to fill in our request for quotation form at the top of the page, and we’ll get back to you with up to four, no-obligation quotes from trusted suppliers and qualified fitters.

How much money could you save with a new boiler?

Although new boiler installation costs can be expensive, fitting a more energy-efficient system will save you money on your energy bills, but the amount you save by upgrading your boiler will depend on how old and inefficient your existing boiler is:

*The calculations above are based on installing a new A-rated condensing boiler and full set of heating controls in a gas-heated, semi-detached gas heated home with three bedrooms, using an average 17252 kWh gas a year at a cost of £666 a year.

How long does it take to replace a gas boiler?

Once you've agreed a date for installation, your boiler should be fitted within two to three days. A quick installation can take up to eight hours, while bigger projects can even take a couple of days to a week depending on the project scale.

How to choose a new boiler

Boiler prices can vary depending upon the type and size of boiler you want, and the brand you choose, as well as the difficulty of the installation and the overall boiler fitting cost, so it’s always best to run a new boiler cost comparison before you buy.

It also pays to do a bit of research, so you know exactly what you need when it’s time to buy. So, when choosing a new boiler, consider the following:

• Choose your fuel from gas, oil, LPG, wood-fueled and biomass
• If you have mains gas, then a gas boiler is usually the cheapest heating system for you
• You can either choose to go with a regular boiler or a combi boiler - combi boilers can deliver hot water at any time of the day, but regular boilers have the advantage of being able to deliver hot water to more than two places in the house at once.

When choosing someone to fit your boiler, you can go with an independent installer or an energy provider. New boilers fitted by energy providers will often be the more expensive option, but may include additional benefits such as boiler care packages and smart controls so you can switch your heating on from your phone.

If you choose an independent installer, make sure they are fully qualified and Gas Safe registered - a poorly installed gas boiler won’t just be inefficient, it could also be highly dangerous. Not only could a gas leak cause an explosion, it can lead to deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.

That’s why it’s always best to speak to an expert before you get your boiler fitted. To request a quote, simply fill in the form at the top of the page and we’ll get back to you with up to four, free, no-obligation quotes so you can choose the deal that best suits your needs and budget.

To save even more money on your annual energy bills, try to put into practice as many of these energy saving tips as possible, and consider upgrading your home insulation. And don't forget to make sure you're on the best possible energy deal - comparing quotes and switching with us could knock hundreds of pounds off your annual gas and electricity bills.