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New Boilers
If your reading this your probably either in the process of getting a new boiler installed or you’re considering it,
either way, it’s a huge financial commitment,
so being well-educated on the matter is always a good idea,
on that note, I have compiled a checklist and you should,
outlining what you should know/consider before going through the mundane task of getting estimates.
What size boiler do you need?
- The average combination boiler comes in one of four sizes 24kw, 28-30kw, 30-37kw and 40kw, as a
- rule of thumb a 24 is ideal for most flats and any smallish 2-3 bed house with anything roughly up to 10 radiators,
- a 28-30 would be for a medium to large 3-4 bed house with up to 15 radiators, a 30-37 and a 40 km
- would be for a large house with anything up to 20 radiators. For hot water the
- higher demand (how much hot water you use) the higher kW (kilowatt) boiler required,
- however, no combination boiler will cope with 2 showers running at the same time,
- don’t take these figures as gospel they are just a guideline before getting your quotes in.
- The most a combination boiler can give on hot water is around 16 litres of water per minute
Location Of The Boiler
- The easiest and cheapest place for any boiler to be installed is in the same location as the old one,
- the reason for this is that the pipes are all in the vicinity,
- if your going from a combi to a combi then every pipe will be there,
- however, if you’re converting from a system boiler to a combi( a system with a hot water cylinder and header tank),
- there is a good chance that the cold and hot water pipes will have to be “run” to the new boiler.
- A boiler can basically be installed on any wall as long as it’s near an outside wall in
- order for the flue to exit and a drain (explained later), also needed are gas, flow and return(radiator pipes), hot and cold water pipes.
A pipe must leave the boiler and exit into a drain.
- All boilers by law must have a sedbuk efficiency rating of A or B, this means that they
- must be “condensing”, all condensing boiler’s produce condensation,
- this condensation leaves the boiler (in liquid form, Water) via a waste pipe, this waste pipe must exit into a drain, either an outside drain or it can “tap” into a
- sink/bath/washing machine waste inside the property, the pipe must have a downward slope of at least 5%.
What Brand and make of boiler to choose?
- I recommend 5 boilers to my customers, Vaillant Eco-Tec, Worcester junior, Baxi Duo-tec and platinum and the Ideal Logic+.
- I don’t think you will go far wrong with any of the boilers mentioned,
- the Vaillant and Worcester are the most
- expensive but only come with a 2-year warranty, ( Update See Below)the Ideal Logic is the cheapest of the 5 but comes with a 5-year warranty,
- I recommend getting some brochures (give me a call if you would like me to send you some) and really doing your research,
- but like I said any of the 5 I am happy to recommend.
- We now offer a 7 Year warranty on the
- Vaillant Eco-Tec Plus and 5 Years on the Pro version.
What size is my gas pipe?
- If you’re a bit of a do it yourself with this sort of thing, or you have access to your old boilers installation
- instructions, then check the size of the gas pipe pip going into the boiler it should be 22mm thick if its 15mm
- thick it may need to be increased, make sure you ask the installer doing your quote to tell you the
- size, as your new boiler may not function properly if it’s too small.
What thermostat controls do I need?
- With any new central heating system, you must have a minimum of a room stat, the cheapest and best
- the option is a wireless room stat. contrary to popular belief there are no laws stating that you must have thermostat radiator
- valves ( i have contacted gas safely and had this confirmed),
- what they say is that an installer should recommend them, to a
- customer and quote for them, but you don’t have to
- have them, but I do advise getting them installed in bedrooms at least.
Getting the system flushed.
- Your warranty will be void if your new boiler becomes damaged because of sludge from your system. To prevent this the system must be flushed, it’s also advisable to get a central heating filter installed which will help combat sludge build-up for as long as its installed. I recommend MagnaClean Professional they fit inline on the boiler return pipe.
Water pressure. Every combi boiler needs a minimum cold water flow rate requirement, it is vital that this is tested prior to the new boiler is installed
How long will it take?
- An average combi to combi exchange will take 6-10 hours (normally done in one day) a conversion (system boiler to combi) would normally take 2-3 days, so be prepared for at least one night without hot water or heating if getting a conversion
How much will it cost?
- The question everybody wants to know, as a rough guide a combi – combi exchange will cost between £1600 and £2600(inc vat) depending on size and type of boiler a conversion will be between £2200 and £3500(inc vat) this is a guide for London companies if you live in the north of the country then you can probably find it a little cheaper.