Buying A New Boiler

Key considerations to help you make the right choice

Buying a new boiler is a big investment. And in many cases will start off with a simple google search term like “boiler installer near me” or “boiler installer Liverpool” and whilst you may be in a rush to replace your old boiler, it’s worth taking a little time to make sure you choose the right boiler for your home, family and lifestyle. In this blog, we’ll look at some of the things you’ll need to consider before making your decision.

Boiler type

There are three main types of boiler.

Combination boilers: Combination or combi boilers provide hot water whenever you turn on the hot tap. They run from the mains water supply, so you won’t need a separate hot or cold-water tank, or an additional shower pump. They’re ideal for small to medium homes with a maximum of two bathrooms. Homeowners with larger hot water requirements could opt for a storage combi boiler, which enables extra hot water to be delivered to outlets.

Conventional boilers: Also known as heat-only or regular boilers, these are connected to both hot and cold-water tanks. Whilst they take up more space (due to the need for external tanks) they’re ideal for larger homes with two or more bathrooms that are likely to be used at the same time. The hot water tank is usually stored in an airing cupboard, loft space or utility room.

System boilers: These are like ‘heat-only’ boilers and supply heating direct to your radiators and heat your hot water through a storage cylinder. With a pump and expansion vessel built into the boiler itself, they remove the need for a central heating header tank in your property. They’re especially suited to homes with multiple bathrooms, but you must have good water pressure at the property for this to be a suitable solution.

Boiler size

Your new boiler needs to be big enough to heat your home efficiently and make sure you have enough hot water. On the other hand, an over-large boiler will waste energy and push up your energy bills. A domestic gas boilers size is measured in terms of heat output, with typical sizes ranging from 15 kilowatts (kW) to 42kW.

Your heating engineer will advise you on the right size of boiler after inspecting your property and discussing your heating and hot water requirements.

Fuel type

Most British homes are connected to the mains gas, so run on gas-fired boilers. For those without mains gas, fuel options include oil, liquid petroleum gas (LPG), or a stove burning wood or biomass with a back boiler. The Government has announced that all new homes built from 2025 will be heated by low-carbon alternatives. With that in mind, you might like to consider a low-carbon fuel type for your home.

Solutions include solar thermal panels to heat your water via the sun, and ground or air source heat pumps that extract natural heat from the air or ground and transfer it to your home. The Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme will provide you with quarterly payments for seven years if you install a qualifying low-carbon system. However, it’s still not always cheap or easy to switch to a non-fossil fuel boiler and a starting point would first be to fully insulate the envelope of the building.

Energy efficiency

With most boilers still powered by gas or oil for the time being, energy efficiency is an important consideration as the UK moves towards achieving 0% net carbon emissions by 2050. The good news is that all modern gas boilers are energy efficient, with a minimum Energy-related Products (ErP) efficiency rating of 92% required by law. Time and temperature controls must also be fitted with every new installation.

If you’re replacing an old boiler with a modern condensing gas type, you’re likely to save money as well as energy. You can further reduce your gas bills by using your boiler’s time and temperature controls efficiently and taking simple steps to reduce your energy use.

Makes & models

Not all boilers are created equal. When buying a new boiler, price and quality vary considerably, so it’s worth doing some research to find the best make and model for your needs and budget. Remember also that your heating engineer might be incentivised to recommend a certain brand, so find a company that’s willing to install the boiler you want.

Here at Liverpool Heating, we only work with the most reliable boiler brands. We are Accredited Installers of Worcester Bosch, Vaillant, Baxi, Glow-Worm and Ideal boilers. We’ll discuss your requirements and suitable boiler types with you and are happy to make recommendations, but the end decision will always be yours.

Cost

It’s difficult to estimate the cost of a new boiler installation as there are so many different things to consider when buying a new boiler. The manufacturer of the boiler is essential, and you should not take a chance on a cheap option for this essential home improvement, as to do so will cost more in the long run. Just the new boiler alone can cost between £800 – £2,500 without the cost of installation.

How much is a new boiler fitted? The cost of a new boiler fitted will depend on whether you’re replacing the boiler like for like, converting it to a combi system from a regular type boiler, or if you’re moving it to a new location.

You may spend £3,000 – £5,000 if you want to convert a back boiler to a combi boiler system. If you were swapping a combi for combi, on the other hand, you’d spend around £1,800 – £2,700 on it. However, if you were changing its location, your expense could go up to £2,300 - £3,200. Although these costs act as a guide, new boiler prices will vary.

You will need the right boiler for your individual household’s needs, so it’s always best to seek advice from a qualified boiler installer before you set your heart on any specific boiler.

Ask Liverpool Heating

Our qualified engineers will be pleased to discuss your new boiler requirements and help you understand the process of buying a new boiler. Contact us today to find out more about our boiler installation services or to book a no-obligation property survey and quote.