Having a new boiler installed isn’t something most homeowners do very often. Your existing boiler may have been sitting in the same cupboard or utility room for 10, 15 or even 20 years, so when the time eventually comes to replace it, it’s perfectly reasonable not to know what happens next.
How long will the heating be off? Does the boiler have to stay in the same place? How does an installer decide which boiler you need? What happens to the old one?
A professional boiler installation in Wirral should start well before anybody removes the existing appliance.
Here’s what you can expect from the process.
It Starts With Looking at Your Existing Heating System
The first step should be understanding what you’ve already got.
Replacing a boiler isn’t simply a matter of finding another appliance with roughly the same dimensions and attaching it to the wall.
Your heating engineer needs to understand the property and how you use it.
That includes things such as the size of your home, number of radiators, number of bathrooms, hot water requirements, existing boiler type and the condition and configuration of the wider heating system.
A couple living in a two-bedroom bungalow doesn’t necessarily need the same heating solution as a family living in a four-bedroom house with two bathrooms.
This initial assessment is also your opportunity to explain any problems with the current system. Perhaps one part of the house has always been difficult to heat, the shower struggles when another tap is running or you’re planning an extension.
Those details can affect the recommendation.
Choosing the Right Type of Boiler
For many properties, the decision will involve choosing between a combi, system or conventional boiler.
A combi boiler heats water on demand and doesn’t require a separate hot water cylinder, which makes it a popular option for many smaller and medium-sized homes.
A system boiler works alongside a hot water cylinder and can be better suited to properties with greater hot water demands.
Traditional or conventional systems are still found in plenty of older Wirral properties too.
There’s no single boiler type that’s automatically “best”. It depends on the house.
Wirral’s housing stock varies enormously, from Victorian terraces and apartments to 1930s semis, bungalows and substantial detached homes. That’s why the recommendation should be based on the individual property rather than whichever boiler happens to be on special offer.
Our central heating installation service covers the wider heating system as well as boiler replacement if you’re carrying out a more substantial upgrade.
Choosing the Right Boiler Size
Bigger isn’t automatically better.
A boiler should be appropriately sized for the heating and hot water requirements of the property.
An installer will take the relevant demands of your home into account before recommending an appliance.
This becomes particularly important if the house has changed since the existing boiler was installed. An extension, loft conversion, additional bathroom or extra radiators can all alter what the heating system needs to do.
Tell your installer about any future plans too. If you’re going to add an extension next year, it’s much better to consider that before the new boiler goes on the wall.
Deciding Where the New Boiler Will Go
The simplest boiler installation is often a straightforward replacement in the same location.
But that doesn’t mean your new boiler has to stay there.
Home renovations often create an opportunity to relocate a boiler from a kitchen into a utility room, garage or another suitable location.
Moving it generally makes the installation more involved because pipework, the flue and potentially the condensate arrangement need to be considered.
If you dislike where your current boiler is positioned, bring it up during the initial survey rather than assuming it can’t be moved.
Your installer can explain what’s practical and what additional work would be involved.
Getting Your Quote
Once the property and existing heating system have been assessed, you should have a much clearer idea of what’s required.
At Wirral Plumbers, we provide free, no-obligation quotations for new boiler installations.
The quotation gives you an opportunity to understand what is being installed and what work is included before making a decision.
We’ve been installing boilers across Wirral since 1998 and work with a range of boiler manufacturers rather than treating every property as though it needs exactly the same appliance.
Preparing for Installation Day
Once you’ve agreed to go ahead, your installer will arrange a suitable date for the work.
You generally don’t need to turn the house upside down beforehand.
Making sure there’s clear access to the boiler and surrounding area is useful. If it’s inside a kitchen cupboard, airing cupboard or utility room that’s accumulated twenty years’ worth of household storage, clearing some space beforehand will make life easier.
Your heating and hot water will need to be switched off for part of the installation, so it’s worth planning around that.
Exactly how long the job takes depends heavily on what is being changed. Replacing a boiler with a similar appliance in the same position is very different from converting the heating system or moving the boiler elsewhere in the property.
Your installer should be able to give you an idea of the expected timescale after surveying the job.
Removing the Existing Boiler
On installation day, the existing appliance will be isolated and removed safely.
The heating system may need to be drained so the new boiler can be connected.
This stage can reveal more about the condition of an older system. Heating systems that have been operating for many years can contain deposits and corrosion products, and fitting a brand-new boiler to a dirty system isn’t something you want to ignore.
Depending on the condition of your heating system, additional cleaning may be appropriate.
For systems suffering from significant circulation or sludge problems, you can read more about our power flushing service in Wirral.
Installing Your New Boiler
The new appliance can then be fitted and connected to the appropriate heating, water, gas, electrical, flue and condensate arrangements required for that installation.
If the boiler is being relocated, this stage naturally involves more work.
The aim isn’t simply to get the appliance running. A professional installation needs to leave you with a heating system that operates correctly, safely and efficiently.
Once installation is complete, the boiler and heating system can be commissioned and tested.
Understanding Your New Controls
Modern heating controls can be a significant change if you’re replacing a boiler and controls that have been in the house for many years.
Before the job is finished, make sure you understand how to operate them.
That includes knowing how to adjust the heating schedule, change the temperature and use any new thermostat or controls that have been installed.
There’s little benefit in having a more efficient heating system if you’re accidentally running it all day because nobody showed you how the programmer works.
What Happens After Installation?
Your new boiler shouldn’t simply be fitted and forgotten.
Regular servicing is important throughout its life, and manufacturers commonly require servicing in accordance with their warranty conditions.
Our boiler servicing service in Wirral can take care of the ongoing maintenance once the installation is complete.
It’s worth getting into the habit of booking the service at roughly the same point each year.
We’ve also explained why servicing your Wirral boiler is so important and why the warmer months can be a particularly convenient time to arrange it.
When Should You Consider Replacing Your Boiler?
A breakdown doesn’t automatically mean replacement.
Many faults can be economically repaired, particularly when the boiler has otherwise been reliable.
Replacement becomes more worth considering when you’re dealing with an ageing appliance, increasingly frequent faults, expensive repairs or a heating system that no longer meets the needs of your property.
Our guide to the signs you may need a boiler replacement goes into this in more detail.
If you’re uncertain, get the boiler assessed before assuming the most expensive option is necessary.
Looking for Boiler Installation in Wirral?
Wirral Plumbers has been installing boilers for homeowners, landlords and businesses across Wirral since 1998.
We install combi, system and conventional boilers along with electric boilers, and we’ll assess your property before recommending the most suitable option.
From the initial survey and quotation through to installation and commissioning, we’ll explain what’s happening and help you choose a heating system appropriate for your home.
If you’re considering a new boiler installation in Wirral, call 0758 0395 493 or email mike@wirralplumbers.com to arrange a free, no-obligation quotation.