If you’re thinking of having a new boiler installed, because your old one is on its way out or because you’re renovating an old property, you’ll have a lot to think about. Choosing a boiler can be tricky, but it’s important to do your homework and understand the different options so you make a sound decision and can enjoy the benefits of your new boiler for many years to come.
At Bog Standard Plumbing and Heating, we’ve installed countless boilers over the years, and have in-depth knowledge about the most important things to consider when choosing one for your home. We’ve written the following guide on what to think about when purchasing a new boiler for your home.
Consider the size of your home and family
This is one of the biggest things to think about with a new boiler, but not everyone does. As a result, homeowners can end up with a boiler that doesn’t fit their needs, and when paying such a substantial amount, it needs to be right!
If you live in a fairly small home, with one bathroom and 2 or 3 occupants, you won’t need a boiler that’s especially powerful and a combi boiler could be perfect for your needs. These are energy-efficient, usually costing less to run and not requiring a water tank so save on storage too.
However, combi boilers can only run to a single water source at once, so if you have an additional bathroom or en suite, or if you have a bigger family and therefore use more heat and hot water, it probably won’t be suitable. A conventional or system boiler is likely to be a better choice, as with these boilers you can run a bath, shower and kitchen tap at the same time - fitting well with busy family life.
The number of people in your home also affects the size, or output of your boiler. If there are more occupants, you’ll need a more powerful output to get the performance from your boiler that you require.
Think about the ideal position of your new boiler
When you have your new boiler installed it may be a good time to position it elsewhere in your home. For example, if it is currently in the kitchen you may wish to move it to a cupboard under the stairs to gain extra food storage space. Or if you’re switching to a combi boiler, it can be moved to the airing cupboard.
Your boiler may need to be positioned near an outside wall, or there may be other factors such as its size that impact where it will fit and if it can be wall-mounted, but it’s worth thinking of a few preferred locations and you can then discuss these with your engineer.
Ensure you get 3 separate quotes
Boiler costs can vary hugely, depending on brand, type and size. In addition to this, different heating engineers have different rates for the installation of your new boiler. For these reasons, it’s important to get multiple quotes to compare, and also do your homework about the type of boiler you want and its average cost with different brands. While it’s not advisable to opt for the cheapest boiler - big brands have a good reputation for a reason - it’s important to be in the know so you can make an informed decision on both price and quality.
It’s also worth checking for reviews and recommendations of each tradesperson, and checking with them that they are Gas Safe registered
Work out your budget in advance
Ideally, you’ll have the money put aside to pay for your boiler, but as costs can vary as stated above, be sure to check your budget before committing. A new boiler can range between £1500-£3000, so it’s important to have the information you need about costings so you can work out if you can pay. Some energy companies offer home installation improvements at reduced costs, as part of a government incentive, which you may be able to apply for depending on your personal circumstances.
Expert boiler installation in Wolverhampton
If you’re considering a new boiler, Bog Standard Plumbing and Heating work across Wolverhampton, and would be happy to provide further advice and guidance. To get in touch and find out how we can help with our professional, trusted installation service, simply: Call us on 0330 113 2248 or email us at info@bogstandardplumbing.co.uk or complete our online contact form.