More Tips for Purchasing a New Boiler

From the moment you think about upgrading your boiler to when it’s actually installed, you’ll have a lot to think about and a lot of decisions to make. Choosing a new boiler is a big thing because you’re investing a lot of money and you want your new unit to provide you and your family with heat, comfort and hot water for many years to come.

At D A Gas, we understand this, and are always happy to offer our customers advice before they commit to having a new boiler installed. We’ve written a new guide on this very popular subject, to help guide homeowners through their new boiler purchase. 

 

If you’re in the process of changing your boiler or installing one for the first time, ask yourself the following:

How many occupants are there in my house?

The size of your house and the number of people living in it will be one of the biggest factors in choosing the boiler that’s right for you. If you have a fairly small home with one bathroom and a low demand for hot water, a standard combi boiler will probably be perfect for your needs. If, however, you have a large family and your home has more than one bathroom, you’ll be better off considering a system or conventional boiler instead. 

This is because a combi boiler only works to a single water source at one time, and doesn’t have a tank for storing extra water. This makes it really efficient, but it does mean it’s not suitable for those who need a higher demand of water and have a house with multiple bathrooms.

The number of people in your house will also impact the size of boiler you should choose. This is also known as output and, generally speaking, you should opt for a boiler with a more powerful output if you use more hot water than average. 

Where should my boiler be fitted?

It’s unlikely that your boiler can be fitted wherever you want, but you may be able to change its current position if it’s not working for you. For example, if your boiler is taking up space in the kitchen that you’d rather give to an extra cupboard to store food in, when the new one is installed you may be able to move it to an understairs cupboard or even the garage if it’s integrated. 

This can depend on where the proposed new location is in relation to outside walls, and the size of your boiler will also affect where it can go, as some boilers are wider and taller than others.

Should I go Smart?

Smart technology is everywhere and options for making your home Smart are growing all the time. As well as voice assistants to set alarms, make shopping lists and stream music, you can also incorporate smart into your central heating system! When you upgrade your boiler, it may be worth thinking about whether a Smart system will be worthwhile for you, in terms of both convenience and energy-efficiency. For example, a Smart thermostat will allow you to control your heating from wherever you are in the world through an app on your phone. This means that if you forget to turn the heating off you can do it while at work, and also if you’re away and it suddenly gets colder, you can programme your heating so you don’t return home to cold rooms.

Do I have enough quotes?

Getting a range of quotes from different heating engineers is really important when choosing a new boiler. This is partly because people charge different rates for their service, and also have different levels of expertise and experience. We’d always be wary of a tradesperson offering to install your boiler for next to nothing, as in this case it’s unlikely they’d be Gas Safe registered and with the necessary experience needed to do it safely.

The other thing to consider is that it’s common for heating engineers to specialise in certain boiler brands, so they may quote for the boilers they usually install, which can have a big impact on price. There can be advantages to this, too, such as extended warranties and the engineer having specialist knowledge of certain units. But you should only opt for this if it’s the boiler you want and it will meet your needs, as well as fit your budget. 

What’s my budget?

Lastly, as mentioned above, you need to ensure the boiler you choose is one you can afford. It’s easy to get carried away with the different sophisticated options on the market, but a new boiler needs to work for you financially. The cost of a boiler can vary a lot, depending on its brand, type, output and whether you need anything additional like radiators or a tank. 

When you get a quote, ensure you have the means to pay for it before making a commitment. You can also consider finance options in some cases, although be aware these come with an interest fee, so you will be paying more overall.   

Looking for expert boiler installation in Essex? 

The team at D A Gas, Heating & Plumbing have a whole heap of experience and know-how in boiler installation and care. A team you can trust, we’re Gas Safe registered and serve homeowners across North Weald, Ongar, Theydon Bois, Epping, Hoddesdon and Broxbourne.

 

For extra peace of mind, we're also a Which? Trusted Trader, meaning our our business has been assessed and endorsed by Which?, the leading consumer advice platform.

You can get in touch by telephone on 07920 875189 or 01279 316304, by email at dave@dagas.co.uk or via our online contact form.