Finding the right new boiler in Bromley

You want it to be perfect when you buy a new boiler. Your new boiler should heat your home for many years.
These top tips will help you choose the right boiler for you.

Why should you buy a new boiler?

Boilers have a life expectancy of between 10 and 15 years, but can lose efficiency after eight years. Your heating bills will increase as efficiency decreases.

A boiler can also become more susceptible to problems as it ages. If you call a heating engineer to repair your boiler on a frequent basis, then the repairs costs will start to add up. Installing a new boiler is the best and most economical decision.

These are signs that your boiler needs to be replaced:

Your boiler is constantly breaking down
A repair will cost more than a new boiler.
Have you noticed an increase in your heating costs?
You are not getting the heating or hot water you need.
If you’re looking to rent or sell your property, a modern boiler can help improve the efficiency of your home and make your home more attractive to potential buyers.


Let’s now get to our 8 top tips when buying a new boiler.

1. Choose the right boiler

Which boiler type is best for you depends on the size of your property, how many people live there, and what your needs are for heat and hot water.
Combi

The most popular and modern type of boiler in Britain is the combi boiler. A combi boiler is a cost-effective heating system which doesn’t require additional tanks or cylinders to be installed. This is a great option if you have limited space.

They provide instant heating and hot water as needed, without the use of tanks or cylinders. They are suitable for homes with between 1 and 2 bathrooms, depending on the output rating.

Combi boilers offer many benefits but there are also some things you need to consider. Combi boilers draw water from the mains. This means that you need high water pressure at home. The hot water coming out of the taps will be insufficient if it is not. They are unable to supply hot water to more than one tap at a given time, which is why they are best suited for smaller properties.
System

System boilers are a great choice for homes that have 2 or more bathrooms and high hot water demand. They heat water on demand but store it in a hot cylinder. It’s worth it if your property is in high demand for hot-water.

Although hot water stored in a cylinder allows a system boiler more hot water to be available, you will still need to wait for the boiler to refill. You may have to wait for your hot water to return, which can sometimes delay your bath. This is not a problem with combi boilers.
Regular

There are many different names for the regular boiler. There are three types of regular boilers: open-vent, heat only and conventional. These boilers are the oldest and most common and can be found in properties built between 1960 and 1970.

Regular boilers heat water to be stored in a container, similar to a system boiler. A hot water cylinder is not enough. You also need a feed tank and an expansion tank. The tank is located in the loft and supplies cold water to the boiler. They don’t receive water from the mains.

Because they are large heating systems that require a vast pipe network, they should only be recommended for properties with this type of boiler.

2. Find the best boiler brands

After you have chosen the right boiler type for your home, you will need to choose a model from one the many UK boiler manufacturers.

These are the top boiler manufacturers in terms homeowner reviews and installer feedback.

ATAG
Baxi
Ideal
Vaillant
Viessmann
Worcester Bosch

These manufacturers offer three types of boilers, most of which are gas-fueled. However, there are a few that offer oil boilers.

4. Select a location for your boiler

Modern new boiler installation Bromley are flexible. You can choose where your boiler should be installed. It is not necessary to have it installed in your kitchen or utility room.

Modern boilers are compact in design. They won’t take up much space, and can be concealed in a wall-mounted cabinet.

An external wall is required for oil and gas boiler installations. This is to ensure that any waste gases are easily expelled from the property via the flue pipe.

It is important to note that moving a boiler will increase the cost of a replacement boiler.

5. Set your budget

Many people are limited by their budgets. It is important to have a clear budget and to stick to it.

There are many factors that will affect the cost of a new boiler’s purchase, including:

Manufacturer, range, and model
Boiler type (combi-, system or regular).
Output rating (which determines the power of the boiler and is measured in kW).

You’ll also have to consider the cost of installation. Due to factors like:

Installer charges
Year of the year
Installation difficulty
If the boiler will be moved to a different location
It doesn’t matter if it’s a replacement boiler (replacing a combi by a combi for example).

6. Examine the warranty

Boiler warranties will provide you with the assurance that your boiler is covered in the event of an unexpected problem. All UK boiler manufacturers offer warranty coverage on boilers. The warranty terms and duration will vary depending on the model and manufacturer.

Boiler warranties range from 1-10 years, with some going over 10 years. ATAG boilers have a 14-year warranty at the time of writing. This is the longest boiler warranty available in the UK.

7. Compare at least two quotes

We recommend that you get quotes from at least two heating engineers before buying a boiler. Comparing multiple quotes can help you find the best company for the job.

Comparing quotes will not only help you get the best price, but it will also increase your chances of getting the lowest price. You wouldn’t be able to tell if you were being overcharged if you only received one quote.

8. Check your installer’s qualifications & reviews

To install your boiler, the heating engineer that you hire must have a high level of qualification. For gas boiler installation, this means that you should hire a Gas Safe registered engineer. An OFTEC technician must install oil boilers.

You can verify the qualifications of your installer online. You can check the Gas Safe Register and look up the company you are interested in. Also, ask for their ID card when they arrive at your home.

All Boiler Guide heating engineers have been fully accredited and certified. We verify this every day.

It’s not only important to have the right qualifications but it’s also a good idea looking at reviews from past customers.
What is the best time for your boiler to be replaced?

Summer is the best season to replace your boiler. Because of the warmer temperatures, it is less likely that you will need heating. It will be much less noticeable to go without heating for 3-7 days depending on which type of installation.

Heating engineers are more likely to be available at this time of the year, so they have more time. It might be easier to find a heating engineer, and perhaps even cheaper.

Do not wait until your boiler stops working to replace it. This can happen in winter and it will be an emergency situation. You won’t have time to consider all your options.

Plan ahead! Consider buying a new boiler eight years after you have installed your current one.