| There is lots to consider when you are | | | | 30cm away from window or door openings to |
| considering a new boiler installation. This guide will | | | | stop products of combustion re-entering the |
| take you through the process from start to finish. | | | | property. If there is no other alternative than to |
| This is quite a difficult task describing in words | | | | put your boiler next to a window that is not in |
| what a Gas Safe engineer does every day. Not all | | | | use then it will either need blocking up, ie |
| of the points will be relevant to your particular | | | | cementing and bricking up or it will need screws |
| installation but this guide will at least give you an | | | | put in so that it cannot open. Although the latter |
| idea of what to expect from your new boiler and | | | | method is within the scope of the regulations it |
| what to expect from an installer coming to your | | | | would be recommended better bricking it up. |
| house. | | | | Your hot water demand - bathrooms, ensuites |
| Things to consider: | | | | etc |
| - Your budget - grants, loans and other schemes | | | | Even the lowest output of boiler (eg a 24KW) |
| - Finding an installer - getting 3 quotes | | | | can, if installed correctly, cope with up to 14 |
| - The current water pressure of your system | | | | radiators. When determining which boiler will suit |
| - Your current system - layout/design and | | | | your needs you should do some research on |
| condition, boiler siting | | | | boiler hot water output capacities. Some smaller |
| - Your hot water demand - bathrooms, ensuites | | | | output boilers will deliver in the region of say 9 |
| etc | | | | litres of water per minute at a certain |
| - Choosing a boiler | | | | temperature. Bigger models will produce 16 litres |
| - Upgrading your pipework - gas and water | | | | and more. This difference will be the difference |
| pipework | | | | between an ok shower or a very powerful |
| - Adding a MagnaClean | | | | shower. It will also affect how long a bath takes |
| - Adding thermostatic radiator valves/room | | | | to fill up. You will also see an impact if you have |
| thermostat | | | | two bathrooms ie a main bathroom and an |
| - Adding additional radiators | | | | ensuite bathroom. Larger sized boilers will just be |
| - Powerflusing your system or flushing your | | | | able to cope with two showers used |
| system | | | | simultaneously. Smaller boilers will definitely not. |
| - Commissioning your system | | | | You need to consider how this will affect you. |
| - Filling in the benchmark/notifying building control | | | | Further advice can be given by your chosen |
| - Advising the customer on how to get the best | | | | installer. |
| efficiency from their boiler | | | | Choosing a boiler |
| - Installers working to best practice | | | | Choosing a boiler can be difficult. There are so |
| Your budget - grants, loans and other schemes | | | | many boilers out there that only an expert can |
| There are lots of schemes available depending on | | | | guide you through your needs and match them |
| your circumstances. The new Boiler Scrappage | | | | up with a suitable boiler. The better makes of |
| Scheme is available to all households in England | | | | boiler are Viessmann, Worcester and Valliant |
| who have a G rated boiler in their home. It gives | | | | although some of the models from these |
| £400 towards the cost of a new boiler | | | | manufacturers have been horrendous. These will |
| installation. There is also a scheme called the | | | | be the earlier models and any expert will know |
| Warm Front Scheme which provides upto | | | | which models to steer well clear of. The |
| £3500 towards home heating and insulation | | | | Viessmann 100 model (earlier model) has teething |
| improvements. To be eligible you must be on | | | | problems but everything has been resolved now |
| some sort of benefit or be a low income | | | | and this is one of the leading models on the |
| household. It is normally a bad idea to finance | | | | market if not the best. Of course every engineer |
| your boiler installation using a credit card or bank | | | | will have his/her own preferences but if you go |
| loan. Although there are cost benefits to be | | | | to any forum in the UK and ask if the Viessmann |
| gained by having a new condensing boiler these | | | | boilers are any good I will guarantee you wont |
| will be eaten up by repaying the loan. If your | | | | get an expert saying anything against them. |
| current boiler is in good working order and you | | | | Boilers can typically range in price from |
| are worried about it breaking down then a British | | | | £400 (B&Q) to £1400 (top |
| Gas homecare agreement is advisable at around | | | | Vaillant model) Although the £400 one will |
| £19 per month. An Npower agreement | | | | last for years and years if installed properly it is |
| which offers less benefits is also available at | | | | open to debate whether this boiler will last 10 |
| around £7.99 per month. | | | | years and even if it does, how much money you |
| Finding an installer - getting 3 quotes | | | | will have to spend on repairs? A great budget |
| You should aim for 3 quotes. This is more than | | | | boiler is the Glowworm Betacom 24KW. For the |
| adequate to get a good idea of what you want. | | | | price it represents very good value. It will depend |
| Each individual engineer will give you different ideas | | | | on your budget and what you feel comfortable. It |
| on how best to go forward. They will also have | | | | is always advisable to get quotes for different |
| their own favourite boilers and methods of | | | | boilers and you can see for yourself prices |
| working. It is a good idea to bounce ideas and | | | | differences. The price of the boiler will include all |
| questions around to ascertain whether the | | | | guarantees and if there are any issues with faulty |
| engineer is actually competent in the field he will | | | | manufacturer parts etc your installer will be |
| be required to work within. Unfortunately there | | | | responsible for this. Buying your own boiler and |
| are lots of newly qualified plumbers and gas | | | | getting an installer to fit it can present many |
| engineers in this industry and although they are | | | | problems. |
| perfectly safe and 'passed off' to work they may | | | | For example, is the boiler you are buying relatively |
| not be a) able to advise you of the most efficient | | | | new? It may look new, ie unopened packaging etc |
| method going forward, b) advise you completely | | | | but it may have been sitting in a garage for 2 |
| wrongly or c) not actually have an answer. | | | | years. If a boiler is not installed within one year of |
| Sometimes it may be difficult to find someone | | | | its manufacture date it will void any warranty. |
| you trust; after all, this will be a huge investment. | | | | Also, if any components are missing from your |
| Often using the yellow pages can be a bad idea. | | | | boiler then you will be ultimately responsible for |
| So can using someone who posts leaflets through | | | | lost time and expense. Most installers will not work |
| the door. The best and trusted method will | | | | this way for the above reasons as they simply |
| always be by personal recommendation. Asking | | | | do not know the history of the boiler and if a |
| the engineer lots of questions can also give you | | | | component fails after the boiler has been fitted it |
| some degree of confidence. Checking their Gas | | | | could cause significant problems. |
| Safe registration should also be a priority. | | | | Your installer will match your needs to a suitable |
| Unfortunately there are lots of illegal gas | | | | boiler |
| engineers operating and these people are putting | | | | Upgrading your pipework - gas and water |
| lives at risk. Checking someones gas safe | | | | pipework |
| registration is very easy. Ask to see a Gas Safe | | | | Gas pipework used to be run in 15mm from the |
| registration card. Every engineer carries a card | | | | meter to the boiler. There are new rules which |
| and it amazes me that 99.5% of customers do | | | | mean that pipework must be upgraded to 22mm |
| not ask for ID. Every engineer should be proud of | | | | as new condensing boilers are required to run on |
| their qualifications and love to show them off. Do | | | | 22mm copper pipework. If the routing is simple |
| not be shy and in future make a point of it. | | | | then this can be a simple job. Sometimes carpets |
| Once you have got your 3 quotes you need to | | | | need to be lifted and pipework will go under |
| analyse what you are getting. Quotes should be | | | | floorboards. A lot of companies have fixed prices |
| broken down as much as possible. This will give | | | | for pipework alterations and this includes fittings |
| you an idea of what exactly you are paying. I | | | | to give you an idea of price and labour charges. |
| don't understand how companies can justify listing | | | | All pipework should be clipped, there are |
| a load of materials and specifications and then | | | | regulations governing clipping distances for gas |
| adding a figure. Costs should be fixed price costs | | | | pipework. Pipework should always be secured and |
| whether you are a millionnaire or on a very low | | | | must be sleeved if passing through a cavity wall. |
| budget;) | | | | One end must be sealed also. Your installer will |
| It is best to get a written contract for your own | | | | bring you up to speed if you do have any |
| benefit. If the company doesn't offer one then | | | | concerns. If you are going from a system boiler |
| you can easily draw one up. This will protect | | | | to a combi boiler there will be lots of extra work |
| against faults that might develop later on after | | | | including altering pipework and removing tanks and |
| the system has been installed. If installed to best | | | | cylinders. This will mean more space in your airing |
| practice and following all manufacturers | | | | cupboard and loft space. |
| instructions then a central heating system will only | | | | Adding a MagnaClean |
| rarely breakdown due to a manufacturer | | | | Some companies will not fit and guarantee their |
| component fault. That is why respected installers | | | | work if you do not agree to having a MagnaClean |
| offer a personal guarantee on all their work, this | | | | fitted. This additional work can be carried out for |
| can be upto 5 years but 3 years is normal. This is | | | | a very reasonable price as they would be already |
| alongside normal manufacturer guarantees which | | | | carrying out work in the property. More |
| can be upto 5 years parts and labour. Other ways | | | | information can be found by clicking on the |
| of finding an installer can be the internet however | | | | MagnaClean website. Unfortunately new |
| personal recommendation is always the best | | | | condensing boiler have very weak heat |
| method. | | | | exchangers and the MagnaClean will save them |
| The current water pressure of your system | | | | from getting damaged. This is why most |
| Its very important to measure your mains water | | | | companies insist on every customer having one |
| pressure to ascertain whether a combi will actually | | | | installed. |
| work. You might not have enough pressure for a | | | | Adding thermostatic radiator valves/room |
| combi system to work so this will need to be | | | | thermostat |
| measured. A competent engineer will make sure | | | | Adding thermostatic radiator valves can |
| that this is one of the first things he does. If you | | | | significantly reduce your heating bills. It allows each |
| do have low pressure then your installation | | | | radiator to be controlled individually. Why have the |
| options will be limited. One example is when a | | | | heat on in the whole house when you only need it |
| mains pressure of 0.8bar from a customers | | | | in one? It is recommend not turning a valve |
| property is measured. A certain Vaillant boiler | | | | completely off but setting it to 1. Adding TRV's |
| which gives their full hot water output at just | | | | will in the long run save you lots of money and |
| 0.5bar would be recommended by any competent | | | | can be very cheap to install. Some companies will |
| engineer. This means that this boiler would be one | | | | have offers when supplying and fitting these. |
| of a very few boilers that could be considered for | | | | Energy efficiency should be promoted whenever. |
| this customers property. It could have been a | | | | A room stat or a programmable room stat is a |
| costly mistake not testing the mains water | | | | legal requirement. Your installer will advise what |
| pressure and this is one reason why this should | | | | the best option for you is. A wireless stat will be |
| be done as standard. Having said all of the above, | | | | more expensive but there is the advantage of no |
| problems are very very rare. Your water | | | | visible wiring. |
| company can advise on what your water | | | | Adding additional radiators |
| pressure is likely to be if you are concerned. If | | | | If you need to add additional radiators it is best to |
| for say you live on a very big hill you may have | | | | add these while having a new boiler installed. It will |
| reasons for concern. | | | | more than likely be cheaper. Some of your |
| Your current system - layout/design and | | | | radiators may be undersized or very old and you |
| condition, boiler siting | | | | should consider upgrading these. |
| Your current situation could have a large affect | | | | Powerflusing your system or flushing your |
| on cost of installation. Moving a boiler can add | | | | system |
| considerable expense as routing pipework can | | | | There is a huge difference between powerflushing |
| often be very tricky. Moving a boiler nearer the | | | | your central heating system or just flushing your |
| gas meter can sometimes cost the same as a | | | | system. Powerflusing involves higher pressure and |
| straight swap. This is because the gas meter | | | | circulates fresh water and special chemicals |
| pipework upgrade will require less materials and | | | | around your system. It is normally needed on |
| less labour. Although some re-routing of water | | | | older systems as sludge and dirt builds up over |
| pipes will be required. If you need to upgrade | | | | years and years. This will mean that you either |
| from a system to a combi boiler this will be the | | | | have cold spots or not very hot radiators. Having |
| costliest combi boiler installation. The system | | | | fresh water in a system means water can be |
| layout and pipework will need altering. The hot | | | | heated up to the maximum pressure the boiler will |
| water cylinder and tanks in the loft will need | | | | allow and will mean hotter radiatiors which in turn |
| removing. If you have a back boiler this will add | | | | means more efficiency. A powerflush is not a |
| time and expense on as well. | | | | legal requirement when replacing your boiler but it |
| This can sometimes be difficult to remove as | | | | is advisable. When a powerflush is taken with a |
| may cause the chimney to weaken. Your installer | | | | boiler installation discounts can be given. |
| would be able to advise whether the removal of | | | | Normal cold and hot water flushing is a |
| the back boiler is best left to a contracted a | | | | requirement when a boiler is installed. Cleanser and |
| builder. If there is going to be new pipework in | | | | inhibitor is added. A hot and cold flush must be |
| your property then it is desirable to have this | | | | done in order to work to best practice. New |
| under the floorboards and out of site. It makes | | | | boilers do not like any dirt in the system, heat |
| for a better, cleaner job. Beware of companies | | | | exchangers can get very 'clogged' up and the |
| wishing to take shortcuts or indeed charging more | | | | cost of replacement can be very great. |
| for lifting carpets and floorboards. There are strict | | | | Commissioning your system |
| rules governing where pipes are laid in joists. The | | | | Things that should be included in your installation |
| size of notches can weaken joists and limits are | | | | and are considered best practise: |
| set for this reason. It is simply unacceptable to | | | | 1. Flushing with Fernox or Sentinel product/filling |
| hang pipes loose - even pipes containing water. | | | | with inhibitor from same |
| Floorboards should be screwed back into place | | | | 2. Roomstat/programmer, TRV's (best practise, |
| and not nailed as this will just cause the floorboard | | | | recommended) |
| to loosen over time. Carpets and other fittings | | | | 3. Balancing and commissioning according to |
| should be left as found. It is normally the | | | | manufacturers instructions, important so as not to |
| customers responsibility to move furniture and | | | | invalidate warranty. |
| other items that are in the way. This is due to | | | | 4. Decommisioning of old boiler, tanks and all |
| responsibility issues. Common sense should always | | | | waste materials associated with installation |
| prevail of course. | | | | 5. Making good eg. new and old flue openings |
| If you have concrete floors then this can add alot | | | | 6. Completion of Benchmark log book, important. |
| of expense as digging into the floor can be costly. | | | | 7. Notification of new boiler to Building Control |
| The pipes will then need to be wrapped to ensure | | | | 8. At least 3 years guaranteed on pipework and |
| the concrete does not perforate them and this | | | | associated fitting (the boiler manufacturer will |
| ultimately causes a leak under your floor. Fixing | | | | have their own guarantees.) |
| this leak will mean you having to re-dig the | | | | The above should be in writing to protect your |
| concrete and replacing the pipework. If done | | | | expensive new purchase. |
| correctly and in accordance with manufacturers | | | | Filling in the benchmark/notifying building control |
| instructions its a very simple task. An engineer | | | | Filling in the benchmark and notifying building |
| who is not in the know as regards to regulations | | | | control is part of commissioning process and a |
| can cause severe problems. Boiler siting can also | | | | legal requirement. Pressures and temperatures |
| cause problems sometimes. New condensing | | | | need to be taken to ensure the system is |
| boilers may cause pluming issues and this can | | | | correctly configured. Not filling out the benchmark |
| cross neighbour boundaries. Pluming kits are | | | | and not notifying building control may cause |
| available and can eradicate this problem. Boiler flue | | | | problems if you ever decide to sell your property |
| terminal positions can also be a problem but these | | | | as proof the boiler was installed by a competent |
| will be rare. The terminal needs to be a minimum | | | | person will be required. |