Buying a new boiler for your home is a very important task, and you should be very picky when finding the right boiler for you. Certain factors should 100% be considered when buying a new boiler, which is listed below.
1. The type of boiler you want to buy
There are three types of boilers: combi boilers, heat-only boilers and system boilers.
Combi boilers
A combi (or combination) boiler combines heating and hot water production. A combi boiler will heat the water directly from the cold water mains.
Whether a combi boiler is a right choice for you depends on the house you live in. If the house is an old building, there is a high chance that the pipework is also old. If this is the case, installing a combi boiler may lead to leaks.
A combi boiler also requires a decent incoming water pressure and a good internal flow rate throughout the house.
Another aspect is whether the house has a lot of bathrooms – a combi boiler will be able to withstand one or two bathrooms but will begin to struggle with anymore. Combi boilers are typically the most popular in the UK.
Heat only boilers
Heat-only boilers, also known as ‘conventional’ or ‘regular boilers’, provide hot water to places it is needed, for instance, taps, showerheads or radiators, through a pipework system within the home. This system tends to be found in older buildings and is rarely used anymore due to the need for extensive pipework to connect the boiler to the mains.
System boilers
A system boiler should definitely be chosen if your house is large or larger than your average home. This boiler stores hot water in a cylinder, which can handle a higher demand than the combi boiler, especially the heat-only boilers. If you have two or more bathrooms within your house, then the system boiler is the better choice for you.
Annoyingly, you may have to wait for your hot water cylinder to fill, and you will need the storage space to store the cylinder and a tank.
2. The accreditations of your installation engineers
When getting any work done to your house, it is always a concern that you are getting a fair price and a good quality service.
Multiple things can go wrong when it comes to plumbing and working around your boiler. This is why you must thoroughly check the plumber or plumbing company you are employing to get the job done.
Using a plumber that isn’t properly accredited may lead to further complications, like your boiler becoming broken. If your boiler has broken unexpectedly, you may be in a rush to call a few local emergency plumbers, but be careful – make sure to check reviews initially, or you may end up paying for it twice to undo some bad work!
3. Your budget
Setting a budget is definitely a must. Doing your research on the cost of different boilers and their size, you may need a great way to acquire a budget.
It’s not only the cost of the boiler itself that can be expensive but the rate for the plumber who is installing it. Make sure to do your research on the plumbers in your area too.
Research factors such as their cost, what other work they have done, and whether their customers have received positive or negative reviews. Factors that sometimes go unchecked is whether the boiler engineer is Gas Safe registered and experienced in installing your chosen brand of boiler – make sure to check these.
With current ongoing political affairs, the cost of living has risen and is said to rise even further, so it is more important than ever to ensure you are getting the most out of your money.
4. The manufacturer warranty
Each boiler will have a different length of warranty and requirements to meet said warranty to ensure you are entitled to it. It is important to check all the different guarantees that each boiler company offers.
Ensure you register as soon as possible to ensure that if anything happens to your boiler within the allocated amount of time, you won’t lose out.
Here are some examples of different types of warranty:
Worcester Bosch – They will give you a 12 year warranty, but only if it is installed by a Worcester accredited installer.
Ideal – They offer 12 years of warranty, but only if the ideal boiler is installed by an ideal max accredited installer.
Baxi – Offers a 10 year warranty.
Overall, make sure you do your research before hiring a plumber, as it can save you time and money in the long run!
