What do I do if I need a new boiler

Needing a new boiler is never a situation you want to be in as a homeowner.

When your boiler is on its last legs it is important to move onto a new model, rather than sinking money into an outdated and inefficient unit. Once your boiler is on its last legs its time to upgrade.

Before buying a new boiler there are a few key things you should consider to help save money and stress. We’ve broken these key factors into five groups below to help you make the right decision for you and your home.

Different types of boilers

One of the most important questions to consider when you are looking to purchase a new boiler is what type of boiler is best for your property and situation.

Conventional Boiler

Also known as heat-only, open-vent, and regular, conventional boilers are traditionally found in older UK properties.

Conventional boilers operate heating water and storing it within a cylinder. They also require a feed and expansion tank which can take up large amounts of loft space. This tank feeds cold water to the boiler, rather than being fed directly from the mains.

These older designs require a substantial amount of pipe and fitting work and are often only installed within properties that had a conventional model beforehand. They are also known to be less efficient than other options, such as system and combi boilers.

System Boiler

System boilers are similar to conventional boilers but hold a few key advantages. One of these is the fact that a system boiler is a pressurised heating circuit and doesn’t rely on a header tank. This means they save a large amount of loft space and are better suited for properties with more than one bathroom.

The down fall of system boilers is that they still require more space than combi boilers and that they don’t always perform well during busy periods. This means having multiple hot water appliances on at once could result in cold spells.

Electric Combi Boiler

Combination boilers bring all aspects of traditional central heating systems into one unit. Utilising modern forms of condensation technology, a combi boiler is able to deliver heating and hot water on demand.

They are also far more compact then their older alternatives, saving you space across your property.

Their greater efficiency also allows owners to save money and reduce their carbon footprint, while enjoying the benefits of having hot water on demand.

The only drawbacks to combi boilers is that they require high mains pressure to work effectively and aren’t always the best option for homes with multiple bathrooms.

All three options should be seriously considered when choosing a new boiler. If possible though, we recommend going with a newer combi boiler for better peace of mind.

Size of boiler

Once you have decided which boiler is best suited for your situation and property you then have to consider what size suits your needs.

Boiler size is measured in kW output which refers to the amount of heat that the unit can produce.

Before making your decision on which kW output is best for you should consider:

• The number of radiators you have
• Your properties size
• Your properties layout
• Your properties heat loss
• Boiler fuel type

All of these elements should factor in to your decision when choosing which size boiler best suits your property. There is no point in upgrading to a modern combi boiler if you get one installed that is far too small or big for your property.

Set your budget

With all the main aspects laid out you should then set out what your maximum and minimum budget is. This will allow you to shop around for a unit much more effectively.

You should also plan ahead to get your boiler purchased and installed in the summer, this will save you a lot of money and decrease the chance of a cancelled appointment. Buying your boiler in the middle of winter is far from ideal.

Boiler warranty

It’s also important to look at what warranties are offered by different brands. More expensive units such as combi boilers are usually subject to longer warranties, so in some situations it may save you money in the long run to go for the more expensive units. Why not check out our current Alpha Boiler Installation Offer? If you install your new Alpha boiler with us, you get 10 year warranty for peace of mind.

Boiler installer

You should also take into account who will be installing your boiler when you purchase it. Make sure the installers are Gas Safe accredited and are available for the install on the date you want it fitted.

Need to book a boiler installation, call our customer service team at 020 8722 7032.

Alpha boilers

At SES Home Services we recommend boilers from Alpha. Not only can our Gas Safe engineers fit the boilers for you, but they are offered at a competitive price. That along with their fantastic warranties makes Alpha a top contender for your new boiler.

Give us a call and we will give you an affordable boiler installation quote today.

Buying and getting a new boiler installed can be a stressful process. With the guide above we hope that you have a clearer vision of what you need to get the most out of the process, for you and your home.

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