Turning on the heat with a new boiler

6th February 2019 Home

This is a collaborative post.

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It’s winter. That means that the country gets a little prettier: filled with frost and snow. It’s also when the country gets a lot colder and my social media feed becomes filled with the wails of friends whose boilers have broken! There have been 7 so far since the snow arrived last week and I won’t lie, it’s something that I live in fear of at this time of year. Especially with 2 young children in the house.

When the worst happens and you find yourself in minus degree temperatures and in need of a new boiler, the worst thing you can do is rush out and buy a new one. Instead, you need to pause and make sure you get the best deal.

COST

The cost range of boilers varies dramatically, with the cheapest starting at around £400 all the way up to £5,000 for the most expensive on the market. Therefore, although you may be in a rush, it’s extremely important to compare boiler prices to ensure you are getting the best deal available to you. Cheaper boilers traditionally will have shorter life spans and a lower customer support service compared to higher end models. However, that does not mean that there are not bargains to be had.

Make sure you also explore what options you may have available to you as the ECO4 boiler scheme has been introduced to help homeowners improve their energy efficiency, lower their energy bills, and contribute to environmental sustainability.

ADDITONAL COSTS 

In addition to the cost of the boiler unit, there are other costs which you need to consider when making your decision. The first is the efficiency of the boiler. It may mean spending more on the boiler unit, but the most efficient boiler you are able to purchase will benefit you in the long term. This will allow your home to run more efficiently and will help to lower your energy bills.

The second cost to consider is the installation cost. Most of the boiler prices you will see online will not include labour costs, nor does it include any additional smaller pieces required in the installation. Prices such as piping and plumbing tape etc. Therefore, it’s imperative that you also compare installation costs when shopping around for your replacement boiler.

WHAT TO CONSIDER

First of all, you need to consider what type of boiler you need. There are three main types available to you:

• A combination boiler 0r ‘combi boiler’ – heats water as you need it and means that you do not need an additional storage tank
• A heat-only boiler or conventional boiler – a hot water tank (or cylinder) where hot water is stored to be used when you need it.
• A system boiler – also uses a hot water tank but with more components built in. System boilers are often easier to install and take up less room.

When deciding on which boiler to use you need to consider not only the size of your property and the specifications you need, but also your existing heating system. As you should also consider whether your entire system needs an overhaul. This could be a good time to look at a full central heating installation cost as a comparison.

Now, I know all this is easier said than done. As when you’re cold at home you what to get you boiler fixed or replaced as soon as possible. However, it’s worth filling up the hot water bottle and wrapping up warm so you can take a little extra time to ensure you get the best possible deal available to you.