Getting it right with a boiler is essential as a homeowner so choosing, installing and maintaining your boiler are all important elements to consider.
Do not make any rash decisions until you have done your research.
Paying over the odds for an installation or forgetting to add a service package into the cost of your new boiler could leave you exasperated.
Choosing a boiler
Choosing a boiler these days is a lot harder in some ways as there are a whole host of compact and highly efficient systems to choose from.
Most people choose gas boilers but oil boilers are still available in various forms.
The size of boiler needs to be the right size for your home – too small and it will be struggling to heat your water and your home and in the process, using more energy.
Too large and you are paying for something unnecessary.
Combination boilers also known as combi boilers are one small unit stored within a property providing instant hot water as well as heating radiators, with no need for a water tank.
They are highly efficient as you only heat the water you want to use, plus they are cheaper to install than alternatives.
The down side of these boilers is that they are not designed for large households with the need for lots of hot water.
Condensing boilers come as regular and combination boilers and are again, energy efficient.
Water returning to the boiler is used and pre heated by the system instead of being expelled into the air via a flu, thus using less energy.
You should also consider looking into the type of fuel a boiler uses when choosing a boiler system for your home.
Be it gas, oil or LPG. Boiler efficiency should also be high on your list as well as different types of boiler brands available on the market.
Check out details on the which? website for reviews on the latest ones available.
Installing a boiler
The primary focus when having a boiler installed is that it is done by a Gas Safe Installer and that it is checked regularly.
Do not try to install a boiler by yourself as this is not a DIY job.
Installing a boiler is probably the largest amount of money you will spend on a household appliance.
Check carefully as boiler installation costs vary enormously depending on how much work is required, the parts needed and their availability, where you live and who you employ for the job.
Installing a boiler will often mean you are replacing an existing one which means you will have to dispose your old one safely first.
If your boiler is very old then it might mean your system needs a mechanical flush before installation begins.
If you are putting a boiler into a new location in your home then there is extensive plumbing work involved.
Maintaining a boiler
Once you have chosen and installed your boiler that is not the end.
You still have to maintain the upkeep of your system to make sure it is efficient as possible.
By not maintaining a boiler the repair work will be more expensive than having regular service checks.
Again, you will need to make sure that the plumber servicing your boiler is Gas Safe Registered.
When you buy your boiler you might also consider buying a service package to go with it.
In the event of a boiler problem a plumber will carry out a gas tightness test to make sure there are no gas leaks, various other tests to measure the functionality of the boiler system will also take place.
Once the problem is highlighted any parts or boiler repair work will be carried out and a final test of the boiler will be conducted again.
As a word of caution you should think about getting your boiler checked before the winter months set in; going without heat for even a few days in the depths of winter is not a good idea.
