Main boiler reviews, prices and installation guide for 2023 (2023)

FAQs

How much does a residential boiler cost? ›

Average Boiler Replacement Cost. The average cost to replace a residential boiler is $7,398, but the price can range from $1,200 to $16,000 depending on the following factors. Boiler type: Different boiler systems store and heat water in different ways, making them more or less complex to install.

If you've recently bought a new boiler or you're considering when it's time to get a replacement, you will most likely be wondering how long a typical boiler lasts. For an average household, boilers will last up to 10-15 years.

However, as a broad estimate, a new boiler installation will take between six hours and four days. We'll break down some examples below to give you more of an idea and explain the process in further detail.

Example: What Size Boiler Do I Need for 2,000 sq ft? So all you have to do is take the square footage and multiply it by 30. If your home is 2,000 square feet than you will need about 60,000 BTUs.

A new, well-maintained boiler is a lot more energy efficient than an old boiler. As a result, an efficient boiler can help cut energy costs. Even though it's a big upfront cost to install a new boiler, it'll be offset by the savings you make on your bills in the long term.

When is the best time to buy a boiler? We recommend waiting until the summer months to get your new one installed as you aren't reliant on your boiler for heating and it gives you plenty of time to shop around.

On average, a new boiler installation takes between 1-3 days. This can vary if the boiler is being moved from one room to another, however if this is a simple boiler installation we would expect this to be completed within 1 day.

In general, standard boilers last between 10 and 15 years in a usable state with minimum maintenance, although sometimes they might last 20 years. Beyond that, though, it's certainly worth upgrading.

Which brand of boiler is good? ›

Top 10 best boiler brands

#1 Worcester Bosch. #2 Viessmann Boilers. #3 Alpha Boilers. #4 Ideal Boilers.

Can a Plumber Ever Install a Boiler? Sometimes, yes – only if they are Gas Safe registered. Although a plumber doesn't need to have Gas Safe credentials, they might get them to make themselves a more versatile trader. If their details check out as Gas Safe registered, and they get good reviews, go for it.

You'll need to clear the areas around your current boiler and radiators so your engineer can access them. And you'll also need to clear a path in and out of your front and back doors. Your engineer will always be as tidy as possible but work areas can still get messy.

Boiler Capacity

An easy rule-of-thumb for BTU requirements is to figure that you need about 50 BTU per square foot of interior space in a cold climate; 35 BTU per square foot in a moderate climate; and 20 BTU per square foot in a hot climate.

As your home has 3 bedrooms, you'll need a boiler with an output between 18kW and 26kW and a cylinder with a 210 litre capacity. If you have 2 bathrooms, you'll likely just need an 18kW system boiler, whereas a home with 3 bathrooms will likely need a 26kW boiler.

Deciding what size boiler is right for your home

If your new boiler is too small, it might not be powerful enough to properly heat your home, or give you enough hot water. On the other hand, getting a bigger boiler than you need could lead to wasted energy which'll take its toll on your bills and on the environment.

This is due to the labour of running the new pipework and the cost of the materials required. If your new boiler location is in the same room or fairly close to the old location then it should take between half a day to a day to move.

Condensing gas boilers are the most cost-efficient. Gas is the cheapest fuel compared to electricity, oil, coal, and LPG. You can also switch to a low-carbon heating heat pump that reduces the cost depending on the fuel type and system you are replacing.

Why are new boilers so expensive? ›

The cost of upgrading includes the full removal of your old boiler and water cylinder and upgraded pipework where required. The additional cost comes from the extra time and engineers required.

The answer is yes, a boiler can last for 30 years or even more, but as with any piece of equipment, its longevity is dependent on a number of factors. In this post, we will focus on high-pressure steam boilers for industrial and commercial applications and how best to extend their lives.

Lowering the flow temperature on your combi boiler can be a great way to reduce your energy usage without turning down the thermostat. However, reducing the flow temperature may not be appropriate for everyone. If you're worried about heating your home quickly it may not be right for you.

The standard modern hot water boiler will last around 20 years, sometimes more. Older cast iron steam boilers can last longer, and may even reach 50 years—but this is rare, and you probably don't have a cast-iron steam boiler.

If the new combi boiler is going in the same location as the conventional boiler was, then you will need to run hot and cold water pipes to the combi boiler and upgrade the gas pipe if needed.

Ask about the warranty with the new boiler and whether there are any guarantees on the entire installation e.g. pipework and other plumbing that may be necessary. Find out whether any warranties include parts and labour. As the heating engineer what type of boiler they usually install and why.

Whenever you decide on a new boiler installation, you need to flush your existing radiator system out. (Unless you are installing brand new radiators).

Over 25 years old: 60-70% efficient. 20 years old: 75% efficient. 15 years old 80-85% efficient. 10+ years old 80-85% efficient.

Typically it's recommended to change your boiler every 15 years as an older boiler has to work harder to heat your home. A new boiler will also be running on maximum efficiency which means it will be using less fuel to heat your home - which will help keep heating costs down.

Some of these boilers can last even up to 50 years or longer, but even with decent annual maintenance, their efficiencies are much lower than today's cast iron boilers. Often times, the energy savings from a new boiler replacement alone practically pays for the cost itself within a year or two.

How do I choose a boiler installer? ›

They must be gas safe registered. They must have public liability insurance. They must be able to provide references on their previous boiler installation job.

Main heating is a part of the Baxi Heating Group. You may recognise this as in our other articles we list the other companies in the group. Baxi heating has within its group some of the best-known boiler manufacturer brands in the world.

There are three main types of boiler: combi, heat only and system.

Air source heat pumps use a small amount of electricity, but they have a high energy efficiency rate of 300% – 400%. This means they produce 3 to 4 times more energy than they use, making them a better, low-carbon alternative to heating/cooling homes in the foreseeable future.

Older boiler energy efficiency ratings

Over 25 years old: 60% efficient. 20 years old: 70% efficient. 15 years old: 80% efficient. 10+ years old: 85% efficient.

The largest boiler efficiency loss is sensible heat lost as hot flue gases (and ash) exit the boiler. The volume of flue gas exiting the boiler is dependent on fuel composition and excess air levels.

High-efficiency boilers cost between $6,000 and $11,000. To be considered high-efficiency, a boiler must have an AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating of 90 or more. This means that the boiler can convert 90% or more of its fuel into heat.

Fire tube boilers are the most common type of boiler. The burning fuel passes through a series of tubes composed of a mild steel material, located within the water tank. As the fuel is pumped through the tubes, heat is transferred to the water, ultimately producing steam. Most modern boilers run on natural gas.

Planning permission is not normally required for installation or replacement of a boiler or heating system if all the work is internal, though if you live in a listed building you should check with your local planning authority.

Plumbers typically work on heating systems, including radiators and pipework, but not all of them are qualified to work on the boiler itself or the gas pipe. However, these days you'll find that some plumbers have also trained as Gas Safe engineers – making them well-equipped to repair a gas boiler.

How many pipes go into a boiler? ›

You will find seven pipes attached to the boiler: A gas supply pipe. Mains cold water inlet. Hot water outlet.

This involves connecting to pumps, pipes to your radiators and water outlets, and your cold water mains supply. There might be connections to hot and cold water storage tanks as well. Depending on the boiler you have selected, the time and extent of the installation will vary.

Like combination boilers, system boilers do not require a water tank. The central heating and hot water is provided via a sealed hot water storage cylinder, which is normally located in loft space or airing an airing cupboard.

Overall, boiler installations can take anywhere from a couple of hours to a few days, depending on the location, fuel type and other factors. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of getting a boiler replacement, including considering upgrades and relocating.

Modern boilers are more efficient than older boilers for several reasons, but their main advantage is that they are 'condensing'. A condensing boiler recovers more heat from the exhaust flue gas and uses it to heat the central heating water, making it more efficient than older boilers.

Over time, older gas boilers become less efficient and can struggle to heat your property. A new, modern gas boiler can create a warmer and more comfortable atmosphere for your home.

Installing a new furnace will cost somewhere between $1,200-5,000 depending on the fuel it runs on. A boiler, on the other hand, can cost between $5,000 and over $8,000 depending on the fuel it runs on. Homeowners also find savings with furnaces when they are installed with a Central Air system.

Boiler Energy Efficiency: In general, boilers can produce heat using less fuel. Thus, property owners won't pay more in energy costs. Quieter: Boilers don't produce hot air and force it through a closed system. As a result, they offer significantly quieter operation than most furnaces.

Boiler Capacity

An easy rule-of-thumb for BTU requirements is to figure that you need about 50 BTU per square foot of interior space in a cold climate; 35 BTU per square foot in a moderate climate; and 20 BTU per square foot in a hot climate.

What type of boiler is most economical? ›

The average furnace life expectancy is 15 to 20 years. Boilers can last up to 30 years, letting a whole generation grow up in a house with the same heating system.