Boiler Replacement
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It is normally time to replace your boiler if: 1. Your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old 2. Your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old. 3. Your equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are going up. 4. Your cooling or heating equipment may have become less efficient. 5. There are large fluctuations between heat and cold between the different rooms in the house. 6. Equipment is no longer functioning as intended, which may be due to inadequate insulation or leaky ductwork. Beyond the above reasons, if you are intending to replace your existing boiler, or install a new central heating system, the cost will normally be at the forefront of your mind, which will be influenced by the type of fuel you intend to use (gas or oil etc.). However any quote you obtain will involve numerous factors which if you are informed will help you to understand the bigger picture. Because each boiler installation is different from another (due to the unique requirements of each individual home), and the overall goal is to obtain a future free from repairs and high running costs, it is incumbent that you inform yourself of the process involved so to avoid any unnecessary mishaps that could occur in the future. As boiler installation is regulated by law, the process is governed by the latest regulations, for instance, condensing boilers are compulsory. Condensing boilers burn fuel to heat water in a large metal heat exchanger to maximize heat transfer from the burner and recapture useful heat from the flue gases, the newer versions being energy efficient. On that note of energy efficiency, it may be necessary to have fitted thermostatic radiator valves and heating controls to meet the energy efficiency levels required. Also, it may be necessary to have a new gas supply pipe for a boiler replacement installation to ensure the the pressure of gas delivered to the boiler meets the required level. Selecting your boiler type (e.g. combination/combi boiler or open vent boiler or system boiler) will be determined by the size of your property, intended usage (for instance of hot water being used by many occupants silmutaneously ie. in large families), required efficiency and power output and location of installation and availability of necessary wiring and pipework (usually in kitchen or utility room). It may be that your replacement boiler can use the existing electrical wiring for the current boiler. However there are also instances when the boiler replacement is not as straightforward as exchanging the boilers. Power flushing may be necessary prior to fitting the new boiler to ensure any build-up in the system does not cause the boiler to fail. Boilers are rated according to their efficiency in converting fuel to heat as a percentage. This rating is known as SEDBUK (2005,2009) (Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK) whereby very recent legislation (2010) now stipulates that all new boiler installations must be a minimum of 88% efficient or A-rated. Considering the above will assist you to better understand any quote you may receive for the replacement of your boiler and it would be normal practice to obtain several quotes to ensure you are getting good value, as part of the exercise is to save as much money as possible, as easily as possible. You can expect the replacement to take place in one day, but this is dependent upon any alterations that may be required. Always ensure the work is carried out by Gas Safe registered and qualified engineers. |
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Page last updated: 10/11/2011 * Disclaimer: All article content is the opinion of the author and does not represent the views of RenovationFinance.co.uk. In all instances, you are advised to seek independent advice. |
