After much deliberation about which heating system to install in your house, you finally decide to go with a gas boiler. You have probably investigated various options and decided that gas would be the most economical because the gas itself is clean, cheap to buy and the perfect choice for getting you through those cold winter nights. Aside from the effectiveness of running a modern, high efficiency gas boiler, there were probably many more important factors to be considered before making your gas boiler purchasing decision.

Buying a New Gas Boiler?

One important factor, and probably the main reason why you decided to buy a gas boiler, is the fact the unit itself is so cost-effective. Coal fired boilers, for example, are significantly more expensive to run, can be dirty to handle and need storage for fuel reserves. There are also the environmental hazards to consider. Burning up any fossil fuel can have a negative impact on the world around us and contribute to global warming and coal can be one of the worst offenders. With gas you can be green and eco-friendly. At least there are a number of highly efficient options available and it won’t leave a serious dent in your pocket or have major adverse effects on the environment. A new gas boiler needs to comply with goverment legislation which demands a minimum level of efficiency.

Some new gas boilers are more difficult to integrate into a heating system than others, so you probably considered how easy it will be to install from the outset. If you are replacing an old boiler for a new one then it should be fairly simple and straightforward. However, any new unit must be compatible with your existing system and be capable of producing the appropriate amount of heat. You therefore probably thought it would be a good idea to get your house professionally assessed and the boiler output properly calculated to avoid any expensive mistakes. New gas boilers need to be fitted professionally and maintained correctly to meet government regulations so you will have researched and found a reliable Gas Safe registered fitter.

Your location, type of accommodation, availability of services and space will have been factors in determining the best spot to fit your gas boiler, either inside or outside your home. The size of the boiler can also play a part here, as well as the need for floor standing, wall mounted or compact models. And, of course, it goes without saying you will have checked to make sure your home has a ready supply of gas! There are still a few unfortunate remote rural locations in the UK that have no prospect of connecting to the gas mains.

If you are looking to replace your boiler there are several key points you should keep in mind check them out below:

Replacement Boilers

• All new boilers have to have an efficiency rating of either A or B. Buy a new boiler with an A rating tends to cost slightly more, however, they will save money on the heating and hot water bills in the long run.
• Your new boiler should be as easy to install as possible so there is little or no disruption to your house or daily life. Choosing a replacement boiler that has to go on a different wall or in a different room to your current boiler can cause problems, especially with regards to the flue. Easy to install boilers are often easy to maintain and service as well. Gas boiler engineers and servicing contractors can access the boiler to fit new parts more easily, cutting down the time it takes ti fix,  which means less hassle during its annual gas boiler check-up.
• You should also be able to work your new boiler without having a degree in engineering. Simple controls and easy to program timers are a standard feature on many new boilers however some still have more complex systems that may need a bit of working out. Baxi gas boilers are notoriously eay to use as well as British Gas boilers, so check out a boiler review or two right here on Buyability.
• It is important your replacement boiler has the correct power output for the size of your home. Fitting a high powered boiler in a one bedroom flat is going to result in a large waste of energy and on the other hand, fitting a low or medium powered boiler in a large (3-4 bedroom) house with more than one bathroom might result in low flow rates when several water outputs are being used at the same time.
• Most new boilers  have low CO₂ and NO_{x ­}emissions which mean they are better for the environment. Some are lower than others though and it might be worth taking this into consideration along with the energy efficiency rating.
• New boilers should be fitted by Gas Safe engineers, always check that the person fitting the boiler is qualified. They should have Gas Safe badge to prove they are qualified.
• Storage space is a premium in most family homes and by choosing a combination boiler rather than a regular or system boiler you can do away with the hot water tank in the loft or the airing cupboard. Combination boilers are recommended by most gas engineers today because of their efficiency and also because they need a lot less space in the house.
• Old G-rated boilers can be unreliable and breakdown a lot. This can put a strain on your pocket and patience. When you are buying a new boiler check what kind of warranty they have for servicing, parts and labour. British Gas have a product call Homecare which can take care of your boiler and plumbing. Also Baxi Gas boilers often come with an aftersales warranty which is taken care of by their Heateam.
• Ideally when you are replacing your boiler you should use a local company. British Gas are the largest installers of boilers in the UK and they even provide a free consultation with quote. So even if you don’t decide to use them you can still obtain some free advice on which boiler would be best for your needs.
• If you want to find a great deal on a boiler you can use the quote you received from British Gas and go direct to the manufacturer. You may be able to get it cheaper. You can then obtain a few installation quotes before you buy and see if it works out cheaper.

So as you can see there are quite a few factors to look at and research before buying a new or replacement boiler. Taking a little time to assess the features of different gas boilers can save you a lot of time and trouble when having it fitted and a fair bit of money on future heating and hot water bills – which is surely a bonus in anybody’s book.

Guest Article by Max Rickman