Many people wonder when the best time to replace their boiler is or when they will know that a boiler is nearing the end of its life.

There are many ways in which you can evaluate and assess how your boiler is performing and whether it needs replacing.

Firstly, you should look at the age and type of boiler which you have. If the boiler is more than ten years old then you need to consider how energy efficient the boiler is. Newer models are not only better for the environment saving up to 30% in carbon emissions but also cheaper to run and could save you up to 40% on heating bills. So, you should consider the long-term gain associated with installing a newer model. Remember, the older your boiler the more energy inefficient it is considered and the more costly it is to run.

Secondly, you should consider the amount of servicing that your boiler has had. If a boiler is serviced annually and issues are fixed when they are found then the boilers lifespan will be significantly increased. A well maintained boiler is also likely to be more efficient. Therefore if your boiler doesn’t have a service history then it will probably need to be replaced sooner than one which does.

Thirdly and related to both the age of the boiler and its service history you will need to consider the availability of parts when the boiler breaks down. For some older boilers it is harder to find replacement parts making it more costly to fix potential issues. If this becomes the case it may be worthwhile investing in a newer boiler.

Fourthly, you need to evaluate your usage patterns. This means looking at the size of your family and whether this is likely to grow or reduce in size and the demands that are placed on the hot water. Does the boiler currently meet the demands of the household? If not, then this means that it could be time to get a new boiler which is either built to cope with the growing demands placed upon it by the household or a smaller one if the demand is likely to become less.

Finally, you may have cosmetic reasons for replacing a boiler. If you are redesigning or extending your home and require the space for some other purpose then the boiler will need to be removed or replaced. If this is the case then the factors that are outlined above will need to be reconsidered as to whether a new boiler is required or not.

Guest Article by Sarah Wain

Buying a new gas combination boiler is expensive and therefore buying the right one is essential to ensure it not only works efficiently but saves you money in the long-term.

There are many factors to consider in the buying process and to help you find the right boiler for your property here are five factors to consider.

Firstly, you need to consider what size boiler you require. When looking to replace your boiler it is initially important to know what size boiler is suitable for the type of property that you own. Most combination boilers will come in four sizes which vary in output. Smaller boilers will be suitable for flats and therefore the larger the property the greater kilowatt boiler is recommended.

Secondly, you need to think about the location of the boiler. If you are replacing an old boiler then the cheapest and quickest option is to locate the new boiler where the old boiler was. This will also mean that the pipes are located in the right place if you are installing a like-for-like boiler. If you do want to install the boiler in a new location then you need to ensure that the wall where it will be installed is near an external wall as the flue and drain needs to go outside and you will also need to ensure that it is near a gas supply pipe.

Thirdly, you need to ensure you understand the boiler requirements and know what control you need. By this it means understanding where the waste pipe needs to go to double-check you have chosen the most appropriate location for the boiler and to ensure you have the correct gas pipe size that can be easily attached to the boiler as well as water pressure requirements. It will also be important to know what thermostatic controls you need.

Fourthly, you need to decide on the brand that suits your needs. It is recommended you get some brochures and do some research about the best boiler. It is often useful to speak to family and friends to gain personal recommendations to ensure you are buying a brand that you know you can trust.

Finally, you need to factor in timescales and cost. The timescale to replace the boiler will depend on when you need it. You should remember if you are replacing a like-for-like boiler then this will be quicker than if replacing a totally different boiler. If you are not replacing a like-for-like and moving the location of the boiler then you will need to factor in the possibility of it taking a few days and therefore you will be without heat and hot water during this period. The biggest question is then cost of replacing your boiler. This will depend on size and the amount of work required fitting the boiler. To give a rough estimate, replacing a combination boiler with a new combination boiler will cost you in the region of £1000-£1800.

Guest Article by Sarah Wain

When you are looking to replace your boiler have you ever considered purchasing a reconditioned one?

Reconditioned boilers are often thought to be a more cost-effective way to purchase a replacement boiler. This is because the amount of capital outlay required is less than if purchasing a new boiler (typically a reconditioned boiler costs around 40% less than a new boiler) and depreciation in cost is also less than that experienced from a new boiler.

As well as the cost advantages, reconditioned boilers will have been refurbished to the highest of standards so you won’t need to worry about the condition and quality of the boiler. In most cases the reconditioned boiler will come with the same guarantees as a new boiler, so you will be safe in the knowledge that the boiler will comfortably meet a household’s need for the foreseeable future.

It is therefore no wonder that many households are opting to install reconditioned boilers. If you decide that a reconditioned boiler is for you then there are some considerations you need to bear in mind before you purchase one. You first need to ensure that it comes from a reputable company, is a well-known brand and has a robust guarantee associated to it. Secondly, it will be vital to assess the boiler in relation to its year of manufacture, usage history, service history and review its annual inspection certificate to make sure that it is reconditioned appropriately.

However, regardless of whether you purchase a new or reconditioned boiler there are a number of questions that you need to ask yourself to ensure that you buy the best boiler for your home. These questions include:

• What type of boiler that you want? You will need to decide which sort of boiler is best for your home. Traditionally conventional or combi boilers are the most popular for households as they are the most energy efficient and easy to maintain.
• What is your budget? You will need to consider how much you are willing to spend on the new boiler and how you are going to pay for the new appliance.
• Where will the boiler be situated? It is important to know where you want to locate the boiler so that any flues and ventilation requirements can be considered.
• What are the usage requirements you are going to place upon the boiler? You will need to consider how your household will use the boiler and make sure the specification of the boiler you are interested in purchasing can cope with the demand that you are going to place upon it.

There are also a number of questions you should ask yourself about the company or engineer you choose to ensure they can install the reconditioned boiler correctly, these questions are:

• Are they a well-established and reputable company?
• Are they gas qualified and will the work they carry out be guaranteed?
• Do they offer a robust maintenance and service programme?

In conclusion, you should remember that when you make a decision as to whether to purchase a reconditioned boiler compared to a new boiler then you need to consider your requirements carefully. Make sure you have sound background knowledge of what type of boiler system you want to make sure you can make an informed decision when you purchase the boiler.

Guest Article by Sarah Wain

What is a combi boiler?

There are a wide array of boiler products which can be confusing to the general consumer. If pushed, few would be aware of the difference between a combi boiler and a regular system, but the distinction is important to all householders, especially those who are keen to save money and the environment.

A combi boiler is essential for all those that want the most out of their heating system, as it’s simply the most efficient. Although the wonder boiler of the moment does have drawbacks.

A combi boiler is a shortened phrase for its longer title: combination boiler. It means that two processes are combined into one. The process of heating water for the hot water taps and at the same time heating water for the central heating system, takes place within the boiler itself, on demand.

So, when someone turns on a hot tap and expects litres of suitably warmed water, the boiler kicks into action and provides the necessary water. Likewise if the thermostat asks for hot water for the radiators, the boiler kicks into action and heats the water which will be pushed around the house’s pipework.

The big difference are the words, on demand. A combi boiler will only heat water when it is required. This is the major difference with a regular boiler which is always heating water that can be used at a later time. The regular boiler will heat water at allotted periods which will be stored in a large metal tank for later use.

The problem with the regular boiler system is obvious. As soon as the precious energy is used to heat the water, once you don’t use it and start storing it in the water tank (no matter how good the insulation), it begins to cool and indeed, not all of it will be used before its heated to the correct temperature again. If you consider the amount of wasted energy in this process, then the amount of wasted energy, and therefore money, can mount up considerably.

Also, the regular boiler is more expensive, as it requires a water tank, insulation, additional pipework and a cold water feed tank in the loft. The combination boiler requires none of these. No water is stored and the cold water is fed directly from the mains. So, no hot water tank and no feeder tank is required, nor the associated pipework, meaning purchase and installation costs can be reduced significantly.

Combination boilers pass cold water through a heat exchanger which transfers heat to the water while ensuring only a small amount of energy is lost through waste gasses. This is how the boiler can provide hot water without the need for a water tank or an immersion heater. This hot water can then be used for taps or pushed into radiators to provide central heating.

But the drawback of the combi boiler is immediately apparent: hot water flow rate. In other words, when you turn on the hot water tap, in the kitchen, or bathroom, how much hot water will be available and at what rate. This is why combi boilers have not only their hot water ratings (the temperature) published, but also their flow rates. These are based on the number of litres of hot water per minute the boiler can supply.

Gas combination boilers are currently the most popular boilers households are installing with around 70% of UK homes using one.

If you are interested in purchasing a combination boiler then you will need to consider its advantages and disadvantages to ensure it is the type of boiler for your households needs.

Advantages of gas combination boilers

The main advantage is the water is heated instantly and this therefore means you don’t need to wait for a hot water tank to heat up to get the hot water. This also means hot water won’t run out and you don’t require the space to put a hot water tank so combination boilers are good space saving appliances.

Another main advantage is these boilers are more economical. The reason is because savings are made on the cost of heating the water as the flow of water is at the same pressure as if it was coming from the mains water supply. Also because there is no hot water tank it means the boilers are quicker and easier to install which cuts costs and means the boiler will require less maintenance over its lifetime.

Disadvantages of gas combination boilers

The disadvantages of these boilers however include the water flow of the other taps in the house will be affected and limited when running at the same time. Therefore, it will be important for households installing these boilers then you need to ensure you have an adequate water supply that doesn’t have any pressure issues as this could really affect the performance of the combination boiler.

Another potential disadvantage is you will be getting rid of your airing cupboard as the hot water tank is no longer required. But this could be seen as a plus if you want more space.

Therefore, if you are looking to install a combination boiler you can see there are many advantages and disadvantages which highlight why you may want to choose to install one. And if you are looking for a boiler to provide hot water on demand and one that is energy efficient which can help reduce your current fuel bill then this is the boiler for you.

Guest Article by Sarah Wain

The end of summer is fast approaching and with September experiencing some last minute sunshine you will still be enjoying the break you are having from heating your home over the summer months.

However, during the summer period you should have been thinking ahead to the winter months and getting your boiler and central heating system serviced and if necessary repaired or replaced over this quiet period.

This is because summer is the best time to get the condition of your boiler checked-out by a qualified tradesman and there are many reasons why.

Firstly, if your boiler does have a problem then it can be fixed on your own time and the repair doesn’t become an emergency as if it arose over the winter months. Having this flexibility of time would just not be a factor in winter months.

Secondly, the price may be cheaper in the summer as the engineer and their resources will not be so pressed and booked up. Many companies offer households incentive schemes in the summer months to replace their boilers as they find that their engineers are less busy over this period. Currently, British Gas is running a £400 boiler scrappage scheme on selected new boilers. This means that households who are with British Gas can get a quote to trade-in their old boiler to a newer more energy efficient Worcester boiler and save £400. The only proviso is that the quote and installation needs to take place by the 2nd October 2011.

Finally, if you have to replace your boiler completely, by doing it in the summer months it will mean that you won’t experience any loss of heating as it won’t be on anyway. This would be a real problem in the cold winter months. Also, by replacing a boiler over the summer months it will start saving you money as soon as you need to use it as the newer boiler will be much more energy efficient. This will mean that when your first energy bill of the winter months arrives, though it will be more than your summer consumption it will be less than you have experienced in the past.

If you haven’t had your boiler serviced yet this year or you know that it needs repairs or possibly replacing then it is recommended that you should look to do this as soon as possible. There is still time to book this in before the busy winter period starts and don’t forget to look out for boiler scrappage schemes to help you financially. Make sure you aren’t left in the cold this winter by getting your boiler serviced, repaired or replaced today.

Guest Article by Sarah Wain