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

Replacing your old boiler will be one of the most expensive appliance purchases you will make for your property.

It is therefore little wonder that you want to ensure you make the correct purchase decision as well as ensuring you are getting value for money.

Currently it is law that when households replace their old boiler they must replace it with a high-efficiency condensing boiler (unless it is too difficult or expensive to do so). This law has been put into place to ensure that boilers are much more energy efficient and help the environment.

But, how do you go about ensuring that you choose the best boiler for your home? To help you in this question, I have put together a checklist that you should follow to ensure that you consider all the factors for your replacement boiler.

Boiler Replacement Checklist

Consideration 1 – Fuel and Boiler Type Including Boiler Efficiency

Firstly, you need to know what type of fuel you want to use such as gas, oil, wood etc. In most cases a gas boiler will be the most appropriate choice as the majority of homes in the UK are connected to a mains gas supply.

Once you know the fuel supply you will be using you need to decide on the boiler type required. There are many types of boilers on the market and a summary of the main types is as follows –

• Traditional or system boilers
  • This type of boiler will be the traditional old style boiler which is cast iron and heats up water using the same principle as how we heat a kettle. These boilers although reliable need a separate storage tank in the loft in which to retain the water and are expensive to run making the fuel consumption costs high.
• Combination or combi boilers
  • This is the most common type of home boiler used today. This boiler heats your home as well as heating hot water instantaneously when a hot tap is turned on. These are ideal boilers as the instantaneous of hot water saves time and energy.
• Condensing boilers
  • These boilers are considered more environmentally friendly as they make use of the heat that they produce. When using a boiler heat is lost in the form of hot gases but a condensing boiler uses this to heat water in the system making it more efficient.
• Oil boilers
  • Oil boilers work on the same principle as gas boilers but instead of using gas to heat central heating and water it uses oil. To use an oil boiler a home will need an oil storage tank installed and a regular delivery of oil to ensure the system can work.

Consideration 2 – Property Needs

Secondly, you will need to assess your home and how the replacement boiler will fit into the existing infrastructure of your property. For example, do you want the boiler to be hung on a wall or do you want to consider floor-standing boilers. You will also need to consider the boilers distance from the outside wall as this will affect the type of flue that can be used.

Consideration 3 – Household Needs

Thirdly, look at your household’s needs and how this will change in the future. By this I mean looking at the number of rooms that you need to heat, the number of bathrooms that you have and whether the number of people relying on the boiler is likely to change either adding more or less pressure to the boilers usage requirements. This type of assessment will mean you can look more closely at a boilers energy rating and running costs to ensure you get the right one for you.

Consideration 4 – Boiler Manufacturer

Finally, it will be important to choose the right boiler manufacturer as there are so many to choose from. It is recommended that you use comparison type websites, our own boiler reviews, or look at Which? to see impartial advice and independent reviews on boilers.

Also, don’t forget when you have made up your mind to ensure you get a qualified professional to install the boiler to ensure it meets all the health and safety requirements and get it regularly serviced once a year.

Guest Article by Sarah Wain

If you’re already asking yourself the question, do I need a new boiler?, then it’s clearly time to take a long serious look at your current heating device.

You might also discover that it’s time to renew, or upgrade, your whole heating system. Boilers are usually the source of the problem if you discover that your house is not being heated efficiently. Many of the older boiler models suffer from low efficiency levels which can be as low as 50%, but more usually around 70%.

If you consider that a modern, high efficiency condensing boiler operates at around 96%, you will appreciate the difference in energy cost that comes every month out of your wallet. When you compare older 70% efficient boilers to modern condensing boilers operating at 96%, you could be wasting 25p in every pound you spend on your energy.

And not only that, an older boiler sends more waste gases up the flue than a modern boiler which means you are contributing more carbon emissions to the environment.

But don’t lay the blame entirely at the feet of your boiler. It may mean that your whole central heating system is in need of an upgrade, refit, or clean. The boiler might be the heart of the system, but the network of radiators, pipes and controls are vital for the most efficient operating levels.

You need therefore to take a close look at your heating system, including the:

• radiators;
• water tanks;
• piping;
• controls.

And by close look, always err on the side of caution and get an expert to run their eye over your kit. Remember that your boiler can never be examined, serviced, moved, or repaired, by anyone other than an engineer on the Gas Safe Register. This is a legal requirement, not just good advice.

But the boiler aside, have a think about how your central heating system is functioning. Are the radiators working properly? Do they need bleeding (removing air which creates cold spots)? Flushing out (getting rid of sediment which also creates cold spots)? Or, checking for corrosion (which can lead quickly to dramatic leaks)? Water tanks – whether they be hot water tanks, or header tanks – need regularly checking for efficiency and possible corrosion. Piping does not last forever and, like radiators, the miles of pipework in your home can suffer from blockages, sludge build up and corrosion.

Controls (such as individual room thermostats) should be the most modern type you can afford, as the latest models allow the user to spread heat more efficiently throughout the house. And the latest boilers usually have built-in controls which allow the user a large degree of control over their heating system’s work rate, which will allow you in turn to control your consumption and therefore cost.

So when you consider boiler replacement, remember to take stock of your whole system as efficient central heating will mean lower energy bills.

Call British Gas on 0800 327 7832 to ask about arranging a FREE heating system survey!

Article by Alan Potts 

When you start to wonder whether it’s time to consider replacing your old heating system, it really comes down to whether your current system is as efficient as it could be.

If you don’t think your current heating system is operating at maximum efficiency – which basically means heating your house without stressing your household expenditure – then it’s time to think seriously about upgrading your heating system.

And there are a number of key reasons for taking such a step, the most important being efficiency. And some of the main indicators of an inefficient heating system include:

• noisy boiler;
• cold spots around the house;
• half-warm radiators;
• break-downs;
• high energy bills.

Let’s take a look at the boiler. It’s a well known fact that older boilers tend to be only around 70% efficient. Now a modern condensing boiler can return an efficiency rating of over 95%, so what that means is with older boilers, some 25% of the energy you are paying for is literally going up the flue. And that translates to about 25p in the pound being wasted.

Modern boilers are highly efficient and safe. They will maximise your household spend and get the most out of your central heating system. If your current boiler is starting to make noises, or appears to be labouring under the task required of it, then not only should you have it checked out for safety reasons, but you should also consider upgrading it.

High efficiency boilers are also better for the environment, as they also emit far fewer carbon emissions and will help the Government reach their demanding environmental targets.

Cold spots around the house are not just a sign that the boiler is getting to its ‘sell-by’ date. Cold areas might not only suggest that the system is becoming inefficient (blockages caused by sludge can be removed, but blockages caused by pipes corroding, or joints corroding will need greater attention), but also that the heat distribution controls are not adequate enough. Modern thermostat controls are very good at distributing the available heat around a property at a given time. Poor heat control cost the user money.

Half-warm radiators are again a sign that the heating system is not working properly. It might be a simple case of the radiator needing bleeding but it might also mean that a ‘sludge’ build-up throughout the system will necessitate a major flush out of the dirt and debris common in all systems. Or it might mean that the system’s network of pipes, valves and controls is becoming obsolete and will need replacing.

Break-downs are a major sign that all is not right and one of the biggest problems here is that older boilers are sometimes unrepairable as parts are commonly not available for the older models.

Finally, keep an eye on your energy bills. Talk to your energy provider, maybe politely ask your neighbours what they pay, or do some internet research and find out what typically your property should cost to keep warm.

If you discover you’re paying too much, then it may well be time to invest in a new heating system.

Call British Gas on 0800 327 7832 to ask further questions about arranging a heating system survey!

Article by Alan Potts 

Questions About Boiler Installation Surveys:

What Do You Mean By a Survey?
Installing a new boiler, or central heating system, is not always as straightforward as it sounds. Often properties have ‘features’ that require special attention, or it might mean that a boiler, or pipe network, needs some special attention from the installation engineers before they can be placed in-situ. And that might lead to special materials having to be ordered, or a change in system specification. It is far better to be prepared, than try and install a new system only to find that last-minute changes have to be made causing delay and maybe additional cost.

Is A Survey Always Needed?
No. A survey will only be conducted if the person providing the original quotes thinks that there might be an ‘issue’ (such as allowing for a feature inside the property) which will become relevant during the work. Most of the information needed is taken at the quotation stage and this usually is enough with which to get the project completed on time. But don’t worry, as the supplier will take the utmost care and attention in making sure the job is handled quickly and efficiently.

How Do I Prepare for a Survey?
Don’t worry. A survey does not involve disruption to you, or your home. A person will just need to take certain measurements and ensure that the installation team know where, for example, the new boiler will be fitted, or where the pipes will run. They will consider the siting of any controls and if certain radiators have to be relocated. Bear in mind that the person doing the survey does this all the time and they are very experienced in making sure that all goes smoothly in preparation for good installation.

Will the Survey Involve My Neighbours?
Only occasionally will a survey impact upon your neighbours. Say with a shared wall (to which the team might need access to install a flue), or with a shared drive, to which the installation team will need access to park their van. If you think that this might be the case – and the person providing the quotation will provide some guidance on this – then it’s always best to let your neighbours know. It’s courtesy to let them know that there will be a installation taking place and that they might be asked to provide access.

Call British Gas on 0800 327 7832 to ask further questions about arranging a survey!

Questions About The Boiler Installation:

How Do I Prepare for the Installation?
Every installation is made as painless as possible for you, the householder. And this is why the details taken at the quotation stage, or during the survey, are very important for ensuring the minimal amount of hassle for everyone concerned. If you have to go out during the installation process, please allow an hour of your time to coincide with the arrival and departure of the installation team. This will mean that any questions from the team can be answered and acted upon before you leave.

How Long Will Installation Take?
As every job is different, this is hard to answer. But suffice to say that an estimate will be provided at the quotation, or survey stage. This will give you an accurate guide as to how long the job will take.  And you can also do your bit to speed up the installation time, if you take a little time to think about how you can help with say access for the installation team and making sure that your property is ready for their arrival.

Will I Lose Power and Water?
Mostly, no, as the installation team can isolate where they are working and maintain power to the property, as well as water supply. In some circumstances of course, an interruption cannot be avoided, but such occasions should be short and you will be notified in advance of it happening. It’s best to anticipate some disruption and making a few contingencies can work wonders for everyone involved.

Will I Lose My Heat and Hot Water?
On most occasions – especially if the job takes more than one day – then yes, you will most likely go without your heat and hot water for a period of time. The installation team will ensure that the length of any such disruption will be kept as short as possible.

What Access Will the Installation Team Need?
It helps a great deal if some basic preparations can be made in advance of the installation team arriving and starting work. The more that can be done in this area of the job, the quicker the work can be completed. It’s always best to remove fragile items from where the team will be working; remove clothes say from the airing cupboards; lay down carpet coverings; furniture moved; pets safely housed out of the way; and, get the kettle on!

The installation team will be very experienced in such work and they will also bring their own coverings and dust sheets. But any help in this area from you, would be greatly appreciated by the team.

Also, have a quick think about where the installation team can park their vehicle. Would it be possible, for example, for you to move you car off your drive onto the road; or, arrange parking in say the car park of a block of flats for the team, so they can get easy access.

Will I Have a Say About Location of Boiler, Pipes, and Radiators?
Many of these questions and issues will have been answered at the quotation stage, or when a survey has been completed. But it is possible that a few last minute issues might crop up and then its best to have a chat with the installation team. Always bear in mind that certain things happen for a good reason. For example, it is sometimes not possible to conceal all the pipework; vents are often visible; drains cannot be removed; and, a property’s design will often dictate a particular type of installation. If you have any doubts, you would do well to ask your installer, who should be able to advise on most points.

Call British Gas on 0800 327 7832 to arrange a visit from a heating advisor to give you a quote on a new boiler!

Article by Alan Potts