Boilers unfortunately, have a lifespan and at some point, you will find your hot water and heating starting to fail and you will find yourself looking for boiler replacements. The average boiler has a lifespan of around 15 years so at some point you will need to look at replacing yours!
This is why our team at ProTecBoilers have put together this helpful guide on boiler replacements.
What Is Your Old Boiler?
If you have a look at your current boiler and heating system it is likely to be one of the 3 following types:
- Combination boiler
- High-pressure system, with a separate hot water cylinder (unvented)
- Gravity-fed system with a separate hot water cylinder
It is completely normal if you are still unsure what type of boiler you have as it can be quite complicated.
If your boiler heats hot water for immediate use and you don’t have a hot water cylinder, then your boiler is likely a combination boiler. If you have a cylinder and a separate tank for overflow, usually found in the loft then you are likely using a gravity-fed system. A high-pressure system is the least common of the three and produces water at mains pressure.
Choosing A Replacement Boiler
Once you know what your current system is you then need to think about your boiler replacement. The first thing you need to think about is whether you are happy with your current hot water system or you would like to upgrade to a condensing boiler or even solar heating and consider how difficult this may be. How many parts of your domestic central heating need replacing may also influence your decision.
If you already have a combi boiler in place then you new replacement boiler may be one similar to the one you currently have, if you wish to have greater hot water output then it is possible to choose a more powerful boiler.
Gravity-fed systems are much more complex and aren’t often recommended for new installations. However, if this is your preferred choice then you will need either a heat only boiler or a system boiler. Heat only boilers can cost more as they require an external pump.
Condensing Boilers or Non-Condensing Boilers?
In this day and age most new boiler installations tend to be condensing as they are more energy efficient and save money on fuel costs, however they do require an external drain. This could be a good option, but it may need repositioning, along with a condensate pump and drainage pipe which cannot freeze, so insulation may be necessary.
Solar Power Heating
This is often a good choice if you are replacing a hot water cylinder. A twin coil cylinder will be connected to a solar panel that will generate electricity. In summer, hot water will most likely be free but may need topping up during the winter months.
Boiler Installation
Once you have made a decision on the type of boiler you want installing then you need to choose a reliable Gas Safe Registered Engineer to come and install it for you. Our team here at ProTecBoilers are Gas Safe Registered and specialise in new boiler installation and boiler replacements.
If you need help choosing the correct boiler for your property and needs or have already chosen a new boiler and need a reliable Gas Safe Registered engineer to come and install it then contact ProTecBoilers today – 01924 731 838
