Are you thinking about relocating your combi boiler, but want to know what’s involved first?
Especially if you’re not too keen on upheaval, you may be wondering if relocating your boiler is the best idea. However, there will be a lot of gain in terms of convenience, space and perhaps even faster hot water to your taps! So, it’s worth finding out if it’s a viable option for you.
As an experienced engineer, I often get asked about what’s involved when relocating your combi boiler. That’s why I thought it was important to put together this blog post, to give you a better idea of what to expect.
After all, a little knowledge never hurt anybody!
1. Considering the best location
The first thing to do is to be absolutely sure you’ve chosen the best location for your new boiler. For instance, if you were to fit it quite a distance from your taps, it means the hot water will take longer to reach them. This can be a bit of an annoyance if you’re waiting for your bath to run, or need hot water to do the dishes!
As a rule of them, the further away your boiler is, the longer it’ll take to heat your water.
2. Relocating your pipework
If your combi boiler is taking up space in a bedroom cupboard, or currently dwelling in your kitchen, you can probably see the appeal of more space. Imagine having a whole extra cupboard to use for more practical stuff!
However, relocating your boiler also means relocating your pipework. And the location you choose could mean that’s more difficult than you first imagine.
3. Lifting your floorboards
Depending on the location of your new boiler, it could require having to life carpets and floorboards in order to redirect your pipework. Which is just grand as long as you don’t have sealed flooring.
If you do have stone or tile flooring, you could opt for surface pipework – or you could hire a specialist to take up some of your flooring. Unfortunately, it never usually goes back down the same once it’s been lifted.
A new gas pipe will have to be run to your combi boiler’s new location, and you may even have to run a pipe on the outside.
4. Coring a hole for your flue
New boiler location? New flue. Your chosen engineer will need to drill a 5-inch hole to an outside wall, which can lead to a lot of dust in the air. It could take a few days for it to settle down again.
Alternatively, if you wanted to save a little time and money, you have the option of coring the hole yourself. Just as long as you have the right equipment and know how!
5. Fitting a new condensate pipe
Another thing you’ll have to think about is how far your new combi boiler will be from a drain. You must consider drainage when picking your boiler’s new location, as a condensate pipe must be fitted. This is so any excess water can be drained away quickly and easily.
6. Organising roof access
This won’t apply to everyone, but say you were relocating your combi boiler to your attic. If you were doing so, it’s possible the flue would need to go through your roof.
Because of this, roof access would be required. In fact, you may even need scaffolding, which can add significant extra costs you may not have figured in.
7. Installing a frost thermostat
If your new combi boiler is located in your garage or an outhouse, for instance, you’d also need a frost thermostat.
This is because garages typically aren’t heated, and your pipes can freeze. A frost thermostat will regulate the heat of the pipes to stop them from freezing up.
8. Running a power supply
Finally, you may be fitting your boiler somewhere that doesn’t currently have a power supply. Again, somewhere like an attic or outhouse.
If there’s no power, then a supply will have to be run to your boiler and a socket installed in the attic in order for it to work. It might also be wise to get an electrician to fit a light at the same time, so you’ll be able to see what’s happening with your boiler when it’s dark!
9. Access to your attic
In the past, we’ve had a few customers who we’ve told need to have a ramsay ladder and flooring before we can install their boiler. However, when we get there, this hasn’t been done. This is a health and safety nightmare, as you must have a walkway and pull-down ladder.
You can’t simply balance on a chair – it’s for your safety as well as ours!
Conclusion
I hope this blog has helped to give you a better idea of what’s involved when relocating your combi boiler. Not all of the above will necessarily apply to you, but it should get you thinking about all the practicalities and logistics involved. And if you’re at all unsure of anything, your chosen engineer should be able to help advise you further.
Do you have any more specific questions about relocating your combi boiler? Let me know in the comments. I’d be happy to help!
