From having to invest in a new car, to finding the money for the kids’ new shoes and gym kit, sometimes necessary expenses can be stressful.
A new boiler is no different, and can sometimes be an unwelcome, unexpected cost to add to your family living expenses – despite being perhaps the single-most important item in your home.
Unfortunately, the exact cost of a new boiler isn’t always so cut-and-dry, and can differ depending on a few factors, including your type of home and heating set-up – not to mention which brand you opt for.
Typically, a new boiler can cost anywhere from £1600.00 – £3500.00 including sundry parts, pipe, labour & Vat.
If you’re worried about how much you might have to pay for your boiler replacement, fear not. I’m going to try and address some of your concerns below.
What can affect the cost of a new boiler?
There are a few different scenarios which can affect the cost of a new boiler, no matter which brand you decide to go for.
1. Boiler/pipe relocation
For instance, if for some reason it is necessary to relocate your boiler to another area of the house (say, the kitchen to an adjoining garage), the pipes will have to be rerouted to the new location.
2. Age of your boiler
Another big factor is how old your current boiler is. Even if you already have an older combi boiler, the chances are you may need a gas pipe with a wider diameter.
This is because most older boilers will have a 15mm gas supply pipe, whereas modern combi boilers require a 22mm pipe in order to get a good supply of water.
3. Condensate pipe
If your current boiler is over eight years old, it will not be classed as a condensing boiler, which is now the required standard for your home.
Because a condensing boiler requires a condensate pipe to run the water away, it has to be run to a drain, which could require either rerouting or in some cases, a pump to be fitted.
Depending on your boiler’s location, your kitchen floor may need to be ripped up in order to fit a condensate pipe and pump going from one side to the other.
However, if your drain is within two metres of your boiler, there should be no extra cost.
4. Add-ons
When you invest in a new boiler, I highly recommend that you opt for a magnetic central heating filter, which protects your system against any nasty sludge build-up. This is an added extra, which can add to the cost of your boiler installation.
Other add-ons such as programmable room thermostats or weather compensating controls may also seem like an added expense, but could in fact save you money off your heating bill in the long-run.
5. Guarantee
The very basic level of guarantee you can expect for your boiler is two years, although most reputable companies should offer a guarantee of around five to eight years.
A service plan that can also cover radiators and pipework is usually offered, and paying a little extra now could have you covered for any eventuality.
6. Unexpected costs
Always shop around for quotes. When determining the cost of your new boiler, never accept quotations over the phone, as the engineer will not have had a chance to look at your specific circumstances.
Only accept a quote after a home visit from a gas safe registered engineer, and ensure it is a fixed price quote which will not change later down the line.
TIP: Remember, you should get £400 cashback on your old boiler, so don’t forget to check this with your chosen engineer when working out the overall cost of your boiler replacement.
Conclusion
Paying for a new combi boiler isn’t always the most convenient, especially if your boiler set-up is old and outdated. Getting a new boiler fitted could be expensive, but look at it as an investment – essentially, you get what you pay for.
For example, spending a little extra on a magnetic central heating filter, or service plan could mean your new boiler will last you for years to come.
