Are you thinking about fitting a new boiler in your holiday home?
Perhaps your holiday home is out in the country, and you’re worried about whether it’d be possible to install the type of boiler you’d ideally like.
Wherever your holiday home is based, it’s important to be able to have central heating and hot water whenever you want it, with energy efficient controls.
Having fitted many boilers in holiday homes over the years, I’ve put together this blog to help you decide what type of boiler your holiday home needs, and advice on your next steps.
Can a gas engineer fit a boiler anywhere?
If you have a holiday home and are in need of a new boiler, the chances are that a gas engineer should be able to help you.
However, so many holiday homes are based out in the country or up in the hills and may not have mains gas connected. Instead, they may be using LPG gas (liquid gas). The same is also true for mobile homes.
TIP: When considering a gas engineer for the job, always check that they have a special qualification to work on LPG gas. The Gas Safe Register will be able to tell you if an engineer is qualified for the job.
What might stop a gas engineer from fitting your boiler?
A gas engineer may not be able to fit a new boiler in your holiday home if:
- They do not have the correct qualifications for the job (if LPG, check their Gas Safe card)
- They are not Oftec registered (if your holiday home or cottage has oil heating)
- Your holiday homes is connected to solar panels and the engineer in question is not familiar or competent enough for the job.
Always check your fuel supply
Holidays homes range from city centres to cliff-top retreats, to mobile homes and caravans.
So, you always have to check what fuel you have, mains gas, LPG gas, oil, or solar before contacting a local, competent engineer.
They may want to know the type of fuel your boiler runs on before agreeing to a home visit, to ensure they don’t have a wasted trip once they get there.
(Checking this first may sound obvious, but two of my past customers were not even aware that LPG was any different from mains gas in the city!)
Do your research online and find a local engineer by logging onto the Gas Safe Register website, or try a manufacturer website such as Worcester Bosch or Vaillant.
They will ask you to type in your postcode and search for a local installed based on the type of fuel you have (LPG, mains gas or oil).
Don’t forget your CP12 certificate
Once you’ve found the perfect gas engineer to install your new boiler, don’t forget to ask them about your Landlord’s CP12 certificate. (Landlords Safety Certificate).
I remember one of my customers let out their holiday home every month, but was not aware they even needed one! Gas Safe regulations state you must arrange for a new CP12 certificate every year. (Landlords Safety Certificate).
Conclusion
If you’re wondering about fitting a new boiler in your holiday home, a gas engineer should be able to take care of it for you. However, you should always check what type of fuel your boiler needs (mains gas, LPG or oil) before contacting a qualified engineer.
To check a gas engineer is qualified, simply visit the Gas Safe Register. It provides you with a great resource to help you find qualified local engineers that are perfect for the job.
Finally, if you’re planning to let you your home, don’t forget to ask about your CP12 certificate (Landlords Safety Certificate) – you’ll need one every year!
