Steps to your new boiler…
If you’ve read our blog: Does my boiler need replacing? And you’ve decided that now is the time for an efficient new boiler – you might be wondering what’s involved.
With boilers lasting between 10-15 years, it may have been a very long time since you last went through a boiler installation process – if ever!
But don’t worry, The Heating People are here to help!
We’ve put together this handy guide to explain everything you need to know about getting a new boiler, from your first contact with us, to each of the tasks involved. This will help you to know what to expect, and what you’re actually paying for.
And if you’ve heard that gas boilers are being ‘banned’ and are wondering whether you can still have one installed, you should read our informative guide on this here.
But in short, yes you can still have a gas boiler installed! The government’s ambition is to phase out the installation of new gas boilers (for hydrogen ones or heat-pumps) in 2035.
Steps to your new boiler: Finding the right installer
The first and most important step in getting a boiler replacement is to find an expert engineer that you can trust. This task is crucial for two main reasons.
Firstly, you need to make sure that your new installation is safe.
We all know that gas can be dangerous, and so it’s vital that any gas work carried out in your home is done so legally and safely.
The Heating People are Gas Safe registered and carry out all work to the highest industry standards.
Secondly, the installer you choose is vital because they are the number one contributor to heating system efficiency, far more than the products selected.
Your boiler is only going to be as good as the engineer who installs it.
Unfortunately, there are lots of ‘engineers’ out there who will guess what size boiler you need by counting radiators, and then will commission it in such a way that it will never meet the efficiency potential promised on its box.
The Heating People install boilers the right way, following the industry standard under Part L of the Energy Efficiency Regulations. These regulations provide guidance on the conservation of fuel and power under The Building Regulations Act 2010.
As well as following energy efficiency best practice, we are proud to be certified Heat Geeks. This means that whatever system you have, we understand emitter sizing, pipe sizing, hydraulic layout and principles to obtain the highest efficiencies from your heating system.
If you choose to get a boiler replacement with us, this is the process that you can expect…
Steps to your new boiler with The Heating People
A new boiler installation involves many tasks. These cover the lead up to the installation and the installation itself.
Although all homes and heating systems are different, this is a rough guide to all of the tasks and work included in the cost of a boiler installation with The Heating People:
1. Steps to your new boiler: First contact
Once you’ve decided that The Heating People are the right installers for you, you’ll need to contact one of our friendly team to get started. You can choose to contact us through our website; social media; telephone; or by email.
We’ll ask you some simple questions about your current system and what you’re hoping to achieve with your new one. We’ll then get you booked in for your free survey at a time and date that suits you.
We’ll send you out booking reminders by email and by text, because we know how busy you are!
2. Steps to your new boiler: Survey
Your expert engineer will attend at the time and date agreed, to carry out a survey of your home.
During this visit your engineer will ask you some simple questions about your wants and needs; will review your existing system with you; and discuss the options available to you.
Your engineer will also take some technical measurements such as water flow rate, and will measure your home for an estimated heat loss calculation. This will help us to determine the correct boiler for your home.
Many boiler installation companies throw boilers on the wall after using crude online ‘calculators’ or simply counting radiators. But this is inaccurate and will result in an oversized and inefficient system.
The Heating People take the guesswork out of boiler installation, and install boilers the right way, using heat loss calculations.
This allows us to recommend the most energy efficient options for you. This will help to save you money, whilst helping you to reduce your carbon footprint.
3. Steps to your new boiler: Quotation
Following the free survey of your home, The Heating People will send you a fixed price quotation, with options to allow you to choose a boiler that’s right for you.
We believe in transparency and will never charge you more than we quote.
Once you’re happy, you can confirm acceptance of your quotation either by clicking the acceptance button on your quotation or by contacting us by email or by phone.
4. Steps to your new boiler: Booking
Once you’ve decided you want to go ahead with the works in your quotation, we’ll arrange a convenient date to complete the work.
The Heating People require a fixed price deposit of £200 upon acceptance of your quotation in order to secure your installation date, this will be deducted from your final invoice.
We’ll send you an email confirmation of your booking and an SMS reminder of your booking the day before your installation.
5. Steps to your new boiler: Arrival of the engineer at your home
Once your heating engineer arrives to install your new boiler, they will discuss the planned work, to ensure that everyone is happy with the plans. They will explain where they will need access to, and for how long, so that you can plan your day.
6. Steps to your new boiler: Protecting your home
Your engineer will put down floor coverings in all work areas and transit routes, so that you can rest assured that your carpets will be protected from any debris.
7. Steps to your new boiler: Draining your old system
Your engineer may need to switch off your water for a short period while they drain down your old system, but they’ll explain this when they arrive.
8. Steps to your new boiler: Test the gas for leaks
Your engineer will complete a let by and gas tightness test to ensure that your gas emergency control valve is working correctly, and that there are no leaks on your gas pipework.
9. Steps to your new boiler: Removal of the old boiler
Your engineer will remove your old boiler and any old redundant equipment, so you don’t need to worry about disposing of this.
10. Steps to your new boiler: Flush and clean
Depending on what was discussed during the quotation stage, your engineer will use the flushing method agreed upon, to ensure that your heating system is clean for your new boiler.
This will help to preserve the guarantee on your new boiler; extend the life of your boiler; help to prevent future breakdowns; and improve the efficiency of your heating system.
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11. Steps to your new boiler: Upgrade and change pipework if required
In order to fit your new boiler properly, your engineer may need to alter or upgrade pipework. The Heating People only use quality products. We’ll only use copper or professional press fit systems, we don’t use DIY style push-fit systems.
12. Steps to your new boiler: Making good
When your new boiler’s flue is in a new position, your engineer will make good the existing flue hole, with bricks that are a close match to your home.
13. Steps to your new boiler: Fitting the boiler
Your engineer will then install your new boiler, the boiler flue, and make all the pipework connections.
14. Steps to your new boiler: Controls
Your engineer will then fit controls and accessories as agreed, such as: temperature sensors; thermostats; timers; system filters; and filling loops.
15. Steps to your new boiler: Commissioning of the system
Your engineer will then fill; test; set to work; and commission your system; filling out all commissioning test results in your benchmark log book. This will document all safety test results and confirm that the installation complies with safety regulations.
16. Steps to your new boiler: Handover
Your engineer will then complete a handover with you when all the work is complete. This ensures that you are as informed as possible on how to operate the boiler, how to use all the controls, and how to get the best efficiency from your system.
17. Steps to your new boiler: Register the boiler
Once The Heating People have installed your new boiler, we will register it with the manufacturers to activate its guarantee and we will notify your local building control via the Gas Safe Register.
We can offer guarantees of up to 14 years on our boilers.
This means that should anything go wrong with your boiler within that time period, the cost of repairs is covered.
You’ll need to get your boiler serviced annually to maintain this guarantee.
How long does it take to install a new boiler?
How long your boiler replacement will take, will vary depending on what work is needed, if your boiler is moving location or if you have a like-for-like boiler. It usually takes between 1-3 days.
Final thoughts…
Getting a new boiler is a big investment, so you’ll want to get it right. We hope that you’ve found this article useful in understanding what to expect during a boiler replacement.
For tailored advice on replacing or upgrading your heating system, please contact one of our team at The Heating People, who will be happy to help you.
