Need A New Boiler? What You Need to Know.
Earlier this year, after five years of living in my current house, my boiler gave up the ghost and, with a cough and a splutter (more like a vast rumble and groan, to be honest), literally just stopped working, just like that. It would go through the motions, but only one radiator would come on. It was time for a new boiler.
One of the things I always worry about is having enough money to replace things should they break down. With my new boiler, I didn’t have to worry. My landlord is a local housing authority, and they took care of all that for me.
They did leave me over three weeks with no heating over the coldest time of the year, though. It’s wasn’t fun. I had a gas fire and a warm radiator in my bedroom but still coming home cold and wet after a blustery winters day (in spring), and not being able to put the heating was a little luxury I was missing having gotten used to having it at my disposal whenever I needed it.
When the time came for me to get my new boiler fitted, it was a lot of hassle. I had an old system and a water tank that needed to be removed to make way for a whole new boiler system.
It was worth the wait when the engineer finally showed me how to use it, and instead of a fixed control panel on the wall in my kitchen, I had an expensive new one that I could take anywhere in the house.
Oh yes, too cold when I wake up? I only have to tap a button without leaving my bed. I was, and still am, loving the convenience of it.
But what if you don’t have someone else to do all the hard work for you like me? If that moment comes (probably at the coldest time of the year, it always is, isn’t it!) And you are the one having to do all the leg work and looking around for a new boiler and making the grown-up decision of what one to buy and what company to choose?
Because let’s face it, it’s a significant expense for anyone to have to pay out but making the right choice is a sound investment.
What to look for in a new boiler
I had a combination boiler installed. This meant getting rid of my old boiler with a water tank. However, that doesn’t mean it is the right option for you. I now have hot water on demand instead of having to wait for it to heat up.
One of the added benefits of a combination boiler is that it can save you money in the long term. This will vary from household to household but investing in this type of boiler could produce significant savings over the year on your heating bills. I already am.
For the best savings, you need to choose an A-rated boiler for efficiency. Working at 90% efficiency, an A-rated boiler will provide you with the best energy saving for the lifespan of your boiler.
There are also different sized combination boilers available to your house needs and size. And many other brands to choose from too. Like the Ideal Logic Plus range
Shop around
Look around. Do your research. Get some quotes from different people. Yes, it may take a little longer, but boilers aren’t cheap, and you want to be 100% sure you are making the right choice. Companies like Hassle Free Boilers have guides on their site to help you choose a boiler right for your needs.
Chances are, when you end up looking for a new boiler, it will be an emergency, and you are wanting to get it sorted asap. Like I was. Make sure you fully understand what it is you need before you sign on the dotted line.
And it’s also always worth checking if your boiler is entitled to support with an ECO grant; this is essentially a government subsidy to help with the costs of a new boiler.
Research.
Do your research. The Internet is a mine of information, some useful, some not. If you have no idea what you need or should be looking for, you need to arm yourself with some information before purchasing to make sure you fully understand what you need.
Chances are, when you end up looking for a new boiler, it will be an emergency, and you are wanting to get it sorted asap. Like I was. Make sure you fully understand what it is you need before you sign on the dotted line.
This also applies to the company you choose to fit it too. Check them out. Read their reviews. Ask around word of mouth is an excellent way of finding out whether a company is reliable.
Choose wisely because buying a new boiler isn’t something you want to be doing every few years. Especially with the average repair cost being over £200!
