Boilers are an essential part of our everyday lives. They provide us with central heating to overcome chilly winters and they give us easy access to hot water to clean our dishes and wash our bodies. It’s something that we often take for granted because our boilers tend to just work without much thought, but if you’ve ever experienced a failing or malfunctioning boiler, then you’ll know how just how difficult life can be without a functioning boiler in your home.

Reasons your boiler might need a replacement

You might think that your boiler is working fine at the moment, but there are a couple of reasons why you might want to actually replace it.

• Newer boilers often have better energy savings especially if you’re upgrading from an older model that isn’t very efficient.
• A new boiler installation can offer more water pressure especially if you consider a new combi boiler than can deliver hot water at mains-level pressure without an extra accessory like a pump.
• Boilers tend to last around 10 to 15 years before their efficiency drops, so if you’ve noticed weird quirks with your boiler or if it’s breaking down more regularly, you may want to replace it to lower the risk of future malfunctions.
• Old boilers are fairly large and bulky, so replacing a boiler can offer space savings if you want to free up space in your home. For example, a new combi boiler can heat water when it’s needed while also providing water for a central heating boiler, removing the need for a separate hot water cylinder.
• In most cases, newer boilers cost less to maintain than older ones, meaning that repairs and servicing can cost a lot less in the long run especially if something serious malfunctions with your boiler.
• If you plan to sell or rent your home in the future then improving your home’s energy efficiency will make it more desirable, and this can be achieved with a new and improved boiler that offers better fuel efficiency.

What should you know before getting a new boiler?

Getting a new boiler first relies on an examination of your current boiler. This is to ensure that a boiler replacement is a smart idea and something that can offer you space and money savings in the long run. It’s vital to call out a certified engineer to examine your boiler so they can consider what boiler replacements could be a viable option for your needs.

It’s also a good idea to learn about the different types of boilers.

• Combi boilers heat water as you need them, making them great for space saving.
• Heat-only boilers or conventional boilers can store hot water for later use.
• System boilers are much like heat-only boilers but take up less space.

The type of boiler for your needs will typically be recommended by your engineer, but it’s still a good idea to understand the pros and cons of each one to help you make a more informed decision.

Why choose Bedfordshire Boilers Ltd

If you live in the Luton or Dunstable area then Bedfordshire Boilers Ltd is the perfect choice for having a new boiler installed. We are dedicated to providing our customers with the highest level of service and quality and are second to none in the Luton and Dunstable area. We offer competitive prices and a hassle-free experience to ensure that the installation is smooth, and we offer follow-up maintenance services to ensure your boiler is always operating at peak performance.

The average cost of a new boiler installation in Milton Keynes, Luton, Dunstable & St Albans depends on the type of boiler that you choose. Here’s what you might expect to pay:

• Combi: £1,600 to £3,200
• Heat-only: £1,400 and £2,400
• System boiler: £1,500 to £2,600

But what goes into these prices? 

Why does getting a boiler replacement in Milton Keynes cost this amount of money? 

Breakdown of Boiler Installation Costs

The amount that you ultimately wind up spending on your boiler depends heavily on your current circumstances. Very few people need to install a furnace from scratch. Mostly, they need to replace an existing unit. 

The price you pay, therefore, comprises two things: the cost of removing the old boiler and that of replacing it with a new one. 

Typically, a combi swap where you pull out of the oil boiler and replace it with a new one costs around £2,000. 

If you are removing a combi boiler from one location and installing it in another, then the costs can rise to £3,000. 

If you want to replace a heat-only boiler with a combi, then you’ll also spend more because of the cost of making new connections. Prices usually fall around the £3,000 mark, similar to changing the boiler location. 

Why Do Costs Vary So Much?

Boiler price costs vary considerably, which can be confusing. Part of the variation in cost depends on who provides the installation service – a sole trader, small business in the local area, a big company, or an online company with a subcontractor network. Different business setups have varying overheads, and this impacts the prices they charge. 

Sole Traders

Sole traders perform a sizable chunk of total UK boiler installations. Typically, they comprise a single operative with a specialist background in boiler and gas safety. 

Sole traders usually have much lower overheads, so their prices tend to be more affordable than other options. They also typically have lower labour costs than engineers from the big firms, again providing customers with savings. 

There are downsides to using their services though. If something goes wrong with the installation, then you may be waiting for a long time for them to come back and fix the problem. It all depends on their schedule. 

Online Companies

Online companies are a relatively new player in the boiler-fitting market. These agencies don’t hire any operatives directly. Instead, they create networks of sub-contractors to whom they farm out work. Who you ultimately get is very much a function of the area in which you live. 

The purpose of these online services is to give customers quotes without the need for a home visit. The idea is to increase the competition between suppliers and get homeowners a better deal on boiler replacement. 

Prices are lower for two reasons. Firstly they aggregate fitters into one place, making it easy to compare them. And, second, because they bulk buy boilers before installing them, they reduce costs. Customers, therefore, can sometimes bag substantial discounts. 

Small, Local Businesses In Milton Keynes, Luton, Dunstable & St Albans

The third option is to choose a small local business in Milton Keynes. These are not sole traders or handymen. Instead, they’re professional firms with multiple accredited people who specialise in boiler installations. Some have office staff, but many do not. 

The price you pay here depends considerably on whether you’re dealing with a barebones company or one looking to create a brand. Some of these outfits are just two or three people operating under a limited liability company structure. Others are growing businesses that have people both out in the field and the head office. 

These companies tend to have higher overheads than sole traders, but they also have higher volume, meaning that they can spread the costs across more customers. Prices, therefore, tend to be relatively competitive. 

What’s more, many of these firms offer additional security and guarantees versus a sole trader. So, for instance, they might provide a one-year warranty on all installations or promise to return in 48 hours if there’s a problem with the unit they install. 

Big Companies, Such As British Gas

Big companies, like British Gas, tend to charge considerably more than their smaller rivals – sometimes up to 50 per cent. 

The reasons for this come down to two things: protection for homeowners and high overheads. 

The big boiler installation firms must pay back-office staff wages, advertising costs, interest payments on loans, and full-time engineers. Customers are willing to pay more because of the sense of security that they get. But they ultimately spend more money compared to the other methods that we’ve discussed above. 

In return for paying more, customers get professional customer support. You know that if there’s a problem with your boiler, there will always be somebody you can call to come and fix the problem. 

Interestingly, you no longer need to go directly to the big companies, like British Gas, to get a quote. Many will now tell you what a boiler replacement will cost online. In general, going online will help you save money. But beware: you’ll still likely pay a lot more than if you went to a small company. Mostly, these sites compare the prices of market leaders, not those of the smaller players. 

Should You Get An Online Quote Without A Home Visit?

Bringing the pricing process for getting a new boiler seems like a good idea in principle. You go online, enter your details, and then get a quote from the provider, based on what you tell them. 

But there is a reason firms used home visits in the past and still do today: it allows them to predict the final price more accurately. 

While going online is convenient, the vast majority of people in the industry would recommend that you get a home visit. Most small companies and sole traders offer “no obligation” quotes. You can get a home visit, but you don’t have to hand over any cash. Some homeowners like to find out what they think it will cost to carry out work and compare it to what the internet says. In-person quotes can be considerably lower. 

Boiler Cost Installation Scenarios

So far, we’ve talked about the average cost of a boiler and how the price changes depending on who you hire. But, let’s face it, it is all rather abstract. 

The following examples should help you get a better sense of how much you’re likely to pay. It very much depends on your current circumstances. 

How Much Is A New Combi Boiler?

Combi boilers are those that provide heating for your central heating system and hot water tank. They are, therefore, a do-it-all product, centralising everything into a single unit. You find them in new builds most commonly. 

When it comes to replacing a combi boiler, there are two possible scenarios: 

1. Replacing an existing combi boiler with a new one
2. Replacing a regular heat-only boiler and hot water cylinder

Let’s deal with option one, first. As we discussed in the introduction, the cost of replacing an existing boiler in the same location is different from the replacement boiler going to a different site. Typically, the cost of swapping the old furnace out and replacing it with a new in the same place is around £2,000 and takes about a day. Moving it to a different location costs around £2,600 and takes a day and a half. 

Replacing a regular heat-only boiler with a combi is, typically, a far more complicated operation, often requiring extensive plumbing work. The cost usually comes in at around £3,200 and takes approximately two and a half days. Redirecting the hot water pipe to the new boiler is the most time-consuming aspect of the process. 

How Much Does A Heat-Only Boiler Cost To Install? 

Heat-only boilers only heat the central heating system. A separate cylinder heats the hot water. For this reason, these systems tend to cost a bit less money to replace. 

Here, again, two possible scenarios apply to your home: 

1. Replacing an existing heat-only boiler with another at the same location
2. Replacing a heat-only boiler and putting it in a new place. 

Replacement in the same location typically costs around £1,750 and takes about a day. Replacing it but putting the new boiler in a different place costs around £2,200 because of the additional plumbing requirement.

A significant component of the price here is the labour, not the boiler. You can usually pick up a standard heat-only for around £750. The rest of the cost is for the work and the tools. 

How Much Does A System Boiler Cost To Install?

System boilers are relatively rare in flats and regular homes. Typically they provide heating to multiple household units and work with an unvented hot water tank to provide hot water. They are much more potent than standard boilers and, therefore, more expensive to replace. 

When it comes to replacing a system boiler, therefore three possible scenarios that might apply to you: 

1. Replacing an existing system boiler with a new one
2. Replacing a combi boiler with a system boiler and unvented hot water tank
3. Replacing a heat-only boiler with a system boiler and unvented hot water tank

The differences in price and complexity are considerable here. 

If you want to replace an existing system boiler with a new one, the cost is £1,950 on average, and the work takes around a day. Replacing a combi boiler with a system boiler will set you back around £4,600 and take roughly two and a half days. The cost of replacing a heat-only boiler is slightly less at £4,200 and takes around two days. 

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Back Boiler? 

Back boilers became popular throughout Britain in the late 1960s. 

An open fire heats a boiler behind a wall. It then pumps water through the central heating system. You can no longer replace a back boiler with a similar one. Regulations state that you must either use a combi, system or heat-only. 

Here are some of the scenarios that you’re likely to encounter if you have this variety of boiler: 

1. Replacing a back boiler with a separate hot water tank with a combi boiler
2. Replacing a back boiler with a heat-only boiler and keeping the existing water tank

Replacing a back boiler with a combi boiler is the most attractive option for most homeowners. The average cost for this is around £3,200 and takes roughly two and a half days. Replacing a back boiler with a heat-only boiler costs £2,775 and takes about two days. 

Boiler Unit Costs

So far, we’ve looked at the combined cost of buying and installing a boiler. But, of course, there are two primary components of the price that you ultimately wind up paying: labour and the unit itself. 

How much you pay for a boiler depends heavily on the model you buy. In the discussion above, we calculated the estimated costs based on installing a mid-range boiler. However, you can buy both entry-level and ultra-premium units, just like in any other market. 

Boiler unit costs fundamentally depend on the quality of the internal components. The more expensive versions use premium parts that help to last longer. 

They also come with additional support. As you move up the price range, for instance, the length of the warranty increases. Entry-level boilers typically offer between two and five years of cover for manufacturing defects. Economy boilers provide five to seven years of protection, and premium units sometimes go as high as ten.

You also get better after-sales-care the more money you spend on the unit. Entry-level boilers tend to have strict manufacturer-imposed conditions for them to honour the warranty. You have to prove that whatever caused the boiler to stop working was the fault of the vendor – and that’s not always easy.

The next level up is “economy.” Here you still have to meet terms to get a replacement unit, but they’re not usually as strict as those imposed when you buy a cheap boiler. 

Mid-range and premium boilers usually have what vendors call a “no-quibble” guarantee. Here they promise to repair or replace if you have a problem, no questions asked. 

Efficiency

For those who are interested in energy efficiency, boilers differ here too. All modern boilers are surprisingly efficient, but as you increase the quality of materials, you find that the numbers creep up. 

• Entry-level boilers typically achieve 89 to 91 per cent efficiency
• Economy boilers offer 89 to 91 per cent efficiency
• Mid-range and premium both offer between 92 and 94 per cent efficiency

Price

Now for the most critical detail: the price. 

Here’s a rundown of what you can expect to pay for a combi boiler in each market segment: 

• Entry-Level – £685
• Economy – £775
• Midrange – £975
• Premium – £1150

As you can see, the cost of premium boilers comes in about double the cost of an entry-level version. With that said, you get a much better product offering higher efficiency, a more extended warranty, and no-quibble after-care. As you move up the price range, you also get things like weekend callouts and manufacturer-supplied engineers. 

Why You Shouldn’t Choose A Boiler That Is Too Large

A lot of people believe that it is a good idea to choose a boiler that is a little larger than they need. What’s the harm in having extra capacity? It seems like a sensible idea. 

Unfortunately, it can backfire. Every manufacturer creates boilers designed to perform at a specific capacity for maximum efficiency. If the owner deviates from the specification too much, energy conservation can plummet, and bills go up. 

Pairing the wrong boiler with your home can actually be a lot more damaging than you might imagine. 

Most boilers heat water to a standard 70 degrees. They then pump it around the radiator system where it loses at least 20 C to the environment, before returning to the boiler. For a condenser to work, the returning water must be 50 C or less. If it is more, then the furnace can’t work in the 90 per cent efficiency range – putting up your bills. 

If your boiler is too large, then the condensing phase will not work, and you’ll lose efficiency. 

The average UK home only needs between 6 and 8 kilowatts of heating energy. But the average output is 15 kilowatts, implying most boilers are oversized. 

Conclusion

Working out the precise cost of a boiler is a challenging process. Not only do you have to consider who you’re buying from, but also the quality of the boiler and your existing setup.

Typically, the cost of the unit runs between 28 and 60 percent of the total for the installation. The rest is the cost of labour. 

It is possible to replace your boiler for a relatively small amount of money. Still, you could end up paying higher costs over the long-run in repairs and maintenance. For most people, a mid-range combi boiler is an optimal solution, offering the best price-performance ratio. 

Your New Boiler.Com is Owned by Wayne Bettess

Choosing a new boiler for your property might not be the most exciting purchase you’ll ever make, but it is one of the most significant decisions any homeowner ever faces. 

Your family deserves instant access to hot water as well as a reliable and consistent service while you also need to keep an eye on the financial implications. While there are various brands and models to consider, the first challenge is to identify the right type of boiler. Here’s all you need to know about finding the best new boiler Luton service available.

What Are Condensing Boilers?

When looking at prospective boilers, you may encounter the term ‘condensing boiler’. This isn’t actually a type of boiler but relates to a boiler’s ability to utilise latent heat as fuel. Condensing boilers are up to 90% more efficient, reducing your carbon footprint as well as your monthly bills. 

It is now a legal requirement for all new boilers in the UK to be condensing boilers. There are three main types of condensing gas boilers. Let’s take a closer look at each of them below.

Combi Boilers

Also known as combination boilers, combi boilers take their name from the fact that it operates the central heating system as well as providing hot water. Homeowners choosing this type of new boiler can, therefore, bypass the need for a water storage tank, which is particularly useful when space is limited.

This method of supplying hot water (direct from the new boiler rather than a water tank) additionally offers users an unlimited and instant supply of hot water whenever the taps are turned on. Most newer models are A-rated for efficiency, which makes them a popular choice for eco-friendly homeowners that want to reduce their carbon footprint. For a new boiler Luton homeowners can rely on for many years, the combi boilers are an ideal solution. 

In fact, they are now the most commonly installed type of boiler in the UK as over half of all new boiler installations fall into this category. There are several popular manufacturers and models, which our Luton boiler experts can guide you through, providing great versatility and the opportunity to find a solution that’s tailored to your requirements.

Combi boilers do face some obstacles. Most notably, it’ll only be possible to run one bath or shower at a time. So, homeowners with multiple bust bathrooms may wish to consider an alternative solution. Still, as long as families avoid using too many appliances at once, the combi boiler can supply the entire home.

The Pros

• Space-saving and convenient.
• Very responsive to tap pressure.
• No need for a pump to gain good water pressure.
• Easy maintenance.
• Pipe freezing is very unlikely.

The Cons

• Limited to running one bath or shower at a time.
• Not compatible with all showers.
• Leaks will impact performance.
• Won’t suit larger homes.
• Low water pressure or mains pressure causes issues.

System Boilers

System boilers are another very popular choice thanks to their eco-friendly properties and high-efficiency performances. They can even be integrated with solar thermal systems for even lower carbon footprints. While they are found as new boiler types in homes of varying sizes, they are especially suited to larger properties.

The installation of a system boiler will require the hot water storage cylinder but can avoid the need for a water tank. As such, they will take up more room than a combi boiler. Nonetheless, they will cause less disruption than some alternative new boiler unit solutions. Crucially, the stored water can supply water to the whole property while it’s also possible to run multiple showers or baths simultaneously.

Installations with a hot water cylinder rather than a storage tank also provide quick and easy installations. System boilers are heat-only boiler units, like a regular boiler, but they do incorporate the expansion vessel and a pressure release valve. This is the main reason for avoiding the need for a tank, but also encourages easy maintenance and optimal performance.

They might not boast the popularity of system boilers, but they are still found in millions of homes across the UK. Whether you own a large property in need of boiler replacement Luton services, or you want to upgrade to a system that’s capable of running two properties at once, this is the ideal solution.

The Pros

• Suitable for larger homes and efficient.
• Supplies hot water and central heating.
• Space-saving properties through the water cylinder.
• Compatible with solar thermal systems.
• Hot water is almost instant.

The Cons

• If hot water runs out, you have to wait for reheating.
• Small storage cylinder will limit the water supply.
• Water cylinder requires insulation.
• Not as small as a combi boiler.
• Not as cheap as some alternatives.

Conventional Boilers

Also known as regular boilers, traditional, open vent, and heat only boilers, conventional boilers are a fairly common option that you will have probably encountered at some stage as they were once the most frequently seen option by far. They are no longer #1 in terms of popularity, but they are still a great option for many homes.

The main drawback of conventional boilers is that they require a water storage cylinder and a hot water storage tank. Consequently, then, the conventional boiler systems will require a lot of storage space. This is an issue for smaller properties, but might not be an issue if you already have this type of boiler system in place. Moreover, when upgrading to a condensing conventional boiler, it’s unlikely that major pipework changes will be required.

Conventional boilers can store and supply large volumes of hot water to multiple bathrooms throughout the property, which makes them ideal for the busy modern home. When used with solar tech, they become a particularly ecological solution thanks to their high efficiency. Although you will need to insulate the tank.

The conventional boiler has been adapted and improved over the years, with the latest models offering exceptional reliability and longevity. A cold water storage tank will need to be stored in the loft, though, which can cause issues when your loft has been converted. Similarly, they are rarely seen in flats and apartments. Still, in the right situation, they are among the best new boiler options on the market.

The Pros

• Efficient.
• Compatible with solar thermal.
• Includes the immersion heater backup.
• Minimal structural work needed for upgrading old systems.
• Can be used with multiple taps at once.

The Cons

• Take up a lot of space.
• Expensive installations.
• Water needs to heat up before usage.
• Water tank requires insulation
• Repairs can be expensive too.

What Other Options Are Available?

In addition to the condensing gas boilers, homeowners may also wish to consider electric boilers. They are cheaper to install, operate at 99% efficiency, and are particularly useful for small properties and homes that do not have access to a gas line. However, it should be noted that electricity is expensive.

Solid fuel and oil-fired boilers are far rarer in the modern environment but are still possible. Nevertheless, the three types of condensing gas boilers remain the most common by far.

To find out more about the different types of boiler and arrange a boiler replacement Luton, give our friendly experts a call today.