Core Checks to Consider with a New Gas Boiler
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- Core Checks to Consider with a New Gas Boiler
Whether your old one has had its day, or you’d rather upgrade to a newer and more efficient model, if you’re considering a new gas boiler there’s an important checklist to run through before the installation takes place.
Each year, hundreds of boiler installations are carried out by illegal fitters who aren’t properly qualified to complete the work.
A good boiler installer is Gas Safe Certified, just like our Metro Plumb engineers. The Gas Safe Register has a ‘Find an Engineer’ service where you can find a local, registered engineer simply by inputting your postcode. Alternatively, a helpline is available to call on 0800 408 5500.
Before you book in the installation, ask for your engineer’s unique 7-digit licence number which is on their ID card. Engineers are issued with a new ID card annually, and each card will have a different licence number. All Gas Safe engineers – including Metro Plumb engineers – should carry their Gas Safe ID card with them, so don’t be afraid to ask to see it when they arrive to carry out the job.
Additionally, always make sure your installer has public liability insurance because if they don’t and they cause damage to your property, you’ll have to pay for the repairs.
When you’re booking an appointment with a Gas Safe engineer, they should have a few upfront questions.
Usually, they will enquire as to how many radiators you have, your water pressure, the number of bathrooms in your home and where your current boiler and flue are positioned. Then, there are a few things for you to think about.
Think about where you want your new boiler to be placed. They can be located in most rooms of the home as long as they have relevant water and electricity supply, and if the position is deemed safe by the boiler manufacturer and your installer.
If you’re adding a brand new boiler to an old central heating system that will likely have gathered sludge inside it over the years, it’s an ideal time to get your Gas Safe engineer to thoroughly flush the entire system.
Manufacturers will not replace sludge damaged parts under warranty so at Metro Plumb, we consider it standard practice to thoroughly flush your central heating system with the appropriate chemicals during every new boiler installation.
Moreover, ensure a good quality filter is installed on your return pipe to prevent any future sludge from entering your system.
Boiler installation can be up there with the costliest items for your home, so it’s vital that you shop around and get different quotes, all the while ensuring what you’re being quoted for is a high quality product and service.
Consider whether your new boiler is a like-for-like change, or you want a complete system change, which may require a system flush or additional pipework for example.
To avoid any nasty surprises, make sure you get a fixed price quote upfront before the installation takes place.
A boiler thermostat is essentially a switch that turns your heating on and off, but rather than someone having to do this manually, it’s managed automatically by changes in temperature within a room. And with energy prices rising, it’s never been more important to have an efficient heating system that you can control easily via a thermostat and relevant control system.
Click here to understand more about your central heating system and thermostats, and get your Gas Safe installer to run through options with you during the installation of your new boiler.
Prepare for any installation complications
Your engineer should be able to install your boiler within a day if it’s a like-for-like job – for example if it’s combi for combi, or it’s to be installed in the same place as before. If this isn’t the case, it could take a bit longer – between two and three days.
Regardless though, even the best laid plans can sometime not come to fruition and any complications that arise may extend installation time.
If you have family or friends nearby, it’s worth having an agreement in place to use their shower or hot water just in case installation takes longer than predicted.
You’ll need to be around when the installation is finished to have a run-through of the new boiler controls and to check the boiler works in harmony with your thermostats.
Understanding these controls can help you minimise energy consumption – and your utility bills – by ensuring each room is at the right temperature for comfort. Your installer will be able to show you how to manage the controls effectively.
Once your boiler is installed, make sure you or your engineer register the boiler’s warranty straight away because there are only 30 days available to do this.
Ask your Gas Safe engineer any final questions, then store all your boiler documents in a safe place in case you need them in the future.
Our team of expert plumbers at Metro Plumb are on hand to support you 24/7/365 and are able to support you with a new boiler installation. Click here to find your local plumber who will be happy to help.