A Homeowner's Guide to Boiler Installation

A new boiler typically costs £1,800 to £2,800 installed and takes one to two days to fit. This guide explains the main boiler types (combi, system, and regular), how to choose the right size, what happens on installation day, and the warranties to expect. All gas work must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

A new boiler is one of the biggest bits of kit you will ever buy for your home, so it pays to go into it knowing what to expect. The good news is that it does not need to be complicated. I am Anthony Bradley, a Gas Safe registered heating engineer based in Preston, and I fit new boilers across Preston, Blackburn, Chorley, Leyland, Burnley, Accrington, Garstang and Longton. This guide walks you through the choices, the process and the costs in plain English, with no jargon and no hard sell.

Types of Boilers

There are three main types of boiler. Getting the right one for your home makes all the difference to how well your heating and hot water perform, so it is worth understanding the differences before you buy.

• Combi boilers (combination): The most popular choice today. A combi heats your home and provides hot water on demand, straight from the mains, with no separate cylinder or loft tank. Ideal for smaller homes, flats and properties short on space. Less to go wrong and more cupboard room.
• System boilers: These work with a hot water cylinder that stores hot water, but do not need a tank in the loft. A good fit for larger homes and busy families where more than one tap or shower is often running at once, because they keep the flow steady.
• Regular boilers (heat only): The traditional setup, using both a hot water cylinder and a cold water tank in the loft. Usually chosen when you are keeping an older-style system that already has the tanks and pipework in place.

Most Preston homes I fit end up with a combi for the efficiency, convenience and space it saves. That said, if your home has two bathrooms and everyone showers at the same time, a system boiler is often the smarter choice. I will always talk you through what actually suits your home rather than pushing a particular type.

Choosing the Right Size

Boiler size is measured in kilowatts (kW), and bigger is not automatically better. An oversized boiler wastes fuel and money, while an undersized one leaves you short of heat or hot water. The right size comes down to your home, not guesswork.

• Number of bathrooms: One bathroom usually suits a smaller combi. Two or more, and you will want more output or a system boiler to keep the hot water going.
• Number of radiators: More radiators need more heating power to warm the whole house evenly.
• Water pressure and mains flow: A combi relies on your incoming mains. If the flow is weak, a combi may struggle to feed a decent shower, and a system boiler with a cylinder can be a better answer.
• Property size and insulation: A larger or older, draughtier home loses heat faster and may need a little more output.

I check all of this during the survey before I recommend anything, so you get a boiler matched to your home rather than an off-the-shelf guess.

What Happens on Installation Day

A boiler installation is a planned, tidy job. Most installs take one to two days from start to finish. Here is exactly what happens.

• Survey and quote first: Before anything is booked in, I visit to look at your existing system, understand your heating and hot water needs, and recommend the right boiler. You get a clear, fixed price with no surprises.
• Removing the old boiler: On the day, I safely disconnect and remove your old boiler and take it away with me.
• Fitting the new boiler: The new boiler goes in, pipework and controls are connected, and everything is set up properly.
• Free chemical flush: Every installation I do includes a free chemical flush of the system. This clears out the sludge and debris that build up over the years, which protects your new boiler and helps your radiators heat evenly.
• Commissioning and testing: The system is pressure tested, safety checked and the controls verified. I will show you how to work your new boiler and its settings before I leave.
• Warranty registration and paperwork: I register the manufacturer warranty for you and hand over your Building Regulations notification and Gas Safety records. Keep these safe.

I take care to protect your floors, clear up after myself, and leave you completely happy before I go. No mess left behind.

Cost Guide

A new boiler installation with Bradley Heating Solutions is typically between £1,800 and £2,800 supplied and fitted. Where you land in that range depends on the boiler type and brand, the complexity of your system, and whether any extra pipework or upgrades are needed.

• Combi replacements sit towards the lower end when it is a straightforward like-for-like swap.
• System boilers with a hot water cylinder sit a little higher because there is more to the install.
• Extra work such as new pipework, a relocated boiler or a system upgrade can nudge the price up, and I will always explain any of this before we start.

Every quote I give includes the boiler, the installation, commissioning, the free chemical flush and all the paperwork. No hidden extras, and the price I quote is the price you pay.

Warranties Explained

A good warranty is one of the best reasons to have your boiler fitted properly by a Gas Safe engineer. Here is what you need to know.

• Length of cover: Depending on the brand and model, new boilers come with a manufacturer warranty of anywhere from 5 to 12 years. The brands I fit, including Worcester Bosch, Baxi, Viessmann, Vaillant and Ideal, all offer strong warranty cover.
• Registration matters: A warranty only counts once it is registered, which I do for you as part of the install.
• Correct installation is a condition: Manufacturer warranties require the boiler to be fitted by a Gas Safe registered engineer. DIY or unqualified work voids the warranty completely.
• What it covers: Warranties cover manufacturing faults, not wear and tear or accidental damage. Keeping the boiler looked after each year usually keeps the warranty valid too.

Gas work is a legal matter, not just a quality one. Every install I carry out is done to standard, notified under Building Regulations, and registered so your warranty and cover are protected. You can check any engineer at gassaferegister.co.uk.

Frequently Asked Questions