Upgrading your boiler or heating system can be a daunting decision, but it is often a necessary one. As boilers age they become less reliable, less efficient, and in some cases, more dangerous. If your current boiler is constantly breaking down or costing you a fortune in gas bills, it may be time to upgrade to a cleaner, more efficient model. Whether it is a straightforward boiler swap or a full heating system overhaul, ASP Plumbing & Heating Services have the expertise to design, plan and install the perfect heating system to fit your needs.
Why Upgrade My Central Heating System?
Modern boilers boast high energy efficiency ratings due to condensing and OpenTherm gas modulation technology. Replacing your old, inefficient boiler with an A-rated appliance could see a you save up to 50% on energy bills. In most cases, the boiler will pay for itself in a matter of years due to the savings made. Upgrading from electric storage heating to gas central heating can also save you hundreds of pounds a year as electric heating appliances are far more expensive and less economical than gas.
Modern boilers are so efficient because they are condensing, meaning that they recover some of the heat from waste gasses that would otherwise be lost. Condensing boilers can be up to 30% more efficient than older, conventional boilers, making them better for the environment and cheaper to run.
New boilers are also far safer as they no longer rely on an open flue design. Open flue boilers draw the air they require for combustion from room they are installed in. If the boiler can’t get the air it needs for complete combustion, fumes containing carbon monoxide will spill into the room rather than going up the chimney. This can be extremely dangerous and leave residents vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning.
The introduction of smart thermostats and heating controls to the market in 2012 now gives us even more control over our heating systems. When installed alongside a modern condensing boiler, controls such as smart thermostats and smart thermostatic radiator valves can help reduce our energy bills even more by allowing us to properly regulate the heat throughout our homes.
What Should I Consider When Upgrading?
Upgrading your central heating system doesn’t come without its risks. Converting from a gravity-fed system to a pressurised one can put old pipework under more pressure, resulting in leaks or bursts. This can be especially problematic under concrete floors where pipework isn’t accessible. Also, certain outlets such as toilets, taps, and showers can fail under higher pressures. Occurrences such as this are very rare, but it does not mean that they should not be taken into account. Always get your current heating and water system checked by a professional before rushing into any new installation work.
A system should be flushed before fitting a new boiler, with particularly dirty heating systems requiring either a powerflush or magnacleanse. Not properly flushing a heating system prior to an installation can damage new boilers and invalidate the manufacturer’s guarantee, something that we unfortunately see all too often. For more on the benefits of system flushing, please click here.
Boiler sizing is also important when it comes to a new installation. A boiler that is too big will not condense properly, making one of its main benefits redundant. Condensing boilers require a return temperature of 56 degrees Celsius or below in order condense and reclaim lost heat. If a boiler is too big then the return temperature will be too high, and it will waste energy. Similarly, if a boiler is too small it will be overworked and will not condense.
Which System is Best for Me?
There are several factors to be considered when choosing a new boiler for your home. Space, number of bathrooms and radiators, budget and mains water flow rate must all be considered. Outlined below are some of the differences between the two most popular boiler types on the market:
Combination boilers: Combi boilers are highly efficient space-saving appliances, which can provide your home with both central heating and instantaneous hot water without the need for a hot water cylinder. They are best suited for homes with limited space and a maximum of two bathrooms. The downside of combi boilers is that they heat mains water on demand. If there is more than one hot water outlet (tap or shower) in use, then the pressure is split between the two outlets, significantly reducing the output.
System boilers: System boilers provide hot water to both the radiators and a storage cylinder simultaneously. System boilers heat a large unvented cylinder of stored water, meaning you can use multiple hot water outlets at once without suffering a reduction in pressure. Unvented cylinders rely on mains pressured water and unlike vented cylinders, do not require a cold water storage tank in the loft. The downside of system boilers is that you will need room for both the boiler and the cylinder, which is why they are usually recommended for larger properties. For more on hot water cylinders, click here.
How Much Does It Cost?
Boiler installation costs can vary greatly based on the type, size, and brand of boiler. An average sized combination boiler with system filters, a thermostat, and labour costs will cost in the region of £2,000 – £2,500. A larger system with an unvented cylinder and more controls will naturally cost more. Every job is different, and we offer a free quotation service for all installations. Call us on 020 3858 0277 or get in touch via the contact form.
Boiler Brands
We can fit any make and model of boiler requested by the customer. We always fit Vaillant as standard as we are on the accredited installers list. Our boiler installations come with either a 7 or 10 year manufacturer’s warranty as standard (depending on the boiler model), with the option to upgrade the warranty length even further for a small fee.
Why Chose Us?
At ASP Plumbing and Heating Services we have over 10 years of experience of planning and carrying out boiler and heating system installations. Our work is completed to the highest standard and we have the knowledge to advise you on the system that is right for you. We take care of all aspects of the project, from the design of the heating system to the supplying of materials and installation. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any queries regarding a boiler installation or replacement.
