For many, a boiler is essential to the day-to-day running of a household. From heating up our homes in the depths of winter to providing us with a steaming hot bath after a long day, a boiler is what makes our properties comfortable, welcoming and homely.

Whether your boiler is showing signs of deterioration or it has given up the ghost completely, replacement is likely to be on the cards, however, this is never going to be a straightforward decision. After all, having your boiler replaced is bound to leave you without heat or hot water during the installation process and has the potential to disrupt your daily routine. That being said, if your boiler is operating inefficiently, it’s better to get this sorted sooner rather than later and for those without a working boiler, this can be replaced promptly by an experienced heating engineer, allowing you to resume relaxing in a warm and toasty home.

If you’re in the market for a new boiler, one of the first things you’ll likely be questioning is how long the installation will take. Whilst the length of time may vary depending on the circumstances of the replacement, more often than not, a straightforward boiler installation will take no longer than a day. However, there’s a lot more to this process than simply knowing how long it takes.

To ensure you’re prepared for your upcoming boiler replacement, we’ve made a list of just a few things you may want to consider prior to installation to ensure you get the best system possible.

 

Boiler replacement options

First things first, before you book in a boiler replacement with an engineer, it’s important to consider what kind of boiler you’d like. The three basic types are:

● Combination boiler: also known as a ‘combi’ boiler, these are usually the most straightforward to install and are more compact as they don’t require hot water cylinders to function.

● Conventional boiler: conventional boilers have a hot water tank in which hot water is stored, ensuring it’s readily available whenever needed.

● System boiler: these are similar to conventional boilers but they require more components to function, however, they take water directly from the mains, negating the need for a hot water tank. With this in mind, system boilers often take up less space than their conventional counterparts.

 

When it comes to installation time, it’s important to note that, if your replacement is a ‘like for like’ switch, it’s likely to be a relatively straightforward process. However, if you’re interested in changing to a different type of boiler, the switch is bound to be a bit more complicated and may take more time.

In addition to boiler types, it’s also essential to consider fuels. Although many homes are suited to having a gas heating system, it is estimated that around 4.3 million households aren’t connected to the gas network, in which case an electricity or oil-powered boiler is a suitable alternative.

Gas, electric and oil-fuelled boilers all come with various pros and cons, so it’s important to consider your circumstances carefully to ascertain which makes the most sense for you.

 

Choosing a plumber

Now that you’ve got a rough idea of what boiler you’d like, it’s essential to find a trusted central heating engineer to fit it for you. In addition to finding someone who is capable, you’ll also likely want to find the best possible deal price wise, and the best way to do this is to shop around and collect a few quotes before making your decision. Speak to at least three different companies to ensure you find the best service as well as the best price and if you’ve got time to collect a few more quotes, the more the merrier.

There’s also the concern of safety; in addition to being experienced, you’ll also want peace of mind that your chosen engineer is carrying out the installation according to health and safety regulations and the best way to do this is to check that they’re certified by the correct organisation. For example, if you’re having a gas boiler fitted, this will need to be carried out by a Gas Safe engineer. Find out which body your plumber needs to be approved by and request to see proof of their accreditation to ensure your boiler is being fitted by a professional.

 

Preparation, installation and final checks

So you’ve chosen a suitable plumber to install your new central heating system, what’s next on the agenda? Before any work begins, your engineer will likely want to come to your property to assess a few things, such as the number of radiators and bathrooms in your home and the location of your current boiler. Some of these things may have a direct effect on what type of boiler is suited to you and what size it should be, however, a reputable engineer will be able to advise you accordingly.

Once the appropriate checks have been carried out, your boiler will be ready to be installed. As previously mentioned, this should take no longer than a day, however, this will all depend on what type of boiler is being installed as well as if any complications crop up along the way. Chances are though that, with an experienced engineer on the case, your boiler will be fitted quickly and with the utmost efficiency.

After a day of your heating engineer being hard at work, your brand new boiler is finally up and running- so what’s next? Far from simply leaving you to it, a reputable plumber will ensure your new system is in full working order by conducting a few safety and performance checks. In addition to certifying that your boiler is operating at peak efficiency, this will guarantee that it’s 100% safe to use and, if any issues are identified, these can be effectively dealt with immediately.

 

Source reliable plumbing services

When it comes to central heating, it’s essential for installation and repairs to be carried out by an experienced and reputable professional. After all, these are complex systems that can potentially be dangerous if handled improperly and with this in mind, there’s no substitute for hiring a trained plumber.

In addition to finding a plumber with the appropriate experience and qualifications, it’s important to find somebody that you feel comfortable with to ensure the entire process is smooth and stress-free. So, be sure to do your research and take time making your decision in order to find the best plumbing services around.

 

Whether you require an emergency plumber or reliable boiler installation, work with the experts at Prestige Plumbers

At Prestige Plumbers, we offer a comprehensive service to both domestic and commercial customers. From leaky taps to burst pipes, we can handle any and every task that’s thrown our way and we always strive to arrive promptly to ensure minimum disruption to your day.

As well as routine appointments, we also offer an out of hours service in the event of a plumbing emergency. We’re available 24/7 so that, if your issue is urgent, we’re there to assist in your time of need.

When it comes to central heating, we supply and install top-quality boilers and we always work quickly and efficiently to get the job done fast. In addition to installing your brand new boiler, we can offer expert advice on which model to go for and once fitted, we will be on hand to maintain or repair your system if needs be.

To discuss your requirements with a member of our team, contact us today and get the best boiler service in Southampton with Prestige Plumbers.