Boiler installation cost guide. Information over how much does a boiler installation cost?

1. How much does a boiler installation cost?
The increases in energy prices mean homeowners have to pay more to heat their homes.
One way of reducing these costs is to replace the central heating boiler. If the
boiler is more than 15 years old, a new boiler installation could reduce the annual
heating cost for a semi-detached home by £300.
Old homes usually have a boiler that supplies the central heating and vented hot water
system. As the hot water is not pressurised, the flow of hot water is poor - especially on
the upper floors. This is most noticeable in showers where temperature control is
difficult.
Boiler Design Changes
As energy costs have increased, boiler design has become more efficient and newer
boilers are required to have a thermal efficiency that is greater than 88 per cent.
Many older boilers have a thermal efficiency that's below 70 per cent; this means that
more than 30 per cent of the energy is wasted.
There are three types of boilers.
1. The conventional boiler provides central heating and heats water using a
low-pressure water cylinder fitted with a cold-water header tank.
2. The system boiler is similar to a conventional boiler except that the low-
pressure water tank is replaced by a pressurised tank. The main benefits are
that domestic hot water is at the same pressure as cold water and the
pressurised tank does not require a cold water header tank.
3. The combination boiler is popular because of its simplicity. It doesn't use a
hot water tank as hot water is heated as required. It takes up less space and if
correctly sized, can supply all domestic hot water needs. It can be unobtrusively
mounted in the kitchen.
Boiler Installation Options
There are three ways to get a new boiler installed. The easiest, but generally the most
expensive method, is to arrange the installation through the gas company. However, it's
often cheaper and the homeowner has more say in the matter when an
independent contractor is used for the installation. A method of further reducing
costs is to buy the boiler from a merchant and appoint an independent contractor
to install it, but this should be discussed with the installer beforehand to ensure the
correct boiler is purchased. When using independent installers be sure to check their
references as there is less recourse for sub-standard work.
Gas Boilers
The prices and installation costs of the three types of gas boilers for a medium-sized
home that requires a 24 kW central heating boiler vary. The cost of a replacement
conventional gas boiler is between £600 and £700 (excluding VAT). When this is a

2. direct replacement in the same location as the old boiler the installation, costs are £500
to £600, but if the location of the boiler is changed, the installation costs increase to
£1,000 to £1,500.
When a gas system boiler is installed, the low-pressure water cylinder must also be
replaced. The cost of the boiler is between £500 and £600 and a pressurized
cylinder will cost £550 to £700. For installation of the boiler in the original position,
including installation of the pressurised water cylinder, expect to pay £1,000 to £1,200.
When the boiler is moved, the cost will be between £1,500 and £2,200, including the
installation of the pressurised water cylinder. Should the hot water system already have
a pressurised (unvented) cylinder the installation costs would be lower and similar to
those for a conventional boiler.
A gas combination boiler has to supply a central heating requirement of 24 kW and
instant hot water requirements of 10 litres per minute and is slightly larger than the
conventional boiler. Purchase prices vary between £650 and £800. Installation costs
for a direct replacement in same position are £500 to £600, and if the boiler is
moved to a new location, £1,000 to £1,500. These prices are based on a 24 kW boiler.
In a larger home with a 30 kW central heating demand, a bigger boiler would cost an
additional £150 to £200.
Oil Boilers
Oil boilers are not as common as gas boilers and there are fewer suppliers. Due to their
increased complexity, they are more expensive than gas boilers.
A conventional oil boiler installed inside the home will cost between £1,000 and
£1,400 (excluding VAT) and a weather-proofed external boiler between £1,100 and
£1,500. Boiler installation costs for a direct replacement in same position are £500
to £600 and in a new location are £1,000 to £1,500.
An internal oil system boiler costs between £1,300 to £1,500 and an external boiler
costs between £1,400 and £1,600. Where required, the pressurised (unvented) cylinder
will cost between £550 and £700 so the total cost will be between £1,850 and £2,300.
The installation of the boiler in the original location plus installation of a pressurised
water cylinder and including plumbing will cost £1,000 to £1,200. When the boiler is
moved, the total installation cost including the water cylinder installation will be
between £1,500 and £2,200. In all cases a fuel tank costing around £500 is required.
LPG Boilers
LPG boilers are an alternative to oil burners. Prices are slightly higher than gas
boilers, typically between £50 and £150 higher, while installation costs are
approximately the same as for gas boilers. Conventional, system, and combination
units are available.
Electrical Boilers

3. Electric boilers have advantages such as simplicity, compact size, and easy installation,
but running costs are three times higher than gas boilers due to the cost of
electricity. The cost of both conventional and system electric boilers is between
£900 and £1,000, and a combination electric boiler will cost between £1,300 and
£1,500. A compact system electric boiler package is available and supplied with a
pressurised (unvented) cylinder at a cost is of £1,500 to £1,600.
Installation of electric boilers is simpler than other types as there are no flues, gas, or oil
piping, although plumbing requirements are the same. It is estimated that installation
costs are between £500 and £600
Radiators
This is an excellent opportunity to upgrade radiators to improve home comfort as the
original ones may be too small or in poor condition. For a medium-sized home this
could add another £700 to £1,000 to the overall cost.
Boiler Installers
No matter what kind of boiler is installed, the services of a competent, registered
tradesman are required. If unsure, check with the local authority. Independent boiler
installers can be found through GetABestPrice, boiler company websites, the Heating
and Hot Water Industry Council, and the Competent Persons Register.
Article: http://boilers.getabestprice.co.uk/boiler-installation-costs/