At Hunsbury Heating, we hear plenty of reasons why our customers may want to move their boiler. From the noise, safety concerns or even aesthetics, all are valid. Perhaps your boiler is getting in the way of your normal daily activities or doesn’t look right where it is? If you’re redecorating, renovating or need a new boiler, now is the time to be thinking “is there a better place to put it”. However, since moving a boiler isn’t quite as simple as moving say, a chest of draws, make sure to discuss your ideas with your engineer well in advance!
What Are the Most Common Boiler Locations?
Whilst there’s no right or wrong location, the majority of the boilers we see are in the kitchen, utility room, bathroom, bedroom, airing cupboard or loft. In our opinion the utility room is the best location. This is because it gives easy access for us to work on, whilst also being out of the way and not interfering with day to day living. Whilst boilers are far better looking than they have been in the past, they’re still rarely fashion pieces, so you could consider putting it in a cupboard if you wanted it out the way completely.
How Much Space Does a Boiler Need?
There’s no hard and fast rule for boiler sizes, since they vary slightly depending on boiler make and model. When deciding on location, it’s worth doing some research into your boiler’s dimensions to best see where it will fit. You’ll also need to find out on how much space it needs around it to function at its best. To make sure your installation goes as smoothly as possible, we recommend having all the information you need on hand before purchasing.
Could I Install My Boiler in the Garage?
Whilst on the surface the garage may seem like the perfect location for your boiler, with it being enclosed and out the way, there are a few practicalities you’ll want to consider. Firstly, how well insulated is your garage – you don’t want your boiler to freeze! Additionally, depending on how far your garage is from your appliances, you may be waiting a while for hot water to reach your taps which could lead to wasted energy.
Can I Put My Boiler in the Loft?
Strictly speaking, yes you can. However, before moving your boiler into the loft there’s a few things you’ll want to check first – namely how easy is your loft to access and do you have suitable lighting? Are your loft walls strong enough to support the weight of a boiler? What about frost protection on your boiler (it can get surprisingly cold up there!). Is there enough room for your gas engineer to operate in your loft. At Hunsbury Heating, we understand loft boilers can often present an extra layer of challenge due to tight working conditions. Also you’ll want to consider that the further away your boiler is from appliances, the longer it will take for hot water to reach the tap and the more energy could be wasted.
Top Considerations for a New Boiler
The main concerns for most customers for a new boiler is space, noise and decor. Although modern boilers are far quieter than older models, all boilers are going to make some noise, so you may want to consider how much of a problem that is for your new boiler installation. That’s why we often recommend the utility room where the noise will be masked by other noisy appliances such as the washing machine. The noise is one of the reasons we’d recommend against the bedroom, where the majority of older boilers are installed.
If something goes wrong, you’ll also want to consider accessibility. An easily accessible boiler is something we’re always grateful for, particularly when conducting your annual boiler service. Although you probably won’t need access very often yourself due to remote controls and thermostats, you may need occasional access. You’ll want to make sure your boiler is easy to get to, as in the worst case scenario, your engineer may not be able to get to your boiler to fix it.
What Boiler Installation Safety Regulations Do I Need to Consider?
Whilst probably not the first thing you think about, legal boiler regulations state that all new boilers must be condensing – meaning they need a discharge pipe and should be positioned on or next to an external wall. Your boiler will also need to be far enough away from doors and windows. Your minimum flue clearance distance depends on your boiler make and model so take advice from your engineer and the manufacturer when making this decision. Also, you’ll want to consider you’ll need access to a waste pipe. To reuse the chest of draws example, moving a boiler isn’t straightforward and there may be additional costs to cover all the additional pipework etc.
Should I Consider Pipework?
Speaking of pipework, you will want to consider the pipework. Your engineer may need to take up flooring to access and reinstall pipework which adds an additional layer of complexity. Don’t worry, all our engineers are fully trained to do so and we’ll do our best to minimise disruption, but it is something to consider.
Is It Safe to Move My Boiler?
When all the considerations are made by a trained gas safe registered engineer, such as those at Hunsbury Heating, moving your boiler is completely safe. Lastly though, don’t forget to move your carbon monoxide alarm along with the boiler!
If you need a new boiler or are considering moving your existing boiler, Hunsbury Heating can help. Call or text us now on 07919 008441
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