Gas Safe Contractor Glasgow

Boiler replacement Glasgow

Heating accounts for about 60 per cent of what you spend in a year on energy bills, so an efficient boiler makes a big difference.

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Modern boilers are more efficient for several reasons, but their main advantage is that they are all condensing boilers. All well-maintained boilers burn their fuel very efficiently, but they inevitably lose some heat in the hot gases that escape up the flue. A condensing boiler has a larger heat exchanger, so it recovers more heat, sends cooler gases up the flue and is more efficient.

Sometimes the flue gases get so cool that the water vapour in the gas condenses out (hence the name), and even more energy is recovered from the condensing vapour.

What should I consider when replacing my boiler?

If it is time to change your boiler, you need to decide what type of boiler is right for you. Here are some things to consider:

Fuel type

If you have mains gas, a gas boiler is likely to be the cheapest heating option. Our fuel prices as of March 2016 suggest that oil heating is currently a cheaper option, however historically oil heating has been more expensive.

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If you don’t have a gas supply to your home, it might be worth considering a form of low carbon heating such as a heat pump or biomass. With the renewable heat incentive these may be a cheaper overall.

Alternatively you may want to get a gas connection to your home. The company that owns and operates the gas network in your area may be able to help with the cost of getting a new connection, and it may even be fully funded. Contact Energy Networks Association for further information.

Boiler type

Most old gas and oil boilers are regular boilers that have a separate hot water cylinder to store hot water, rather than providing it directly from the boiler. When you replace your boiler you can buy a new regular boiler, and keep your hot water cylinder, or buy a combi boiler that doesn't need a cylinder.

A regular boiler is more efficient than a combi at producing hot water in the first place, but then some heat is lost from the hot water cylinder, so a combi may be more efficient overall.

Your hot water usage

Large families using lots of hot water are likely to be better off with a regular boiler, whereas smaller households using less may be better off with a combi boiler.

Space in your home

Combi boilers don’t need hot water cylinders, and so require less space in your home.

Compatibility with solar water heating

If you’re thinking of installing solar water heating, it’s worth noting that many combi boilers are not compatible with this heating system or cannot use it so effectively. 

Finding an installer

It’s worth getting three quotes from different installers, and you may also want to check that installers:

• have a local office
• have been in business locally for several years
• have customer references that you can review.

Your registered installer will ensure that your system complies with current building regulations, and will make sure you get all the documentation to prove this. Keep these documents safe; you will need them when you sell the property.

How much could I save each year?

This will depend on how old and inefficient your existing boiler is and the fuel your boiler uses. Below are some examples of potential savings for a home heated by gas central heating.

Upgrading an old gas boiler with a programmer and room thermostat, with a new A-rated condensing boiler with a programmer, room thermostat and thermostatic radiator controls (TRVs) could save you:

England, Scotland and Wales

Old boiler rating	Semi-detached house	Detached house	Detached bungalow	Mid terrace house	Mid floor flat
G ( < 70%)	£215	£350	£180	£175	£95
F (70–74%)	£145	£240	£125	£120	£65
E (74–78%)	£115	£190	£95	£95	£50
D (78–82%)	£85	£140	£70	£70	£35

These are estimated figures based on installing a new A-rated condensing boiler with a programmer, room thermostat and thermostatic radiator controls (TRVs) in a gas-heated home from an older boiler with a programmer and room thermostat. Savings will vary depending on the size and thermal performance of your home. Figures are based on fuel prices as of March 2016.

The costs for replacing a boiler will vary, but a straightforward gas boiler replacement plus thermostatic radiator valves will typically cost about £2,300 excluding radiators.

Northern Ireland

Old boiler rating	Semi-detached house	Detached house	Detached bungalow	Mid terrace house	Mid floor flat
G ( < 70%)	£185	£285	£160	£155	£86
F (70–74%)	£125	£200	£105	£105	£60
E (74–78%)	£100	£155	£80	£80	£45
D (78–82%)	£75	£120	£60	£60	£30

These are estimated figures based on installing a new A-rated condensing boiler and full set of heating controls in an oil-heated home. Savings will vary depending on the size and thermal performance of your home. Figures are based on fuel prices as of March 2016.

The costs for replacing a boiler will vary, but a straightforward oil boiler replacement plus thermostatic radiator values will typically cost about £3,000.

What else can I do to improve my central heating system?

Heat recovery devices and systems

Some of the heat generated by your boiler escapes through the flue. Passive flue gas heat recovery systems capture some of this lost energy and use it to heat your water, making your heating system more efficient and saving you money. gas safe glasgow

Hot water cylinders

New hot water cylinders are factory insulated to help keep your hot water at the right temperature for longer. They play an important role in supplying you with readily available hot water, so it’s important that they are fully insulated to prevent heat escaping.

If you have an old cylinder you could save £25-£35 a year by topping up the insulation. Alternatively if you are replacing your cylinder, you can save energy by making sure that the cylinder is no bigger than you need it.

Chemical inhibitors

Corrosion deposits in an older central heating system can cause a substantial reduction in the effectiveness of the radiators, and the system as a whole. The build-up of scale in heating circuits and on boiler components can cause a reduction in efficiency too.

Using an effective chemical inhibitor can decrease the corrosion rate and prevent the build-up of sludge and scale, thus preventing deterioration and helping to maintain efficiency.

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A Guide To Central Heating Systems

There are three main types of gas central heating systems used in housing:

• Combination Boiler Systems
• Gravity Fed Systems
• High Pressure Systems

All three of these systems heat central heating radiators in similar ways. The main differences are the water pressure that the boiler operates at and the way hot water is provided.

heating engineer Combination Boiler System

Often referred to as a ‘combi boiler’ this type of installation heats hot water as you need it, without the need for a hot water storage tank. So in places where space and hot water requirements are limited, such as flats, these can be very popular systems. The system uses mains water pressure, so there are no overflow tanks.

The major downside is the flow of hot water is slower than systems that provide stored hot water – most systems will struggle to cope with houses with two bathrooms. To have a reasonable level of hot water flow the boiler output has to be in a range of 25-30kW rather than 15-20kW for a system with a hot water storage tank. If you are thinking of using solar water heating in the future then another downside is that these systems are not suitable for use with a combi boiler as they need a hot water cylinder. Read more in our solar panels cost article.

See Combination Gas Boilers for a list of current popular combi boilers with typical consumer prices.

Gravity Fed Systems

Central Heating System Gravity Fed System

Historically a gravity fed central heating system was the most common system installed in UK housing. They are less common now as combi and high pressure systems are both superior when a complete new system is being installed.

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Many older homes have existing gravity fed systems, so it may be more cost effective to upgrade the existing gravity fed system with a new more efficient boiler rather than go to the expense of a complete new system. Some manufacturers call boilers for a gravity system “open vent boilers”, “heat only boilers”, “conventional boilers” or “regular boilers”. Most system boilers can also be used with a gravity system. A system boiler has additional built in components such as a pump which makes installation easier than for a heat only boiler.

The major downsides are:

• the water pressure for hot and cold taps can be quite poor, as the flow depends on gravity. In flats, where there is no opportunity to put the water tanks in a loft, shower water pressure can be poor unless a shower pump is used.
• The extra requirement for a cold water storage tank and an expansion tanks. These tanks were often installed in lofts where they become vulnerable to frost damage resulting in water leaks.

High pressure systems

High Pressure Unvented System

This type of system operates at mains water pressure and uses a stored hot water system. So if it is lashings of hot water at a forceful pressure you are looking for then this is the system for you. EICR Certificate Glasgow

The main downside is that these high performance systems tend to be more expensive than the combi systems as you have the additional expense of a hot water tank. They also tend to require a higher skill level amongst installers, although as these systems become more common this is less of an issue. Some manufacturers call boilers for a high pressure system with a tank “system boilers” although some heat only boilers can also be used if additional external components such as pumps are added. electricians

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