Upgrading your boiler isn’t just about comfort. A new boiler can improve a building’s energy efficiency and reduce your home or business’s energy bills. But with so many boiler sizes, types, and features on the market, choosing the right one is not straightforward. That’s where expert guidance comes in.
Eco Happy takes the worry out of boiler installation in Brooklands. Our certified professionals will help you select the right boiler for your space and expertly install it. Proper installation avoids energy wastage, potential safety hazards, and unnecessary future repairs.
We’ve helped thousands of UK homeowners and businesses choose the optimal-sized boiler for their property that results in pleasing long-term savings!
What Type Of Boiler Do You Need?
You want a boiler that is the right fit for your property and heating needs. Firstly, it’s important to consider your fuel choices. You are probably connected to the gas grid. If not, LPG or oil are viable alternatives. You could also opt for cleaner electric heating.
Other key questions to consider include:
- The property’s size and configuration.
- How well insulated is the property? (a poorly insulated building needs a more powerful boiler).
- How many rooms need heating? What temperatures do you prefer?
- How many bathrooms and showers do you have?
- How strong is your mains water pressure (a conventional or system boiler is usually better in low-pressure areas than a combi).
- Are you looking for integration with your renewable power (like solar)?
It’s helpful to consult a heating expert who can identify the solutions that work best for your circumstances. Let’s explore the most popular options.
Combi boiler
Combi (or combination) boilers deliver heating and hot water from a single compact appliance. Unlike traditional boilers, there are no hot or cold water tanks. This is a tremendous space saver. Using gas, electricity, or oil, combis provide near-instant hot water, quiet performance, and top efficiency.
Sound too good to be true? There is one crucial downside. The standard combi struggles to supply hot water to multiple taps simultaneously. So, they don’t work well in households or properties with high hot water demand. They also aren’t as effective as traditional boilers in areas with low water pressure either.
Combi boilers are ideal for apartments, small homes, and offices with a single bathroom.
Electric boiler
Electric boilers offer a quiet, easy-to-install, and low-maintenance heating solution. They use heating elements (similar to a kettle) to heat the water distributed through the system.
Electric boilers are highly energy-efficient with the best models converting over 95% of electricity into heat. However, the running costs of electric boilers are high. Average electricity prices are 4 times higher than average gas prices in kWh (as of May 2024).
However, the running cost of an electric boiler falls significantly when electricity is generated from renewables. Connecting your boiler to solar or wind produces cheap, green, low-carbon heating. This makes electric boilers ideal for a green home or small office space.
System boiler
System boilers effectively integrate a central heating system with a hot water cylinder. These boilers draw water directly from the mains supply to provide efficient heating and hot water without needing a cold water tank.
System boilers are great for active homes where several taps or showers often run at the same time. They also perform well in medium and large commercial buildings. A range of sizes ensures that systems can meet virtually every heating need. You can even get a system-combi hybrid which combines the combis’s compactness with the system’s hot water delivery capabilities.
Gas, electric, LPG, and oil models are available.
Biomass boiler
A biomass boiler is a low-carbon heating setup that uses wood matter as its fuel source. Biomass boilers incorporate a water tank to provide central heating and hot water.
The more expensive models have an automatic fuel-feeding system while more affordable units must be manually fed. Either way, this technology isn’t cheap. Biomass boilers cost from £4,000 to over £10,000, excluding installation.
To assist property owners in installing a biomass boiler, the UK Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) provides grants of £5,000. Biomass pellets, chips, and logs are also relatively affordable, costing on average 3p-7p per kWh. Running costs could work out on par with gas.
A biomass boiler is an effective option for larger homes, farms, and many business premises. These boilers aren’t ideal for properties with space limitations because the wood fuel is quite bulky and needs proper storage to prevent deterioration.
Conventional boiler
This traditional boiler and tank system heats the vast majority of UK properties. Modern conventional boilers – called condensing boilers – are energy efficient, boasting efficiencies of over 90%. Available in gas, LPG, or oil, there is a huge range of models and sizes to choose from.
Let’s talk about the conventional boiler ‘ban’. It’s true that gas boilers don’t feature in the government’s 2050 net zero plans and may be excluded from newly built properties after 2025. However conventional boilers are not banned and remain a vital source for home heating.
Conventional boilers can deliver heating to multiple rooms and hot water to several taps simultaneously. They are effective across all types and sizes of residential and commercial properties.
How Much Does It Cost To Install A New Boiler In Brooklands?
The cost of installing a new boiler in Brooklands varies depending on the type of boiler and how difficult the installation is.
Parts, labour, and a system flush factor into the costs of installation. If pipes need to be upgraded or connections re-configured, this certainly adds to the bill.
When comparing boiler prices, you should also compare warranties. It’s probably worth paying an extra £300 if it buys you an extra 5 years of warranty coverage.
While every situation is different, here are the best cost estimates for new boilers in your area.
New boiler costs for homes
1-bedroom home
| Type of boiler | Cost excluding installation | Cost with installation | Average cost with installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | £600 – £2,500 | £1,800 – £3,500 | £2,650 |
| Combi | £600 – £2,500 | £1,600 – £3,500 | £2,550 |
| Electric | £550 – £2,500 | £1,450 – £3,500 | £2,475 |
| System | £600 – £2,500 | £1,800 – £3,400 | £2,600 |
| Biomass | £4,000 – £8,000 | £6,000 – £10,000 | £8,000 |
2-bedroom home
| Type of boiler | Cost excluding installation | Cost with installation | Average cost with installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | £600 – £2,800 | £2,000 – £4,000 | £3,000 |
| Combi | £600 – £2,500 | £1,700 – £4,000 | £2,850 |
| Electric | £600 – £2,600 | £1,600 – £3,900 | £2,750 |
| System | £600 – £3,000 | £1,800 – £4,000 | £2,900 |
| Biomass | £5,000 – £10,000 | £8,,000 – £12,000 | £10,000 |
3-4 bedroom home
| Type of boiler | Cost excluding installation | Cost with installation | Average cost with installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | £1,500 – £3,700 | £2,700 – £4,900 | £3,800 |
| Combi (not really suitable unless combined with water storage tank) | £1,400 – £3,000 | £2,600 – £4,500 | £3,550 |
| Electric | £1,400 – £3,300 | £2,500 – £4,500 | £3,500 |
| System | £1,500 – £3,700 | £2,600 – £4,700 | £3,650 |
| Biomass | £7,000 – £14,000 | £10,000 – £18,000 | £14,000 |
5+ bedrooms
| Type of boiler | Cost excluding installation | Cost with installation | Average cost with installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | £1,600 – £4,500 | £2,900 – £5,000+ | £3,950 |
| Combi (not best suited) | £1,500 – £3,500 | £2,600 – £4,500+ | £3,550 |
| Electric (not best suited) | £1,550 – £3,500 | £2,500 – £4,500+ | £3,500 |
| System | £1,600 – £4,300 | £3,000 – £5,000+ | £4,000 |
| Biomass | £8,000 – £15,000 | £10,000 – £20,000+ | £15,000 |
New boiler costs for commercial businesses
Small business
| Type of boiler | Cost excluding installation | Cost with installation | Average cost with installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | £600 – £2,700 | £1,800 – £4,000 | £2,900 |
| Combi | £600 – £2,000 | £1,700 – £3,300 | £2,500 |
| Electric | £550 – £1,750 | £1,600 – £3,200 | £2,400 |
| System | £600 – £2,900 | £600 – £3,500 | £2,050 |
| Biomass | £5,000 – £10,000 | £10,000 – £16,000 | £13,000 |
Medium-sized businesses
| Type of boiler | Cost excluding installation | Cost with installation | Average cost with installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | £1,400 – £5,000 | £3,200 – £7,000 | £5,100 |
| Combi (not best suited) | £1,200 – £4,000 | £3,000 – £6,000 | £4,500 |
| Electric (not best suited) | £1,400 – £4,000 | £3,000 – £6,500 | £4,750 |
| System | £1,300 – £5,000 | £3,300 – £7,000 | £5,150 |
| Biomass | £6,000 – £12,000 | £11,000 – £20,000 | £15,500 |
Large businesses
Complex installations in large premises can get expensive. Often, several 100+ kW boilers are required and installing the entire system takes weeks rather than days.
| Type of Boiler | Cost excluding installation | Cost with installation | Average cost with installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | £5,000 – £10,000+ | £12,500 – £20,000+ | Varies |
| Combi | Not suited for large commercial properties. | ||
| Electric | Not suited for large commercial properties. | ||
| System | £5,000 – £10,000+ | £12,500 – £20,000+ | Varies |
| Biomass | £15,000 – £30,000+ | £20,000 – £40,000+ | Varies |
What Size Boiler Do You Need?
Boilers come in different sizes, ranging in power outputs from under 7 kW to over 70 kW. The more rooms and bathrooms you have, the larger the boiler you’ll need.
A poorly insulated building similarly needs a more powerful setup because a higher percentage of heat escapes through leaky roofs, doors, walls, or windows.
Here are approximate boiler sizes for different residential and commercial property sizes.
For homes
A rough guide for homes says you need 1.5 kW- 2 kW of energy for every radiator in your home and around 3 kW for hot water. So, a house with 10 larger radiators needs a boiler with a heat output of at least 23 kW.
Note, that for combi boilers, you typically need a higher kW because its energy output is spread between providing heat and hot water simultaneously.
| Bedrooms | Bathrooms | Radiators | Boiler size | Type of boiler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1-6 | 9 kW – 18 kW (24 kW for combi) | Combi, system, conventional, electric |
| 2 | 1 | 1-10 | 18 kW – 27 kW (30 kW for combi) | Combi, conventional, electric, system |
| 3-4 | 2-3 | 10-16 | 30 kW – 35 kW | System, conventional, biomass |
| 5+ | 4+ | 15 – 20+ | 35 kW – 45 kW | System, conventional, biomass |
For commercial businesses
Commercial heating requirements vary widely from business to business. For example, the requirements of a small, boutique shop differ from a care home. Here is an idea of estimated boiler outputs for different-sized commercial properties.
| Size | Hot water points | Radiators | Boiler size | Type of boiler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 1 | 1-9 | 12 kW – 24 kW (30 kW for combi) | Combi, conventional, electric, system |
| Medium | 3 or more | 10 – 25 | 35 kW – 55 kW | Conventional, system, biomass |
| Large | Multiple | 20+ | 55 kW – 100+ kW | Conventional, system, biomass |
What Are the Best Boiler Brands?
Heating industry experts, engineers, customers, and consumer groups agree that the following boiler brands lead the way for quality and reliability:
- Worcester Bosch: Worcester Bosch has won a Which? Best Buy Award 14 times, on top of numerous other awards. The 2023 Which? report recognised the manufacturer as the most reliable brand on the market. The UK company’s after-sales service is also praised.
- Alpha: The impressive Alpha range offers a balance of quality and affordability. Part of the Italian Immergas group, Alpha has over 50 years in the industry. The Kent-based company is a great option for affordable and dependable heating systems, backed by solid warranties.
- Ideal: Ideal is a highly popular and trusted name in the UK. The company’s outstanding 4.8 Trustpilot rating speaks to its superb reputation. Ideal’s comprehensive range caters to every household, business, and budget.
- Vaillant: With over 150 years of experience, Valliant has established itself as a quality premium heating manufacturer. This German-founded company boasts one of the most cutting-edge innovation centres in the industry.
- Veissmann: Veissmann is another German brand with over 100 years of experience. German engineering and quality workmanship shine through their boiler range. The company’s extended warranties are among the best on the market.
When Should You Install A New Boiler?
When is the right time to replace an old boiler? Generally, once your boiler is in the 15-18-year range, it’s past its best. If costly boiler repairs become a trend (say every 6 months), you should invest in a new unit.
Rising heating bills without obvious explanation is another sign your boiler is underperforming. Other issues that indicate it may be time for a replacement include:
- Disturbing noises from your boiler – rumbling, knocking, whistling, grinding and hissing.
- Frequent leaks.
- Erratic functioning and reoccurring fault codes.
- Unexplained pressure fluctuations.
- Your water or radiators take too long to heat up and don’t deliver the required heat.
Some of these issues may be due to worn parts or dirt buildup. Your boiler technician should be able to detect and resolve normal wear and tear. It’s worth reminding that regular servicing and maintenance are vital to your boiler’s longevity. A boiler service may cost £75 to £100 but it’s money well spent if it gives you a few more years of dependable service.
When is the best time of year to install a new boiler?
The best time to install a new boiler is during the summer. It’s a quieter period for heating engineers so they can readily assist you. You also have more time to make this important investment decision and explore deals without feeling rushed.
Why Choose Eco Happy?
Besides providing excellent value for money, here are a few more great reasons to choose Eco Happy.
Gas Safe registered engineers
At Eco Happy, safety is always our top priority. That’s why our gas engineers are proudly Gas Safe registered. This complies with the law that gas boiler servicing and installation must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered professional. Importantly, it also ensures your new boiler doesn’t pose a safety hazard.
Fast response times
After you’ve made the big decision to invest in a new boiler, you probably don’t want to wait around to have it fitted. At Eco Happy, we prioritize swift turnarounds. That means prompt answers to your queries and quick, successful installation of your new boiler.
Professional and reliable
When you choose Eco Happy, you’re working with true professionals dedicated to providing the best solution for your needs. Every member of our team is your reliable partner. We look forward to guiding you from initial consultation to successful completion.
Great customer service
At Eco Happy, we aren’t satisfied unless our customer is completely satisfied! You can expect nothing less than great service in all our dealings. That extends to aftercare, where our commitment to quality service continues.
Installation of all boiler types
Whatever type of boiler you choose to install, Eco Happy’s heating engineers have seen and done it all. Our team’s versatility is another reason why we’re the trusted go-to boiler installer for all types of boilers in homes and businesses around Yorkshire.
Get Your Boiler Installation Quote In Brooklands Today
Are you ready to transform your space and enjoy the rewards of improved energy efficiency? Complete a short form to get a free, no-obligation quote from Eco Happy today; you could potentially save hundreds of pounds a year. The friendly, professional Eco Happy team serving Brooklands would love to take your heating and hot water experience to the next level!
FAQs
Where will my boiler be installed?
A boiler should be installed inside the property, usually close to an external wall and somewhere easy to access. Boilers are most commonly installed in the kitchen, bathroom, or utility room. A gas boiler’s flue pipe must feed out of the building, through the exterior wall or the roof without posing a safety risk. An electric boiler doesn’t have a flue system, giving you more choice about its location.
How do I choose a boiler installer?
When choosing a boiler installer, research and check the reviews of the relevant installers. Be sure to ask questions about the proposed installation to understand all it involves. You want to get the installation agreement in writing and ensure the installer provides a warranty that ideally covers parts and labour.
What is Gas Safe certification?
The Gas Safe Register is the official gas registration body in the UK. It is a legal requirement in the country for gas boilers to be installed by Gas Safe registered professionals. Gas Safe engineers are trained and qualified to work safely and legally on gas appliances. This certification ensures high standards and compliance with safety regulations.
Other Areas We Service Near Brooklands
Our boiler and heating services cover the following areas near you:
James Elston
Boiler Expert
James Elston is the top boiler replacement and heating expert at Eco Happy. He has over 20 years of experience in the industry, focusing on Gas Safe boiler installations and offering home-heating and energy-saving solutions to homeowners across the UK. From sourcing the most energy-efficient combi boiler to providing specialist heating advice, James ensures that Eco Happy maintains the highest standards and best customer service.