Advice · Burnley & Lancashire
Most people start looking at new boilers when the old one breaks down in January. If you have a bit of time before that happens, you can make a much better decision. This guide covers what a replacement involves in Great Harwood's typical homes, what it tends to cost and what to check before you sign anything.
A boiler over 12 to 15 years old that keeps needing parts is usually worth replacing. Older non-condensing models can be 70% efficient or less, while a modern condensing boiler runs at around 90% or more, so the gas savings can be noticeable in a draughty stone terrace.
A single repair on a boiler that's only 8 years old is often the better value, though. A good engineer should tell you honestly which way the numbers point, not push a new boiler by default.
A lot of the housing around Great Harwood is Victorian and Edwardian stone terraces with one bathroom, so a combi boiler is usually the best fit. It heats water on demand, frees up the airing cupboard and gets rid of the cold water tank in the loft. For a two or three bedroom terrace, a combi of around 24 to 30kW is typically plenty. A bigger one just costs more and cycles on and off.
Combis do depend on your mains water supply. If you get less than about 10 litres a minute at the kitchen tap, or you have two bathrooms that could be used at once, a system boiler with an unvented cylinder may suit you better. Larger semis and detached houses on the edges of town often fall into this group.
Some older homes still have a back boiler behind a gas fire. Removing one is a routine job, but you'll need a new position for the boiler, a new flue and some pipework changes, and that affects the price.
Prices vary with the brand, the model and how much work the job involves, so treat these as rough guides rather than quotes. A like-for-like combi swap in the same place usually comes in at around £2,000 to £3,200 fitted. Converting from a back boiler or a system with tanks to a combi is more often £3,000 to £4,500, because of the extra pipework, flue changes and taking out tanks.
Always ask what's included. A fair quote should list the boiler, flue, magnetic filter, controls, cleaning the system, removing the old boiler and registering it with Building Control. Grants for boilers are limited, but some households on certain benefits may qualify under the ECO scheme, so it's worth checking with Hyndburn Council or your energy supplier.
In England, a new gas boiler has to be fitted by a Gas Safe registered engineer and notified to Building Control, normally within 30 days. You should then get a Building Regulations compliance certificate in the post. The Boiler Plus rules also say a new combi needs time and temperature controls and at least one extra energy-saving measure, such as a smart thermostat with optimisation or weather compensation.
Condensate pipes deserve some attention in a town where hilltop streets get proper frosts. Where the pipe runs outside, it should be at least 32mm in diameter and insulated, or routed inside if possible. Frozen condensate pipes are one of the most common winter callouts across East Lancashire.
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