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New Replacement Boiler
If your boiler is more than 10 years old, has become inefficient, or just feels like it’s on its last legs, then you should start shopping around for a new one straight away. Don’t wait until your boiler breaks down to start looking for a replacement as finding the right one can take weeks, and you don’t want to be shivering in cold showers in the meantime. In order to make the process of replacing a boiler easier, we’ve put together a few top tips to help you along the way, and hopefully, to point you in the right decision.
1. Consider yourself
When looking for a new boiler, don’t just go for the same make and model as your existing boiler. While you might love your current boiler to pieces, chances are that there have been some serious changes in your house since you bought it. If your circumstances have changed, even a little, then you should start from scratch and analyse your lifestyle in order to determine whether or not you need a change. In addition, factors such as solar panels are thrown into the mix when looking for a new boiler today, so make sure you really do your homework.
2. Buy the best
Always buy the most efficient boiler you can afford. A-grade boilers are the most efficient, as they turn at least 90 per cent of their fuel into valuable (and expensive!) heat. Unfortunately, they’re also the costliest grade of boiler, and forking out a huge lump sum for one can be very daunting. In the long term, however, you’ll save money by choosing the most efficient boiler, so if you need to, sit down and do the sums in order to determine how much you’re willing to spend on a boiler.
3. Shop around
While it might be easier to buy a replacement boiler from your energy supplier, you might end up paying extra for this ease and convenience. Remember that your energy supplier is not your only option. You could buy from local, independent boiler suppliers, or even directly from the manufacturers – they’ll usually fit your boiler at no extra charge.
4. Check out deals
The UK government offers all sorts of different schemes and grants to help with central heating updates and everything associated with them. An example would be the Warm Front scheme available in England. So before you fork out a fortune for your new boiler, make sure you check whether or not you’re eligible for a grant. You might be surprised! Some energy suppliers, such as British Gas, offer periodical boiler scrappage schemes to their new and existing customers, so be sure to check those out too.
Article by Connor Sephton, 23rd November 2011. Content correct at the date of publication.
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