Replacing a boiler is an investment any time of year but we ask the question: is the summer a good time to change your boiler?
Your boiler is on its last legs. You know it needs to be replaced but you have some time to decide when – spring, summer, autumn or winter. So the question is: is the summer a good time to change your boiler?
There are a number of advantages in having major work carried out during the warmer weather. Engineers may be quieter after the busy winter months. Therefore they are more likely to be interested in doing the work and possibly cheaper. With the weather being warmer, there is also less disruption if your home’s heating is off for a day or two.
Deciding what boiler to have fitted is the first decision
A like-for-like change is usually relatively simple. You will probably find the only changes will be to the controls to meet the latest building regulations on control efficiency something known as Boiler Plus.
If the system doesn't meet your needs or you are planning on extension/loft conversion try to plan ahead.
There is no point in changing your heating system now, only to discover it is not up to the job when the extension is built. When it comes to loft conversions it is better to have a sealed heating system as there is often no room left in the loft for storage cisterns.
How much hot water will you need?
If your home has one bathroom or shower a combination boiler will meet your needs.
If you have to run two showers or baths at the same time, consider a system with a storage cylinder either vented or unvented.
This will provide a quantity of preheated water for immediate use.
To do this a system or heat only boiler is usually used, along with a control system to increase the efficiency and satisfy the building regulations.
Generally when having a boiler changed it is a good opportunity to upgrade the system. Spending a few pounds or even a few hundred can reap real savings in the future.
Let’s face it – energy costs are unlikely to drop in the future so investing in efficient systems will reduce the impact increases have on you in the future.
Even if the one benefit is that your house is more comfortable to live in, it is worth making these changes. And again, to answer the question: ‘Is the summer a good time to change your boiler?’, the best time to upgrade your system is in the warmer months so you’re not rushing to complete the job before the cold impacts your family.
Consider fitting thermostat radiator valves in each room
Thermostat radiator valves allow you to set different temperatures in each room. There will always be rooms that you use every day and others, such as spare rooms that only need to be heated when in use. Splitting the system into zones means that you can have the living area heated in the day and sleeping area heated at night. Each will have its own programmable room thermostats.
One of the latest options would be to fit smart controls which allow you to remotely change settings from your smart phone. This is especially useful if you don't have a regular pattern of occupation of the home.
A more expensive option would be to add renewable energy systems such as solar thermal hot water but this is likely to cost several thousands of pounds. The use of air or ground source heat pumps can be a good investment especially if you do not have mains gas available. Again it is a good way to cut costs in the future, as well as being environmentally friendly.
If you can wait until summer to change your boiler, why not reap the benefits?
When asking: ‘Is the summer a good time to change your boiler?’ the answer is clear: yes. You won’t be relying on your heating by that point, and you’re likely to save money too.
We hope you found our article: ‘Is the summer a good time to change your boiler?’ of interest – please check back soon for our next blog!
