new boiler - cost to move it or keep it where it is

i couldn't give you any idea how much extra it might cost to move the position of the boiler but think about in a few years time, you may well be saying 'i wish we had it moved when we had the chance'. i would think it's a pain having it in a bedroom, it might be easier to extend the pipe work into the loft but then maitenance would be easier in the utility room. if it was me i would have it moved, talk to the plumber see what he thinks, don't let him talk you out of it being moved though

 

New Boiler ?, budget for 2.5 k

 

like you say without seeing it and little information we've no chance, things to consider thou'

if it goes in the attic  it might need the header tank above it, is there room for that?
if its a combi, filling and topping up will be akward,
controls too will be harder to adjust,
the boiler might need a vertical kit ( about £150) to go throu the roof?
the pipe work will have further to go
the attic will have to be boarded and lit for serviceing,
In my opinion, its never a good idea to have a boiler at the top of any system, the air gathers at the top and this will cause problems

 

£2.5K

 

Hi Leicester.

Clearly impossible to give a realistic idea of the different costs on here. It could be an easier move than you think, even to the downstairs room - good chance the gas and rising main are both there?

There are pros and cons for all. In the loft - providing there's enough safe access, and it'll need boarding out around, and on the way to, the boiler - means no space taken up in the house. However, it'll also almost certainly mean taking the flue out through the roof, and that's bound to cost more than through an easily-accessible wall. Trickier for you to check it.

Utility room - it's easier for you to check things like system pressure (if it's sealed) and to top it up when necessary. And it's likely to be cheaper than the loft location. But takes up space.

Bedroom - cost. That's about it.

I'd have thought that, in your profession, you'd know a few reliable plumbers? All you can do is ask for quotes for all possibilities. I'd be surprised if plumbers (all of them, at least) want an 'easy' life as such, as the thing that's going to make the biggest difference in the location costs is 'labour' - and that is the main thing they are after, surely; that's the 'earner'? A day's extra work will earn them a lot more than the mark-up on a few lengths of pipe, so I'd have thought that any plumber with the right attitude towards work would welcome the 'trickier' job?

 

Hi

One other point to consider is the age of the older boiler which I'm guessing is not a condensing boiler- it depends on how old it is. Since 2005 it's been compulsory to fit a condensing boiler in pretty much all situations. It means that a condensate drain will need to be fitted in any of the locations you choose. This is just a pipe that runs to the nearest drain - the utility room sounds an easier bet for that one. In some cases this requirement has meant a change in boiler position anyway - to get easy access to a drain point.

 

basing the location of a boiler on ease of access to the nearest drain really isn't necessary, if a suitable drain access is problematical fit a condensate pump - don't allow the need to have a condensate drain compromise having the boiler located where you want it 

 

You are right Sean it certainly isn't the first criteria but a condensate pump is going to add £100 which may tip the balance between locations  - sounds like the flue is going to be the bigger issue here.