People move a house, possessions, and a boiler for a myriad of reasons. Maybe you are renovating your kitchen, and it no longer fits into your plans. Or the boiler makes too much noise at night, and you want to move it further away from your bedroom. Maybe you’re moving to another city, or you want to switch locations.
Whatever your reason may be, the good news is that it is possible to relocate your boiler. In this post, we will answer some of the most common questions.
Where is the Best Place to Move Your Boiler to?
As professional movers with years of experience, the team at Strong Move knows that you can move your boiler anywhere, you want to, but it is critical to think through all the practicalities.
For instance, you may want it to be completely out of sight, but if it is in a hard-to-reach location, will this be ideal if something goes wrong?
Your boiler will need servicing and maintenance, and if you need to check it, change settings or alter the pressure, you will need to gain access. If your boiler needs repair, it will also make an engineer’s job much easier if they can access it quickly and efficiently.
Another important consideration is the relocation process itself. The location you can choose can greatly impact the labour and overall costs. For instance, if you want to move it a few feet away, it will cost a lot less than moving it from downstairs to the loft.
Why? Copper pipework and technicalities over valves are not cheap, and navigating it through your house can be a labour-intensive process, requiring floors to be lifted and holes drilled through walls.
However, the building regulations dictate certain requirements that you need to meet, which can restrict where you can or can not install your boiler.
For instance, there are certain clearance limits on gas condensing boilers. This means you must install the boiler at a certain distance away from windows and doors.
More specifically, the minimum flue clearance regulations say that the flue must be at least 1,200 mm away from an opening window or door.
A boiler also requires an exterior pipe to remove waste. Therefore, installing the boiler in a utility room often makes sense. This is not a requirement, but it is worth remembering that the further away from your home the waste pipe goes, the more pipe you need to e install to connect, driving up labour and material costs up the roof.
How Much Does it Cost?
The costs associated with moving a boiler depend on various factors, including those we have discussed.
It is impossible to provide a figure that is 100% accurate as no home is the same. With that said, here are some of the major factors that impact the cost of a boiler installation:
- The price of boiler you choose – typically costs between £1,500 and £2,500.
- Copper pipework
- New flue
- Thermostat
As well as the above materials, you will need to consider labour costs, which vary depending on the amount of work required.
For instance, a straightforward job will cost less than a job that requires substantial pipework installation. This may take a substantial amount of time to feed through your home. Thankfully, boilers are now available with financing, a perfect solution for those who can’t afford to pay for their new boiler upfront.
How Long Does a Boiler Take to Move?
The time required to move your boiler ultimately all depends on how much pipework needs to be moved. The further away from the original location, the more pipework you will need to lay down, driving up material costs and labour costs.
For comparison, a regular like-for-like boiler upgrade in the same place will usually take a day to complete. On the other hand, installing a new boiler in a brand-new location will typically take around 2 days, but it may take longer if you have a complicated job situation.
Can You Move a Boiler to the Loft?
Many people like the idea of having their boiler installed in the loft, but this is not always the best location to house a boiler.
For example, if your loft has not been modified, it may need to be, e.g. floorboards laid and access ladder.
It is also worth mentioning that from a technical standpoint, a loft can get cold, especially in winter. You will need to ensure you install a boiler with built-in frost protection.
Since it is likely quite a distance from your downstairs taps, you may also experience a lag, as it will take some time for the hot water to reach them.
Moving Boilers - Conclusion
As you can appreciate, there are quite a few different factors to consider. That includes the location, the amount of pipework required, and the labour it may involve. According to experts at EasyBoilerCompany.com, doing proper research on layout specifications and hindering moving your unit should hold a key spot on your budget and checklist.
No two properties are the same, and therefore no two jobs are the same.
Remember that once the boiler is installed, you will need to monitor the pressure. It will probably need continual adjustments until it settles in the new location.
Finally, a carbon monoxide detector is essential in any home using a combustible appliance such as a gas boiler. Therefore, ensure you secure yourself with one and place it near your boiler. This way, you'll detect any future leaks as soon as they occur, keeping you and your family safe.
