Moving a boiler is a very common task that we carry out as plumbers across Cardiff and it’s required for several reasons. The most common reason is that it may be taking up too much space in its current location but other reasons may include that it makes too much noise at night or that you want to replace your conventional system and install a new combi boiler.
If you are considering moving your boiler to a new location in your home, we’ve created the below guide that walks you through all your options.
Factors To Consider Before Moving A Boiler
As you can probably imagine, you can’t simply move your boiler anywhere you wish and there are several factors that you need to consider such as:
- Accessibility: A combi boiler needs regular maintenance and servicing, so it’s important to install it somewhere that is easily accessible. You’ll want to avoid putting the boiler in a cramped or hard-to-reach space such as under the stairs or in a small cupboard.
- Ventilation: A combi boiler needs plenty of fresh air to operate safely and efficiently. Therefore it’s important to install it somewhere that provides adequate ventilation, which can be achieved through the use of air vents or by installing the boiler in a room with an openable window.
- Water supply: A combi boiler heats water on demand, so it’s important to install it somewhere that’s close to the main water supply.
- Gas supply: A combi boiler also needs a gas supply to operate, so it’s important to install it somewhere that’s close to the gas meter to ensure that the gas supply is strong enough to power the boiler.
- Noise: Finally, it’s important to consider the noise level of the boiler. Ideally, you’ll want to avoid installing the boiler in a room that’s used for sleeping or relaxation such as a bedroom or living room because the noise from the boiler may be disruptive.
Where To Move Your Boiler To?
Taking into account the factors above, we would recommend moving your boiler to the following locations:
- Bathroom
- Kitchen
- Utility room
- Loft (as discussed below)
- Garage
- Airing cupboard
If you aren’t sure where to move your boiler, get in touch today to discuss your options.
What’s Involved To Move A Boiler?
- Assessing the current setup: The first step is to assess the current location of the boiler and the location it needs to be moved to. This’ll help determine what needs to be done in terms of pipework, flue installation and any other necessary changes.
- Shutting off the system: Before any work can begin, the heating system will need to be shut off and drained to prevent any leaks or damage.
- Disconnecting the boiler: The next step is to disconnect the boiler from the gas and water supply as well as any electrical connections.
- Moving the boiler: Once the boiler is disconnected, it can be moved to its new location.
- Installing the new pipework and flue: The pipework and flue will need to be installed in the new location to ensure the boiler is connected properly.
- Reconnecting the boiler: Once the new pipework and flue are installed, the boiler can be reconnected to the gas and water supply and any electrical connections.
- Testing and commissioning: After the boiler is reconnected, the system will need to be tested and commissioned to ensure it’s working properly and is safe to use.
How Long Does It Take?
From our experience, we can usually move a boiler in one day but it depends on how difficult the relocation is. For example, if the boiler is being moved a substantial distance, it’ll require additional pipework, which can push the time it takes to move a boiler to two days.
Does Moving It Cost Much?
As mentioned above, depending on the amount of work required, it can take a skilled plumber approximately 1 to 2 days to move a boiler. Therefore, moving a boiler does come at a cost and you may want to consider if it’s worthwhile installing a new boiler at the same time.
We state this because you are technically paying for all of the work to install a new boiler by moving it. Therefore, if your boiler is relatively old, we would recommend upgrading it to a newer and more efficient system at the same time.
Although this comes at a greater upfront cost, in the long run, it’ll be more cost-effective.
Can You Put The Boiler In The Loft?
The short answer is yes, you can move your boiler into the loft but there are many factors that you’ll need to consider beforehand.
Firstly, you’ll need to make sure that there’s enough space in your loft to accommodate the boiler and any necessary pipework. The boiler will also need to be properly supported and secured in the loft, which can be a bit tricky if the loft isn’t already boarded out.
Another thing to consider is that it can take longer for hot water to reach downstairs if your boiler is located in the loft. Therefore, this can result in wasted energy as well as additional frustration.
Conclusion
Hopefully our guide to moving a boiler has answered all your questions that you may have. However, if you require further information, we have plenty of experience moving boilers and we will be happy to answer any questions.
