When is the best time to get a new boiler

jcrpage

Hi all,

I have read through (a lot of) the many forum posts on what type of boiler might be best for my house. I'm now wondering whether there is a right time to get the boiler replaced? Intuitively I suspect it is more expensive to get it replaced during the winter and that I should wait for spring/summer? Is this true? Is there anything to back this up?

In answer to why I want to replace my boiler, it has had faults for the past three years every winter. I have a Baxi powered flue solo that is 18 years old. Whilst that probably doesn't sound old I value reliability and do not like the thought of wondering exactly when each winter it is going to get another fault. I am also about to let the house out to tenants as well - a family with three young boys - so I would rather everything is in order.

Thanks all, hopefully I haven't repeated a question that has already been answered. I spent most of this morning reading through posts in an attempt to avoid it.

Jen

lstar337

The main reason to get it done in summer is because you aren't using heating. If something goes wrong with the install and it takes longer than expected, then you are stuck without heating when you may need it most.

A mild winter is great (from a heating point of view), but you cant assume it'll be mild.

JJ_Egan

Simple answer is before the cold weather as you really don't want no heat when the snow is on the ground ,

alleycat`

Congrats on getting it to 18 years.

Mine lasted 10 and it was a miserable piece of junk for the last 3 years of life before i finally chucked it out.

I know about 90% of our street had this type of boiler and i think only 2 now still exist and one of those is paying "homeserve" a fortune to keep it running every year.

I assume they fell off a truck and got kicked around before installation as i've never known anything so chronic in my entire life.

As to your question.

I'd suggest sometime when you aren't going to need the heating is the best time of year to get it done but it really would depend on how busy the local recommended trades person is as to how good a "deal" you'll be getting.

teddysmum

Our old Potterton was 33 years old. We had it replaced in February, which meant that the new one could be tested with full central heating working (not really possible during warmer weather).


We had radiators and new plumbing, too, so the job took just over two days, but the men worked so that we could use the gas fire overnight and , during the day, I was only without gas heating for a few hours ( used an oil filled radiator).

JJ_Egan

Our old Potterton was 33 years old.

Mine lasted 30 + years as well .

littlemoney

They don't make boilers like they use to. My Potterton is still in use and it is 31 years old.

I assume when I replace it the next one will not last as long. What is the expected life of a new boiler today?

wildcardsa

This is hugely encouraging. I Have a Potterton Kingfisher Mfl boiler which is I suspect 9 years old and was in the house when I bought it. Every year the boiler is serviced and every year they suggest a new boiler. I'm looking to rent my house and was wondering about a landlord Homecare package and how they probably wouldn't cover my boiler. Was worried I'd need a new boiler.

Is it worth getting a Homecare package then as the central heating was only revamped 4 years ago, or just get a really good plumber who can and is willing to fix pottertons?
How easy is it to still get parts as this is something they always say year in, year out?

jcrpage

Thanks all, I will see how the current repairs go and if so wait for a slightly warmer patch. If it lasts til Spring so be it, if not it will have to be replaced before then anyway!

Pincher

Why not Winter? The cement doesn't set properly.

My builder and plumber disconnected the boiler (Potterton KingFisher II, about 30 years old) in January 2010, very cold winter, and it started snowing. They wanted to redo the hole by filling in the old one and drill the flue hole for the new boiler. Guess what, the builder said they can't do it because the cement won't set properly: too cold.

I survived by using a Calorgas heater, which was running out in three days, and all the depots nearby were sold out, so I had to fall back on the electric heaters. Loads of Calorgas as soon it thawed, of course.

Still want to change your boiler in winter?

jcrpage

The boiler has been repaired for now. Plan is to replace it in the spring time when it is not too hot, not too cold. That way if there are any complications it will not be too cold and I should have saved some cash for it by then as well. Thanks again for all replies.