How Long Does it Take to Fit a New Boiler

Like for Like Boiler Upgrade

The first, and most common boiler installation, is a straight swap or upgrade. For example, you have a broken combi boiler, and you want a similar combination boiler fitted in the same location.

Our Gas Safe engineer will be able to use existing pipework to the boiler, and therefore, it’s a simple replacement.

Time Taken For Installation

Expect a like-for-like boiler swap to take 1 day.

This could take up to 1.5 days if the pipework from the old boiler doesn’t match directly with the new boiler.

New Boiler in a New Location

If you want a similar boiler fitted, but in a new location, this is going to add on some time.

The engineer will need to run additional pipework, and cap off existing gas pipework.

Also, they may need to adjust sections of your existing heating pipework, in order for all the radiators to get hot.

Time Taken For Installation

Expect a new boiler fitted in a new location to take 1.5-2 days.

The further away from the original location you want the boiler moved, the more time it will take, and the more it will cost.

System Upgrade or Conversion

System upgrades are more complex than a simple installation. So, the time taken is always going to be more than a like-for-like swap.

If you want to change one type of boiler for another, this is going to be classed as a system upgrade.

This could be swapping a combi for a system boiler, a back boiler for a combi, and so on.

But, why does it take longer?

Let’s say you want to switch from a system boiler or heat only, regular boiler (that has a cylinder) to a combi (that doesn’t require a cylinder).

In this case, the engineer will need to remove the cylinder and re-pipe the central heating system.

If you’re going the other way (combi to a system), then the extra time will be due to the cylinder and additional pipework needing to be installed.

Time Taken For Installation

Expect a system upgrade (i.e. switching from one type of boiler to another), to take 2.5 to 3.5 days depending on the complexity (and access) of the installation.

Considerations When Determining Time Taken For A Boiler Replacement

System Cleaning

When you fit a new boiler, you’ll want the system to be flushed out.

A chemical flush will get rid of the most damaging of debris in your heating system and is a minimum requirement by all boiler manufacturers.

A powerflush will get rid of slightly more. The downside to a powerflush is it not suitable for all heating systems.

Our trained heating advisors can advise you of suitability during a free survey. Arrange a visit from an Aqua Shield heating expert: Arrange a free home survey

Time Taken For Works

Included within the timescale of a normal installation.

Gas Mains Upgrade

Some older boilers only need 15mm pipe to supply enough gas to allow them to operate.

Newer boilers and updated Gas Safe regulations means pipework needs to be 22mm, as a minimum.

Let’s skip the complexity, but this can sometimes need to be 22mm or 28mm, and even 35mm depending on the length of the gas run.

If your gas supply pipe isn’t up to standard, it needs to be upgraded, and this takes additional time.

Time Taken For Installation

This could take anywhere from a few hours, to a few days.

A gas run that needs a minor upgrade won’t add on extra days to your boiler install.

However, it’s worth having a boiler engineer come and inspect your property and gas run before booking time off work.

They must upgrade this pipework to a legal standard before signing off your boiler as being safe.

What’s Next?

Ready to get boiler quotes, and an accurate timeframe for fitting?

You can do that here: Book a boiler survey

Thanks for reading our 5-minute guide to determine how long it takes to fit a new boiler.

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