Boiler installations and replacements in Bristol
Boiler packed in? Call us and we'll get an engineer out the same day. If you're planning ahead, we'll survey your home, quote in writing and fit a boiler that suits it.
What you get with every replacement
- A survey and written price before any work starts
- Old boiler drained, removed and taken away
- New boiler fitted, system flushed and everything tested
- Certificate and warranty paperwork handed over
Six signs your boiler is at the end of its life
A boiler rarely fails without warning. If you recognise more than one of these, get a price for a replacement before it gives up in the middle of January.
It's 10 to 15 years old
Most gas boilers give 10 to 15 good years. After that, parts get harder to find and breakdowns come more often.
The repairs keep coming
A second or third call-out in a year, or a repair quote that's a big slice of a new boiler's price, usually means replacing makes more sense.
Heating bills keep climbing
An older non-condensing boiler can waste up to a third of the gas it burns. A modern condensing boiler turns 90% or more into heat.
Banging, whistling or gurgling
Kettling noises point to limescale or sludge around the heat exchanger. A clean sometimes cures it, but on an old boiler it's often the start of the end.
A yellow flame or black marks
A lazy yellow flame, or soot around the boiler, can mean the gas isn't burning cleanly. Switch it off and have a Gas Safe engineer look at it.
Pressure drops or damp patches
A boiler that keeps losing pressure, or water underneath it, can mean an internal leak. That's often not worth repairing on an older unit.
Carbon monoxide is a real risk with faulty gas appliances. If you get headaches, dizziness or nausea near the boiler, turn it off, open the windows, leave the property and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
Combi, system or regular: which one suits your home
All new gas boilers are condensing, so efficiency is similar across the types. The right choice comes down to how many bathrooms you have, your mains water pressure and how much space you want back.
Combi boiler
Heats hot water on demand straight from the mains. No cylinder and no loft tanks, so you get cupboard and loft space back.
- Best for
- One or two bathrooms, flats and smaller homes
- Bear in mind
- Two showers at once share the flow, and it needs decent mains pressure
System boiler
Heats a hot water cylinder, with the pump and expansion vessel built in. No loft tank, and plenty of hot water stored for the whole house.
- Best for
- Larger homes with two or more bathrooms
- Bear in mind
- You need space for the cylinder
Regular (heat-only) boiler
Works with a cylinder plus a cold water tank and feed tank in the loft. Common in older homes that already have a traditional system.
- Best for
- Homes with low mains pressure or an existing tank setup
- Bear in mind
- Takes the most space, so it's often worth converting during a refit
Worth adding while the old boiler is out
Magnetic system filter
Catches the rust and sludge that wear out pumps and heat exchangers.
Better controls
Room thermostats, timers and load or weather compensation cut gas use, and Part L expects sensible controls on a new boiler.
Scale protection
In a hard-water area, a scale inhibitor protects the heat exchanger from limescale.
Flue options
Horizontal, vertical and plume-kit flues let us site the boiler where it suits you, within the manufacturer's limits.
What a full boiler replacement covers
This is what's in our quote, so you know exactly what you're paying for before we start.
- Home survey, boiler sizing based on your home's heat loss, and a flow-rate test for combi swaps
- Itemised written quote naming the boiler model and its warranty
- Floors and furniture protected, and the system drained down
- Old boiler disconnected, removed and disposed of responsibly
- New boiler, flue, isolation valves and condensate pipework fitted
- System cleanse to BS 7593 and a magnetic filter fitted
- Thermostat and controls set up and explained to you
- Commissioning with flue gas analysis and the Benchmark checklist completed
- Carbon monoxide alarm fitted where the regulations require one
From first call to a boiler that's signed off
Most replacements are done in one to two days. Here is what happens, in order, so there are no surprises on the day.
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Survey and written quote
We visit, look at your existing boiler, flue route, pipework and controls, and ask how you use hot water. You get an itemised quote with the price before we start.
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Choosing the boiler
We explain the options in plain English and recommend a model sized to your home, not the biggest one on the shelf.
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Fitting day
We protect floors, drain the system, remove the old boiler and fit the new one. Pipework, flue, filter and controls are all done in the same visit.
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Cleanse, test and commission
We flush the system, fill it with inhibitor, and test everything. Flue gases are analysed and the Benchmark checklist is completed.
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Handover and tidy up
We show you how the controls work, hand over your paperwork and warranty details, and leave your home clean and tidy.
What decides the cost of a new boiler
No two homes are the same, which is why we quote after a survey rather than guessing over the phone. These are the things that move the price.
The type and size of boiler
Output, make and warranty length all change the price. A bigger boiler isn't a better one if it's oversized for your radiators.
Moving the boiler
Swapping like for like in the same spot is the simplest job. Relocating it means new pipework, a new flue route and more labour.
Changing boiler type
Going from a regular boiler to a combi means removing tanks and cylinder and altering pipework. It's worth it for the space, but it adds to the job.
Flue and condensate runs
A longer or vertical flue, or a condensate pipe that has to run a distance to a drain, adds parts and time.
Condition of the system
Heavy sludge, old valves or a failing pump may need extra cleaning or replacing so the new boiler isn't put at risk.
Controls and extras
Smart thermostats, zoning, filters and scale protection are optional, and we price each one separately so you can pick.
Looking after your new boiler
A few simple habits keep a new boiler efficient and keep the warranty intact.
- Get it serviced every year. Most manufacturers require an annual service to keep the warranty valid, and it catches small faults early.
- Check the pressure. Most sit between 1 and 1.5 bar when cold. If it keeps dropping, call us rather than topping it up again and again.
- Run the heating now and then. Even in summer, a few minutes a month stops pumps and valves seizing.
- Keep the area around the boiler clear. Don't block ventilation or store things against it.
- Test your carbon monoxide alarm. Do it regularly and replace the batteries when needed.
Related services
Boiler repairs and servicingAnnual services and fault finding Central heating systemsRadiators, controls and power flushing Emergency plumbingOut of hours call-outs, 24/7Boiler installations near you
Boiler replacement questions, answered
Can't see your question here? Call us on 01225 123456 and we'll talk it through.
How long does a boiler replacement take?
Most like-for-like swaps are finished in one day. Changing boiler type, for example from a regular boiler with tanks to a combi, or moving the boiler to a new position, usually takes one to two days because of the extra pipework and flue work.
Do I need a combi, system or regular boiler?
It depends on how many bathrooms you have, your mains water pressure and the space available. Combis suit smaller homes with one or two bathrooms. System boilers suit larger homes that need stored hot water. Regular boilers suit homes with low mains pressure or an existing tank setup. We'll recommend one after the survey.
Do you get a certificate when the boiler is fitted?
Yes. We commission the boiler, complete the Benchmark checklist and notify the installation so you receive a Building Regulations compliance certificate. Keep it safe, as you'll need it if you sell the property.
Will I be without heating and hot water?
Only while the work is being done. On a like-for-like swap you'll normally have heating and hot water back by the end of the day. We'll tell you in advance how long it should take for your home.
Is a quote really free, and do you charge a callout fee?
Yes. There is no callout charge, and the survey and written quote are free. You'll see the full price, including the boiler model and what's included, before you agree to anything.
What guarantee do I get on the work?
The boiler itself comes with the manufacturer's warranty, which we'll name in your quote. We also give a 5 year guarantee on fixtures and fittings. Keeping up the annual service helps keep the manufacturer's warranty valid.
Get a written price for your boiler replacement
Tell us about your home and we'll arrange a survey. There's no callout charge, and you'll know the full price before any work begins.
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