Choosing a replacement boiler

Buying a replacement boiler is likely to be one of the most expensive household appliance purchases you will make - so it's important to choose the best replacement boiler for your home, at the right price.

Replacement boiler check-list

You will need to decide which type of replacement boiler to go for. Here are some considerations you should bear in mind:

- Fuel type
The majority of UK households have a gas heating system equipped with a gas boiler, but for the estimated 4.3m households not connected to the UK's gas network, there are alternatives. Other options include fitting an oil boiler, liquid petroleum gas or LPG boiler, or a wood burning stove fitted with a back boiler - see our home heating systems guide or heating oil guide for more information.

- Boiler type
Decide if you want to replace your boiler with a combination, or combi boiler, which provides heat for your radiators and domestic hot water on demand, or a heat-only boiler, which is connected to a hot water storage system - our combi boiler page will help you decide which type of boiler is best for you, or ask a professional installer for their opinion.

- Boiler efficiency
If you have gas central heating, your boiler will account for around 60% of your home's CO2 emissions, according to the Energy Saving Trust. This makes a key priority if you're looking to cut your energy bills and carbon footprint.

Boiler efficiency is a key part of our independent boiler reviews; you can filter our boiler test results by efficiency rating using our compare features tool.

- Boiler manufacturer
There are a number boiler brands out there, so a good place to start is Which?'s independent review of boilers to find out which boilers and boiler brands are recommended as Best Buys. Cross reference these with their review of gas boiler brands - which scores boiler manufacturers including Worcester Bosch, British Gas, Vaillant and Baxi, according to how their own customers rate them.

- Heating controls
Heating controls let you take charge of when, where and at which temperature your heating is operating. It’s a good way of managing your heating costs, as you can ensure that your heating is only on in the rooms and at the times you want it to be. When you come to replace your boiler, it may be a good time to install a heating control system.

Boiler installation

Please do not attempt to install a replacement boiler yourself - leave it to the professionals. Find a heating engineer on the Gas Safe Register (The gas registration scheme previously run by Corgi) to do the work for you. To be sure of a trades person's credentials, ask to see their Gas Safe Register ID card or run a check on the Gas Safe Register website.

Sometimes installation companies, including services offered through British Gas and other energy companies will recommend a replacement boiler, rather than allowing you to choose your preferred model - if you already have a specific boiler model in mind, make this clear to the installer from the outset.
I hope this article will help someone choose the right boiler for their needs. For more information, hints and tips check out www.discountedheating.co.uk/blog