Your guide to moving a boiler

Deciding to have a new boiler installed to improve the efficiency of your home is becoming a common practice in UK households. It is now proven to pay off long term by reducing the amount of energy your home will need to properly be heated.

However, homeowners aren’t just replacing their old boilers with more energy-efficient models but relocating where they reside. Some boilers can be noisy which is less than ideal if they are placed in a bedroom cupboard/ airing cupboard near where a member of the household sleeps. But mostly generally find it more convenient to move a smaller boiler into a smaller cupboard for ease of access and maintenance.

If you have decided you would like to relocate your new boiler our experts have put together a guide answering any questions or queries you may have.

How long does it take to move a boiler?

In short, it varies depending on your situation. Moving a standard combi boiler a few feet away will not take long compared to moving a heavier system boiler from the garage up to the attic. System boilers will require the pipework to be diverted to your new position so it isn't as simple as a single day’s work.

However, typically, an engineer will take two days to move a boiler from one location to another. This will require the engineer to perform tasks such as moving and lifting the boiler, boiler installation, fitting additional pipework, and flue installation.

Where can you move your boiler to?

You should be able to move your boiler to just about any location in your home within reason, although the most common places we find that boilers reside are:

• Airing cupboard
• Attic
• Bathroom
• Bedroom
• Garage
• Kitchen
• Utility room

Although this is something you would need to discuss with your engineer. There are a few circumstances where your relocation space will be limited. If you have a combi boiler, this does not tend to be an issue, but be aware that regular and system boilers all have different elements that will need to be moved alongside the boiler. For example:

Regular and system boilers are larger, have more external components, and have both a boiler and storage cylinder.

System boilers require a large water storage cylinder, which is typically housed in an airing cupboard.

Regular boilers have both a boiler unit and a storage cylinder as well as a feed and expansion tank, which must be kept in the attic as it needs to be above the boiler to function.

How much does it cost to move a boiler?

Like our expert’s prior advice, each job and boiler is treated individually, and therefore it's best to get in contact with an expert to discuss a price they can help break down costs with you. As a standard rule of thumb, we can advise that engineers typically have a set fee to move boilers of a standard weight, however, if you have a heavier-than-average boiler and/or want to move the cylinder too, this can drive the cost of moving it upwards.

Choosing the location for a new boiler for your home is a big deal, and we appreciate it's not a decision that is made in a heartbeat.

For more information relating to boilers and heating systems take a look at our blog here.