We are often asked the same or similar questions concerning the performance, suitability and installation challenges for the featured condensing boilers. To help our visitors this section contains a set of frequently asked questions for our central heating systems and boilers.

Just click on the underlined question to reveal the answer.

Boiler Installation Questions

1. Can a combi boiler be installed in a cupboard under the sink?
2. Can a boiler be installed in a loft?
3. Can a condensing boiler be installed in a house with a water softener?
4. Can you give me a price for this boiler?
5. Do British Gas supply boilers for someone else to install.
6. Do you need to be qualified before you can install a boiler?
7. Can I have a floor standing boiler fitted in my home?
8. I want to replace a back boiler with a combi boiler. Can I use the existing piping?
9. Is a PowerFlush included in British Gas Homecare plans.

Boiler Installation Answers

1. Can a combi boiler be installed in a cupboard under the sink?

   In theory a boiler could be installed in a kitchen cupboard, but finding one small enough to fit inside a small cupboard could be difficult. In addition to comply with the latest regulations the cupboard would have to be on an outer wall of the property to enable a flue to be fitted and provide adequate ventilation.

   To ensure that you comply with the regulations British Gas are able to send a heating advisor to your home to review the installation options and help to select the right boiler for your home. This visit is free with no-obligations on your part and will also enable an accurate quotation to be developed for a new boiler.

2. Can a boiler be installed in a loft?

   Yes, a boiler can be installed in a loft as long as the system is sealed. The loft itself has to have a drop down ladder attached to the hatch,the floor has to be boarded from the hatch to the boiler location and there has to be adequate lighting up there so the engineer can gain access quite easily to the boiler to repair or maintain. Also the standard ventilation requiremants also apply.

3. Can a condensing boiler be installed in a house with a water softener?

   Unfortunately a condensing boiler would not be suitable in a house with a water softener. All manufacturers of condensing boilers recommend their boilers to be fitted on a fresh untreated water supply.

4. Can you give me a price for this boiler?

   It is guesswork to quote a price without reviewing the property as the price includes the full installation costs. It is important to ensure that the right type of boiler is selected to meet the needs of your family and that the power rating is matched to your needs. The installation must also comply with the latest regulations which have changed in recent years.

   British Gas have trained heating advisors who can visit customers properties to complete an accurate survey for the right boiler before a firm quotation is issued reflecting all the installation costs, an inaccurate quote which increases in price as the facts are established is not a good service to customers and frequently leads to disappointment.

5. Do British Gas supply boilers for someone else to install.

   British Gas offer a full boiler supply and installation service, they do not supply boilers to be installed by someone else and they do not quote a boiler price separately. They procure boilers direct from the major manufacturers and they also specify boiler designs for manufacture. All boilers are then installed by British Gas’ own trained installers.

6. Do you need to be qualified before you can install a boiler?

   For gas-fired boilers, the installers you engage must be Council for Registered Gas Installers registered (CORGI) as a safety and legal requirement, and they should also be trained in the installation of condensing boilers.

   For oil-fired boilers, you can employ an Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) registered installer or a reputable installer who is capable of installing condensing boilers as per the paragraph above. OFTEC members are approved to certify that their work meets building regulations. If you employ an installer who is not registered with OFTEC, you will need to tell your local authority’s building control department before the installation work starts.

7. Can I have a floor standing boiler fitted in my home?

   Open flued floor standing boilers have been phased out with effect from April 2005 under the revision to Part L of the building regulations.

   The reason is that they are not efficient even from new, to comply with the governments energy efficiency regulations all new or replacement central heating boilers have to be condensing boilers. This also means they are fanned flue boilers and must be mounted against an outer wall.

   As a result you can get floor standing condensing boilers … but they do have to be fitted against an outer wall.

8. I want to replace a back boiler with a combi boiler. Can I use the existing piping?

   The old piping for a back boiler unit will be removed when your new combination boiler is installed as it is plumbed in a completely different way. The pipes you have going to radiators can remain in place as long as they are in a good state of repair.
   If the new system is sealed this type of boiler puts the system, and your old plumbing, under a 1 bar pressure so any weak or worn pipes and valves may leak unless replaced.

9. Is a PowerFlush included in British Gas Homecare plans.

   A PowerFlush is not included as part of the Homecare plans, it is a way of removing sludge and other waste from central-heating systems. This work can increase the life of your system, and improve efficiency.

   When you have an appropriate Homecare agreement and a repair is needed due to sludge (for example, damage to the pump, valves or radiators), British Gas will carry out this job, at no extra cost, as long as they have not already told you that you need a PowerFlush or similar procedure. The British Gas engineer will also tell you what other work is needed to avoid further problems.

   If British Gas recommend that you carry out a PowerFlush, they will charge you to carry out this work. Once it is finished, there will be no charge for any future PowerFlush work that may be needed as long as you keep a continuous HomeCare 100, 200, 300 or 400 agreement at that property and as long as theye carry out any work to correct design faults.