Thinking about a new boiler?

Should you repair or replace your boiler?

If your boiler has broken down, the first question is usually whether it's worth fixing or whether it's time for a new one. As a rough guide: a newer boiler with a one-off fault is normally worth repairing, while an older boiler that keeps failing, is expensive to run, or can no longer be repaired safely is often better replaced. There's no single cut-off age; it depends on the boiler, the fault and the cost of putting it right.

It's worth getting a Gas Safe registered engineer to look at it before you decide. They can tell you whether the fault is a simple, covered repair or a sign the boiler is coming to the end of its life. If it can be fixed, a repair or a cover plan may be the cheaper route; if it can't, a new boiler is the sensible next step.

Smart Plan is a service plan, not insurance. Our job is cover: a Smart Plan looks after a working boiler for future breakdowns, with parts and labour included up to your cover limit. It won't pay for a fault the boiler already has, and it isn't a way to buy a new boiler.

Signs it might be time for a new boiler

None of these on their own means you definitely need a new boiler, but together they're worth taking seriously:

• It keeps breaking down, and repairs are becoming more frequent or more expensive
• Your heating bills have crept up as an older boiler has become less efficient
• Parts are getting harder to find because the model is old or discontinued
• It struggles to heat your home or hot water the way it used to
• It's leaking, or a Gas Safe registered engineer has flagged a safety concern
• You're planning work (an extension, a bathroom or a kitchen) that the current boiler can't support

What affects the cost of a new boiler?

The cost of a new boiler isn't one fixed figure; it depends on your home and the boiler you choose, which is why it's best to get a proper quote from a Gas Safe registered installer rather than rely on a headline price. The biggest things that move the price are the type and size of boiler, the work involved in fitting it, and any extras you add at the same time.

Because every home is different, a quote based on your actual property will always beat a number from a table. It's worth getting more than one.

The main things that change the price

When an installer quotes for a new boiler, these are the factors that tend to make the difference:

• Boiler type: a combi, system or conventional (heat-only) boiler suits different homes and comes at different prices
• Size and output: a bigger home with more bathrooms usually needs a higher-output boiler
• Whether you keep it in the same place: moving the boiler to a new location adds pipework and labour
• Fuel type: most homes are on mains gas, but oil, LPG and electric boilers are priced differently
• Controls and extras: a smart thermostat, new radiators or a system flush all add to the total
• Labour and access: how straightforward the installation is for the engineer on the day

What a new boiler installation involves

A typical replacement follows the same broad steps, carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer:

• A survey of your home to work out the right type and size of boiler for the way you live
• A quote setting out the boiler, the work involved and anything you're adding at the same time
• Fitting on the day: removing the old boiler, installing the new one and connecting it up safely
• Commissioning and safety checks, so the engineer can confirm it's working correctly before they leave
• Registering the installation: a gas boiler fitted by a Gas Safe registered engineer is notified for Building Regulations, and you should be left the paperwork and the manufacturer's warranty details

Covering your boiler with Smart Plan

Smart Plan is a service plan, not insurance, provided by UK Boiler Company Ltd, which has been trading since 2014 and now looks after over 15,000 customers. Once your new boiler is in and working, you can keep it looked after with a Smart Plan cover plan: add the boiler and central heating module, plus any of plumbing, drainage, electrical, appliance, pest or home security, and pay one monthly price for only the cover you pick.

Boiler cover includes parts and labour up to £500 in each 12-month period while your boiler is under 7 years old. While a new boiler is under its manufacturer's warranty, the maker deals with manufacturer defects, which a cover plan excludes. To set up cover, ask for a free call back; nothing is set up or paid online.

If you're not sure whether you need a new boiler yet, it's worth having it looked at first; a repair or a cover plan is often the cheaper route if the boiler can still be fixed safely.

Grants and help towards a new boiler

Depending on where you live and your circumstances, there may be government schemes that help towards a low-carbon heating system such as a heat pump. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme in England and Wales is one example; it's run through gov.uk and applied for by an accredited installer on your behalf, not by us. It's always worth checking the official guidance to see whether you're eligible before you commit.

Staying safe with gas

Any work on a gas boiler must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer; never attempt it yourself, and don't use anyone who can't show they're registered. It's your safest guarantee that the work has been done properly.

If you ever smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide, treat it as an emergency. Leave the property if you need to, and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 straight away.

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Get a call back to set up cover

Get a free call back and we'll help you set up the cover that suits your home. We aim to call you back within one working day, Monday to Friday, 08:00-18:00. It's a service plan, not insurance.

Related cover and links

• Boiler & central heating cover
• Flexible boiler cover explained
• See how pricing works
• No heating? Safe checks first
• What size boiler do I need?
• How old is my boiler?
• Is boiler cover worth it?
• Boiler condemned? Your options
• Boiler repair or replace? How to decide
• All things boilers
• Boiler efficiency by area: the postcode gap study
• Boiler Upgrade Scheme (gov.uk)
• Check the Gas Safe Register
• National Gas Emergency Service (0800 111 999)