Boiler Checklist for New Homeowners

Boiler checklist for new homeowners: what to check before you move in

Buying a new house can be exciting, but it comes with many responsibilities. Our heating engineers highly recommend paying special attention to the boiler while checking the rest of the house. Use this checklist to spot potential problems early and decide whether you need a professional inspection before you commit.

What to check on a boiler in your new home

These are practical checks you can do yourself during a viewing or survey. They don't replace a full inspection, but they will highlight anything that needs immediate attention.

1. Condition of the boiler

• While surveying the house, don't forget to look closely at the boiler.
• A neat and clean boiler gives the impression of a fully functional unit, but that's not always the case. Even when a boiler looks new and undamaged it can have problems.
• You should always check for leakages and dampness around the boiler and the surrounding wall or floor.

2. Age of the boiler

When buying a newly built property you may not feel the need to check the age of the boiler. But you can't ignore this point when buying an older property. The boiler's age plays a massive part in its performance. A well-managed boiler can last for more than fifteen years, whereas a neglected one would not last for 5 years.

3. Boiler service record

• Well-serviced boilers perform well and last longer. If a boiler has a record of annual visits by heating engineers, it is a well-kept boiler.
• Look for receipts, service stickers or a logbook to confirm regular maintenance.
• Make sure you enquire about the service of the boiler before buying the house.

4. Make and model of boiler

One more thing to consider before buying is the make and model of the boiler. This information will help with the maintenance of the boiler as well as with the purchase of spare parts in the future. The model of the boiler can also determine its quality.

5. ErP rating (Energy-related Products Directive)

The good news is that nowadays all new boilers on the market need to be rated between 92% and 94% efficiency, making the gap between the least energy-efficient and the most efficient on the market smaller.

6. Condensing boiler technology

Another factor in the improvement of energy-efficient boilers is that all new boilers are condensing. Condensing boilers harness heat energy from waste gas and reuse it to heat your home. This results in less gas being consumed by your boiler for the same results.

7. Choose a boiler approved by the Energy Saving Trust

The Energy Saving Trust has a boiler endorsement scheme that picks out the most energy-efficient boilers available for consumers. Selecting a boiler endorsed by the Energy Saving Trust gives you peace of mind that your boiler system meets and exceeds energy efficiency standards.

Hire an experienced heating engineer for boiler installation

A boiler is only as efficient as the heating engineer that installs it. If your boiler installation is carried out to a poor standard, you certainly won't be taking advantage of your boiler's potential to save energy. Choosing a knowledgeable and experienced heating engineer to carry out the work is a must.

So, how do I find a trusted gas engineer?

Firstly, you will need to find a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer to help install, repair or service your boiler. There are many other factors to consider too.

Get a recommendation from family and friends

Getting a recommendation for a heating engineer from somebody you know is a great way to find a trades professional. Your friends and family will be able to give you their honest opinion on how they found the service and whether it met their expectations.

Check for accreditations

Anyone offering gas boiler services has to legally be registered with the Gas Safe Register. To find out if the heating engineer you hire is Gas Safe registered, simply look on their website or ask them to show you their Gas Safe ID. You can then search for them on the main Gas Safe Register website at www.gassaferegister.co.uk.

Browse online directories and review websites

Taking a look through online trade directories and review websites will help you find comments from people who have hired the same heating engineer and the experience they had. It also allows you to look for local engineers in your area.

Want to know more?

If you would like to get professional advice from our heating engineers throughout West Sussex, Pulborough, Storrington and Billingshurst, get in touch by calling us on 01903 740538 or 07871 725133. You can also read more about our Boiler Servicing and Boiler Installation services.