At a glance
- Combi swap
- Usually about a day
- System conversion
- Usually 2 to 3 days
- Warranty
- Manufacturer's, registered for you
- Paperwork
- Building Regs certificate
New boiler St Helens homes can rely on
A new boiler is a big decision, and getting the right one fitted properly makes all the difference to your heating, your hot water and your energy bills. We carry out boiler installation across St Helens and the whole borough, from Eccleston and Rainford to Sutton and Newton-le-Willows. Every job is surveyed, planned and fitted by Matthew Birchall, Gas Safe registered (number 653634), who is also a qualified plumber.
We install most makes and all the main boiler types: combi, system and conventional. Matthew will recommend the right type for your home and budget, and explain the options in plain English so you can decide. Our boiler installation St Helens customers get the same honest advice whether they want a basic combi or a top of the range model.
Combi boiler, system or conventional boilers?
Choosing the right type matters more than choosing the brand. Each of the three main boiler systems suits a different kind of home, and the best choice depends on your bathrooms, your water pressure and how many people use hot water at once. All three boiler systems heat your radiators the same way.
Combi boiler
A combi boiler (short for combination boiler) heats water on demand straight from the mains, so there is no hot water cylinder or loft tank. Combi boilers save space and suit most flats and houses with one bathroom. Because they heat water as you use it, the flow rate depends on your mains pressure. A combi boiler is the most popular choice for boiler installation in St Helens, and a combination swap is usually the quickest job to install.
System boiler
A system boiler heats a hot water cylinder, usually an unvented cylinder fed from the mains. It suits homes with two or more bathrooms where showers may run at the same time, because stored water copes better with high demand. Most of the parts are built into the boiler, so it is neat and reliable.
Conventional boilers
These boilers (also called regular or heat only boilers) use a cold water tank in the loft, a feed and expansion tank and a hot water cylinder. They suit older homes with existing pipework, or where the mains pressure is low. Sometimes we keep a conventional setup, and sometimes it makes sense to convert to one of the other boiler systems.
| Boiler type | Hot water comes from | Hot water cylinder? | Loft tanks? | Usually suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combi | The mains, heated on demand | No | No | Flats and homes with one bathroom |
| System | A stored cylinder | Yes | No | Homes with two or more bathrooms |
| Conventional (regular) | A stored cylinder | Yes | Yes | Older homes keeping their tanks, or low mains pressure |
Getting the size right
Boilers are rated in kilowatts (kW). A combi boiler is sized mainly for hot water, so the kW figure is about flow rate at the taps. The other boiler systems are sized for the heat the house needs. Bigger is not better. An oversized boiler wastes fuel and cycles on and off, which hurts reliability. Matthew works it out from the size of the house, the radiators, the bathrooms and how much water you use, so the boiler is efficient from day one.
Boiler installation St Helens: our process
Here is what happens from the first call to the finished new system.
- Survey: Matthew visits, looks at the existing boiler and heating system, pipework, flue route, gas supply and radiators, and talks through how you use your heating and hot water.
- Quote: you get a clear written quote for the boiler installation, covering the boiler, materials and labour, with free, fixed-price quotes.
- Removal: the existing boiler is drained down, disconnected safely and taken away. On conversions, old tanks and cylinders are removed too.
- Installation: we install the new boiler, along with any new pipework, gas supply upgrade, flue and condensate drain.
- Cleaning: the central heating is flushed, or power flushed where needed, so sludge from the old system does not damage the new boiler.
- Filter and inhibitor: a quality magnetic filter is fitted and inhibitor added to protect the boiler and improve efficiency.
- Controls: a suitable thermostat and controls are fitted so the new boiler is as efficient as possible.
- Commissioning and safety checks: gas tightness, gas pressure, flue gas readings and all safety checks are carried out and recorded.
- Building Regulations: the installation is notified through Gas Safe, and you receive your compliance certificate in the post.
- Warranty: the boiler comes with the manufacturer's standard warranty, and we register it on your behalf.
A straight combi swap in St Helens usually takes about a day. Conversions and boiler moves usually take two to three days. We keep your home warm as much as we can during the job.
What affects the cost
The main factors are the boiler you choose from the range available, whether it is a like-for-like swap or a conversion, any flue or gas pipe upgrades, and extras such as new radiators or controls. Everything covered by the quote is listed, so you can plan your budget.
Signs it's time to start replacing your boiler
If you are not sure whether to repair or replace, these signs suggest replacing is the better choice:
- the boiler is over 10 to 15 years old
- you are paying for boiler repairs more than once a year
- parts are discontinued or slow to arrive
- the boiler is noisy, leaks or keeps losing pressure
- your energy bills keep climbing even though your usage has not changed
- the hot water runs cold or the radiators take ages to heat up
- you see a yellow or orange flame, soot or staining (turn it off and call 0800 111 999 if you suspect carbon monoxide)
Boiler repairs or a new boiler?
Not every fault means a new boiler. On a younger boiler, a repair is nearly always the better value, and our boiler repair services cover most makes and faults. If a repair will give you years of reliable service, he will say so.
On an older boiler, frequent boiler repairs add up. Replacing it with a modern condensing boiler can improve efficiency, lower your energy bills and stop future issues leaving you without heating in the middle of winter. Weigh up the age of the boiler, the cost of each repair and how reliable it has been, and Matthew will help you decide. Our boiler repairs, emergency callouts and repair services all come from the same engineer, so you get straight answers.
Lower energy bills with a new system
Older non-condensing boilers waste a lot of energy up the flue. A correctly sized new boiler, with good controls and a clean heating system, uses less gas to keep the home warm. Adding thermostatic radiator valves and a smart thermostat helps you heat only the rooms you use.
Central heating and hot water, done properly
Boiler installation is often the moment to fix other problems in the central heating. Matthew can add or move radiators, upgrade controls, or install an unvented cylinder for better hot water pressure. If your radiators are full of sludge, a power flush before the new boiler goes in protects your investment. For bigger jobs, see our central heating page.
Because we also offer plumbing and heating services and full bathroom fitting, it is easy to plan a new boiler alongside a new bathroom or shower, so the boiler suits the hot water you will actually use.
Gas appliances, safety and maintenance
All gas work, including connecting new gas appliances, must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You can check Matthew's number on the Gas Safe Register website or ask to see his ID card. Fitting a boiler also means checking the gas meter and supply pipe are big enough, which any professional installer in St Helens should do.
After installation, fit a carbon monoxide alarm near the boiler and any other gas appliances. Regular maintenance keeps a new boiler efficient. An annual boiler service is the key maintenance job, as it keeps the warranty valid and the boiler running safely.
Our boiler services in St Helens
Alongside boiler installation, our services include:
- boiler repairs and emergency repair services, day or night
- boiler maintenance and annual servicing
- central heating services, radiators and controls
- plumbing services, from leaks to bathroom plumbing
- gas services, including gas cooker and hob fitting
Landlords
Landlords in St Helens can have a new boiler fitted between tenancies or with minimal disruption to tenants. A new boiler does not replace the yearly gas safety check, and we can carry out both.
Customer satisfaction and heating work you can trust
We are a local plumber, not a call centre. When you ring 07759 813431, you speak to Matthew, and he is the one who fits your boiler. That means professional, high quality work, a fair price agreed before the job starts, and a reliable service from survey to handover. We tidy up after ourselves, explain how your new boiler and controls work, and leave you with all the paperwork. That is how we keep customers across St Helens happy with their heating work for years.