Anyone looking into getting a new boiler Bristol for the first time will likely encounter various snippets of advice, some of which will be accurate and some based on old beliefs or passed-down memories of a friend of a friend. These myths are not generally meant to be confusing, but they can affect whether you pick the right size boiler for the job and even the warranty terms you expect to have available. For Bristol homeowners deciding whether to fit a new boiler, getting the distinction right between fact and folklore surrounding new boiler Bristol installations makes for a happier fit for your home and your bank balance.

This article runs through ten myths about new boilers, explores why they started and how matters are really standing.

A number of these are simply outdated views, from a time when advice held water but has not progressed with modern heating technology regulations as time has worn on. This is certainly not meant to take the place of the knowledge of a qualified engineer in your property but even this clarification will help you understand what the key questions are to ask when purchasing a new boiler.

Myth Bigger Is Always Better

Many assume the bigger the better when it comes to a new boiler, but fitting an output far greater than is actually required can lead to far more issues than it is solution to. Over-sizing an boiler can result in the boiler cycling on and off much more often as it reaches its optimum heating temperature quickly, shuts itself down only to switch back on again. It is both inefficient for the environment, and also wearisome for components over time increasing the chance the appliance working life is cut short rather than prolonged.

Some mistakenly presume that adding a size or two up is best to allow for future use but seldom does that apply once the cost of electricity/gas wear &tear are considered.

The correct output required will of course depend on the house size, no of radiator (and size) andinsulation, get survey performed don’t just glance at the spec number!.

Myth Newer Always Means Cheaper Bills Immediately

While the new boiler will undoubtedly offer greater efficiency in operation, it does not imply that consumers will immediately start to see huge savings. These accrue, month by month, over the heating season, and it’s impossible to gauge efficiency of a new boiler based on a single month’s usage, as there is variable use, over a year round cycle. This does, also depend, significantly, on whether the control system / radiator set up, is used and maintained, as correctly, the appliance can save a significant number, and, without it set properly, it’s hard to identify.

It’s also, obviously dependent on wholesale prices of fuel.

If the underlying unit cost of gas increases, the savings made, in terms of increased efficiency of the boiler may become disguised between bills. It’s for this reason that people expecting an overnight reduction in cost, are sometimes disappointed with the result, even if the new appliance IS, in practice, doing a better job.

Myth Any Engineer Can Fit Any Boiler

“Although any Gas Safe registered engineer can fit any type of gas boiler, it doesn’t necessarily mean an engineer is as experienced with all different types of manufacturer or system. Some manufacturers also have specific accreditation schemes that could entitle you to an extended boiler warranty when the work is done by an accredited installer – something you may otherwise forfeit even if the installation itself has been carried out to the highest standard. “Engineers also often find they get more familiar with certain systems or brands, leading to faster fixes down the line if any minor adjustments or fixes are needed. Asking your installer if he has experience working with your chosen boiler before you book work is a perfectly sensible precaution to take.”

Myth A New Boiler Never Needs Servicing

New boilers are of course covered by the manufacturer’s warranty but it’s a misconception among some homeowners that this mean a brand new appliance, unlike its predecessor, does not require regular maintenance or even first service for the first 2 to 3 years (or maybe even longer, depending on your beliefs!). What the majority of homeowners either fail to realize or forget altogether is the critical role that a boiler service play’s in maintaining such warranty (even if your boiler is less than twelve months old). You’ll actually find out that in fact, almost all boiler manufacturers will refuse to accept any warranty work to a gas boiler if it has not been serviced regularly since installation (and that is typically at least once a year!). Most of them stipulate that you should get the warranty, that is provided by the manufacturer on that new boiler, upheld then a annually boiler service should be carried out and that this warranty will be invalidated at if you do not have a new boiler serviced on an annual basis, even on the first year after it has been fitted,.

Myth Combi Boilers Suit Every Home

This is likely due to their smaller size and the lower installation cost, however a combi has now become so popular that many people have come to a false conclusion that they would be suitable for all homes. For households with more than one bathroom, or even homes where several hot taps may be required simultaneously a combi boiler could be found to not cope with the demands and temperature at two or more taps at once which could result in quite a noticeable reduction in water pressure if two showers were switched on at one time. An system boiler which still incorporates a hot water cylinder but no tank in the loft would potentially be more suited for larger households even if there is a higher cost associated with installation compared to a combi boiler. There are though newer models of combi boiler which have additional options to support simultaneous usage, so it would always be recommended to discuss your specific daily usage with an installer prior to making a decision.

Myth The Cheapest Quote Is Always the Best Value

It is easy to be drawn toward the cheapest price as quotes come through, but be careful, as a lower quote does not necessarily translate to the most cost-effective option once the entire scope of work is considered. A much cheaper quote can sometimes mean a smaller specification, a shorter warranty, or key additions like a system flush or magnetic filter being left out. When comparing quotes for a new boiler Bristol installation, taking a like-for-like comparison across all points provides a much more reasonable picture of value instead of basing the decision entirely on the initial price advertised. Lower quotes can sometimes signal shortcuts in the work, missing elements that could lead to additional expenses through early faults, poor commissioning checks, or lower-standard fittings that may be prone to failure in the early years. Sometimes, spending a few extra pounds can provide better workmanship, more comprehensive installation and greater long-term value. 

Myth Boiler Brand Does Not Matter

Many homeowners simply assume that all boilers do more or less the same thing once they have been put in and there are some differences in reliability and part availability between brands, even though standards in the sector has undoubtedly improved overall. Many people like to deal with a local engineer whom the boiler brand has trained or whom has experience working with it, this can make any required repairs happen faster. However, if you opt for a lesser known brand a specialist part can quite often take longer to arrive.

The actual warranty period also differs considerably between boiler brands and models, so while one might only come with two to three years, a top of the range model installed by a professional installer can even come with ten year warranty!

However, if you discount brands and focus solely on function the job of heating your home is for the most part fairly similar, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that everything else about each boiler is as similar.

Myth Installation Always Takes Just One Day

So if it’s simple combi boiler replacement in same position as old one that does not need much if any alteration to any pipe work it can sometimes be done in a day although every boiler installation will not necessarily fall into that category. A boiler conversion, from the old style of central heating to that of combi, or from different heating fueled systems, will often take far longer that this as would putting the combi boiler in a new position from previous, sometimes taking a few days depending on how much extra pipework and alteration are needed. Older or odd type pipework on older property’s, or those where further permission is needed like for consent in a listed building, also adds to the job waiting time before or within works. People assuming every installation will be completed in a day cause frustration when a more complex job is taken further due to it is normal.

Myth Warranty Registration Happens Automatically

A common myth among homeowners is that once the boiler has been fitted, the manufacturer has been notified of it automatically, and therefore the warranty begins from then. In actual fact, you will probably need to officially register the boiler’s warranty separately after installation. This may be the work of either the installer or yourself and can mean a nasty surprise when your boiler goes faulty and you learn the warranty never kicked off correctly and so you get to pay for the repair.

Be aware, too, that registration may have a deadline on it, often 30 days from installation, at which point the full warranty period may even be revoked.

Some installers do register for their customers but for others you will be expected to pop onto the boiler manufacturers’ website or phone them soon after getting your boiler installed to register it.

Myth A New Boiler Solves Every Heating Problem

While a new boiler can give you more reliability and economy than your old unit, it does not solve every problem in an entire property concerning heat loss. Cold rooms due to the fact that the home is poorly insulated or the fact that the radiators are not balanced or the pipes are full of sludge from not being flushed through for the past 30 years are just some that will not be resolved if the householder simply swaps the current boiler for a brand new one as none of these can be accounted for within the appliance. People may swap the boiler expecting their own previous heating frustrations to be put right by it and fail to realise their bedroom which was colder than anywhere else in the house is no warmer than it used to be.

Similarly, cold radiators, different floor temperatures and drafts from leaky windows can all have an effect, and no matter how efficient the new boiler, they will not compensate for these things.

Often, when problems like this occur in conjunction with those fixed by a boiler upgrade, things like improving the insulation, balancing radiators, system flushing etc. Alongside fitting the new boiler have more of a positive and noticeable effect.