Cost of Central Heating Installation
The cost of central heating installation can vary greatly depending on the size of your property, the type of system you are having installed, and the type of fuel you are going to use.
It is advisable to get a good idea of what you want before contacting several local installers for quotes. Central heating is likely to be one of the more expensive home improvements that you make, so it is important to get the best and most efficient system for your budget.
The cost of central heating installation varies greatly dsepending on property size and system chosen.
Gas is generally the cheapest and most environmentally-friendly fuel, so if you have connection to the mains gas supply, then it is probably the best option.
If you don’t currently have mains gas, you can find out how much it will cost to get connected; if there is a supply nearby it may not be too expensive. If not, you can use LPG, oil, or electricity to power the central heating instead.
Why install central heating
Over half the money the average UK household spends on energy, is on heating and hot water. With fuel prices rising annually there has never been more incentive for home-owners to monitor and reduce their energy usage.Central heating, when used along with double-glazing and good insulation, will make a house much more energyefficient, reduce carbon emissions, and save money.
Costs of different systems
If you are having a gas system installed you will first have to decide whether to have a standard condensing boiler or a combination boiler. A condensing boiler may be better for larger properties, and particularly large families which use a lot of hot water; while a combination boiler is better suited to smaller properties as there is no space requirement for a hot water cylinder.
The installation of a system with a condensing boiler is more complex, and will cost in the region of £2,500 – £5,000 depending on the size of the house. The cost of having a combination boiler installed is roughly £1,500 – £3000.
An oil-fired system is one of the most expensive to fit, if the whole system including the storage tank is to be installed. The installation of the central heating system and boiler will cost around £3,500 – £4,500 and the installation of the external storage tank will cost around £2,800.
Installation breakdown
The installation can be broken down into the different stages, and it is worth bearing in mind that much of the total cost goes on labour. The quicker the installers can get in and out of your house, the less you will pay for labour. A typical installation could take four to five days, so it may be beneficial for you and your family to stay away from the home for those few days.
The estimated cost of installation of a gas system with eight radiators into a three bedroom house could be roughly £2000 for labour, £500 for radiators, £850 for the boiler and flue, £300 for controls, valves and electrics, £200 for the cylinder and tank, £200 for the pipe work, £150 for insulation and plaster, and £50 for fixings. A total installation cost of £4,250 would include all materials and a completed job.
By the third day, the installer should be ready to connect the boiler and radiators.
As a general guide to the work your installers will carry out, on the first day they are likely to lift the floorboards, mount the boiler and the radiators, and fit the flue and the drain.
On day two you could expect them to fit the hot water cylinder and the loft tank, and lay the pipe work and insulation.
On the third day of the install they should be ready to connect the boiler and the radiators, and on the fourth connect the hot water cylinder and fit the electrics.
Finally the system should be commissioned and the floorboards replaced.
Reducing central heating installation costs
Central heating installation costs are often out of your control, but you should do whatever you can to get the best possible heating system for your budget.
One of the biggest costs involved is the price of the installer’s labour, by moving the family out of the house while they complete the job you will reduce the time they need on site.
Consider the style of radiators you have chosen and whether there is a cheaper option which will do an equal job. Although you may have your heart set on a certain style to match the decor of your home, a more functional style may be cheaper and give you a bigger budget for the boiler. The look of the radiators is important, but the boiler is what makes the system efficient and cost-effective.
If you are a DIY enthusiast you could save money on the installation by doing much of the work yourself. Although a central heating system is certainly not for the novice, the whole system can be fitted by anyone as long as the gas connection is made by a gas safe registered installer.
The installation and connection of the hot water cylinder should also be left to the professionals, and should only be done by an installer who has Unvented Hot Water Storage System (UHWSS) certification.
Summary
The cost of installing a central heating system is dependant on so many factors that it is advisable to source at least three quotes from installers in your area. When you speak to installers, have a good idea of the type of boiler you want, how many radiators you need, and what level of control you want over the system.
This will help installation companies to give you accurate quotes for the type of system you require. Make sure you find an installer who can carry out the entire job, from the gas connection to the plumbing and the electrics. Using several different contractors is likely to be more expensive and time-consuming.
You may want to complete some of the installation by yourself to save money, but be careful not to do anything you don’t feel confident with, and remember that only qualified persons can work on gas boilers and large hot water cylinders.
