Boiler relocation is a great idea. You'll free up some space and have much more room for activities... or storage. Whatever you want really.
Most boilers are fitted in the kitchen. Which, when you think about it, isn't the best use of space. But as long as you have a modern condensing boiler then you can move your boiler into a bathroom, loft or even a bedroom. The choice is yours. Moving a boiler cost is something homeowners should consider alongside choosing a new place for their boiler.
Boiler relocation isn't a decision you should make lightly though as costs can reach £800 to £2,800 with most jobs taking 2-4 days to finish. So let's find out if moving your boiler is worth it.
Yet even if you're sure about the prices, finding a reliable installer is quite a chore. Searching for the best engineer and prices might stretch for hours, days, or weeks. That's ok if you have that much time to spare, but what if not? Do you want to spend your whole weekend searching for installers instead of having quality family time?
Thankfully, Boiler Guide is here to help you avoid unnecessary stress. Fill out our 30-second form and we'll connect you with up to 3 heating engineers near you. Compare the boiler quotes with no obligations to place any orders and pick the one that best suits you. Our service is free and non-binding, just click below to begin.
Let's say your boiler is tucked away in a kitchen cupboard. Wouldn't you rather that cupboard could be used for storage? That would certainly help when it comes to packing away the weekly food shop!
While modern boilers are pretty quiet they're not silent. So if you spend a lot of time in the same room as your boiler, moving it elsewhere could give you some more peace.
Therefore, there are several motivations that lead homeowners to consider boiler relocation:
Convenience: It might currently occupy excessive space in a kitchen cupboard or be situated in a bedroom, causing disruptive noise during nighttime.
Renovations: When planning a home renovation, boiler relocation might become necessary to accommodate the proposed changes. For example, if constructing an extension or conservatory in the boiler’s current outdoor location, relocation may be required.
Aesthetics: Some individuals dislike how the boiler looks in its present position and prefer to have it situated elsewhere.
Functionality: Issues arising from the boiler’s current location, such as freezing pipes or disturbing noise that affects sleep, can prompt homeowners to consider moving it to a new location.
Plus, depending on the layout of your home, relocating the boiler could mean you get hot water faster, especially if you have a combi boiler.
What's the cost of moving a boiler?
On average, moving a boiler costs £800 to £2,800. But these figures aren't set in stone as there's plenty that can increase the cost of a new boiler. As you might expect, the more complex the move the more expensive it will be.
Here's the cost of relocating a boiler that you'll need to remember.
Materials
Average cost
Boiler flue
£70 – £120
Extension flue pipe/flue bends
£40 per metre
Magnetic filter
£100 – £120
Controls
£70 – £650
Pipework & fittings
£300 – £600
Moving an older boiler to a new location is the most expensive option. So if you're planning to move a boiler that was installed 8+ years ago, consider a new boiler installation at the same time.. Upgrading will make your heating system more efficient, reliable and safer.
Moving a boiler by only a few feet will be considerably cheaper than relocating it to the other side of the house because of the extra materials needed and the engineer’s labour.
The further the boiler is moving, the more copper pipework will be needed
Additional flues or extensions may be needed e.g. if the boiler flue is currently coming out the side of a wall horizontally and you’re moving it to the loft you will need a vertical flue instead.
Floorboards may need to be lifted and relaid
It may be necessary to drill through and then patch holes in walls for the pipework
A powerflush is a recommended part of moving a boiler. This will clear any dirt and debris from the heating system to allow it to run more efficiently.
Comparing multiple local quotes guarantees the best boiler relocation deal since local installers charge less for the supply and delivery, amounting to less overall relocation costs. What's more, with multiple quotes, you can objectively compare to choose the best deal and make sure that you don't overpay. Just click the button below to get started.
In theory, a boiler can be installed in many locations around the home:
Airing cupboard
Loft
Bathroom
Bedroom
Garage
Kitchen
Utility room
A combi boiler can be fitted in any of these locations or moved by just a few feet.
But moving a system or conventional boiler can be more restrictive. That's because they have external parts in addition to the boiler itself. Both need a hot water storage cylinder which stores hot water for your taps. This large cylinder is often kept in an airing cupboard. A conventional boiler also needs a feed and expansion tank in the loft, above the boiler.
Let's take a look at some of the pros and cons of installing a boiler in each of these locations.
Airing cupboard
The airing cupboard tends to be where the hot water cylinder is installed as part of a central heating system with a conventional or system boiler. This is because the heat that comes off the cylinder can keep your laundry dry.
However, many people are choosing to move their hot water cylinder to a basement or loft. If it's possible to do this in your home then it may also be possible to move the boiler into the airing cupboard. Be sure to keep in mind that the hot water cylinder must be well supported as it will be very heavy when full.
Loft
Moving the boiler completely out of sight is a high priority for many when moving a boiler and many decide to move a boiler to a loft. However, it might not be as straightforward as you would hope.
First of all, if you have a conventional boiler, a loft installation is unlikely to be possible as they rely on gravity to feed water from tanks in the loft down to the boiler - something that can't be done if they're at the same level.
The boiler also needs to be easy for a heating engineer to access for servicing and any maintenance. Which might mean having to have some additional work done to your loft to get it up to standard. The loft will need to be easily accessible, well-lit, and have safe flooring.
Any boiler in a loft will need a vertical flue. So depending on the height of the roof, you may also need a roofer and scaffolding too.
Additionally, in the event of your boiler leaking, the water will drop downwards and could cause damage to other floors of your home.
Bathroom
One of the concerns around having a boiler in a bathroom is the combination of having an electrical appliance in a wet room. It is very much possible as long as the installation meets certain regulations that ensure the boiler is unlikely to get wet, can be accessed by a heating engineer and has suitable ventilation.
Typically, a boiler in a bathroom will need to be installed within a cupboard and a certain distance away from taps, showers and baths. Also, a boiler in a bathroom must be room sealed.
No matter where the boiler is being installed, it must be in a position where the flue meets Boiler Flue Regulations so that it can safely expel waste gases out of the home. A correctly flued appliance is one of the most important points of any boiler installation.
Bedroom
You can install a gas boiler in a bedroom as long as the boiler is ‘room sealed’ - this means that it takes air in from the outside and expels it outside, so no fumes enter the home.
Some homeowners are reluctant to install a boiler in a bedroom because of safety concerns. In reality, it's perfectly safe to operate modern room-sealed boilers in a bedroom provided they have been installed correctly by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Of course, any faulty boiler can leak carbon monoxide. A carbon monoxide leak is potentially fatal so regular servicing and a carbon monoxide detector are recommended no matter where you install your boiler.
Before you settle on installing the boiler in a bedroom, it’s worth considering that even modern boilers make some noise when operating which isn’t ideal in a room where people are sleeping.
Garage
The main concern with installing a boiler in a garage is the risk of freezing during the winter months.
During freezing temperatures, the water within a boiler can be susceptible to freezing. For this reason, it's recommended to install a boiler with frost protection heating which will keep the water above a certain temperature. In addition, you should also have the pipes insulated with lagging.
The kitchen is one of the more conventional locations for boiler installation. While they can often be hidden away in a cupboard or under a unit, this does mean that some kitchen storage space is lost.
There must be enough space for ventilation, and you need to leave at least 50mm of space between the boiler and the cupboard. The area around the boiler must be free of flammable materials, so make sure your boiler isn’t located anywhere near the stove or kitchen appliances.
Utility room
For homes that have a utility room, it's the ideal area for keeping the boiler out of the way to save space elsewhere around the property. However, before relocating your boiler to the utility room, ensure that there is enough space and the necessary support for hot water there.
Remember to consult a professional boiler engineer to make sure you’ll be relocating your boiler to a safe spot. An experienced installer will calculate the estimated time and price for your specific situation.
You can consider boiler relocation to a new spot but you'll need to think about whether it makes sense.
If your existing boiler was fitted less than 3 years ago, then we don't recommend moving your boiler. But that's not to say it can't be done.
However, if your boiler will need replacing soon then get a new boiler. Otherwise, the cost of relocating a boiler will be followed by spendings on its replacement which isn't the wisest financial decision.
New energy-efficient boilers are available for as little as £750 (without installation) and include lengthy warranties. This becomes even more attractive when you consider that a new boiler could reduce energy bills by as much as £630 per year*. So a new boiler could pay for itself in a few years.
*Possible savings when replacing an old gas boiler with a condensing A-rated boiler with thermostatic radiator controls, programmer and room thermostat in a detached home. (Energy Saving Trust, July 2023).
Also, if your new boiler is no longer manufactured then it could be hard for the installer to find flue parts - or any parts for that matter! If this is the case then you may have to rule out moving the boiler.
The best way to find out the boiler relocation cost is to google something like “heating engineer near me.” Yet looking for one can cost you the valuable time you could be spending with your family instead. Moreover, even after hours or days of browsing and reaching out to installers, you can still be left with no actionable information on your hands.
Thankfully, Boiler Guide can help you avoid all the stressful searches. Simply fill in our 30-second form and we'll connect you with up to 3 boiler installers in your area. Compare their quotes with no pressure to accept any offers. Our service is completely free of charge. Click below to begin!
A straightforward like-for-like boiler replacement can be done within a day. Moving a boiler to a new location can add an extra day to the work.
Should the new location be on the other side of the house then this will add to the time. That's because the heating engineer will need to add to and possibly reroute the pipework.
Moving a boiler regulations
The first hurdle to get over is whether moving your boiler is even possible. Nine times out of ten, moving a boiler can be done but it all comes down to whether the works meets the HSE's Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
If your boiler can be moved, there are a few things to keep in mind:
The pipework might run through a wall or a ceiling in case your floors are made of concrete or tiles
Your boiler needs to be kept away from windows or doors to meet the minimum flue clearance requirements
Your carpets or floorboards might need to be lifted or relayed.
Water heating might take longer if you decide to move the boiler farther away from the taps.
Provide a waste pipe leading to a drain if you relocate a condensing boiler.
The pipes need to remain visible in case you have hard floorings like concrete, stone or tiles
Scaffolding might be required if you want to move a boiler to a loft.
Boiler relocation to a loft must meet safety regulations such as adequate lighting, a walkway, and easy accessibility.
For boiler relocation to a garage or outhouse, frost protection and insulated pipes must be ensured.
IMPORTANT: Wherever you move your boiler, make sure it is still accessible for future servicing or repairs.
Get free quotes for moving a boiler
Planning to move your boiler or get a new one? Then you'll need a Gas Safe registered engineer for the planning and installation.
To find the best person for the job, we highly recommend comparing quotes. This will also give you the confidence that you're getting the most competitive price.
Rather than going on the hunt for local installers yourself, let us take care of that for you. Simply complete our online boiler quotes form and you'll have up to 3 installers getting in touch to give you a quote in no time. Compare these quotes with no pressure to place any orders. Click below to get started.
As a rule, you don't need permission to move a boiler. However, moving a boiler requires a Gas Safe engineer with relevant expertise and permission to work with gas appliances.
Is it a big job to move a combi boiler?
Moving a combi boiler can be a big job depending on the location and the pipework. When replacing a boiler in its original position, the job should typically be completed within one day. However, if a new boiler is installed in a different location, the task is expected to take approximately one and a half to two days.
How easy is it to move a boiler?
The complexity of the task varies based on the specific site and the pipework involved. Relocating a boiler necessitates moving the associated pipework, more time and labour.
What is the cost of moving a boiler from upstairs to downstairs?
The cost of moving a boiler from upstairs to downstairs can range from £800 to £2,800 on average. Moving a boiler to the loft or attic will mean an installation price of around £600.
About the author
Becky Mckay
Becky has been a writer at Boiler Guide since 2021. Her vast boiler knowledge means she’s ready to help with any home heating query, big or small!
This article has been checked and approved by a Gas Safe
registered engineer.
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