The problem with buying a new boiler is that the cost doesn’t end there. It needs to be fitted and connected up to the pipework in the house, and depending on what kind of changes are involved, the installation cost could add between £600 and £1600 in addition to the boiler.
This leaves some people, who may be handy with the tools, to think about trying to install a boiler themselves. After all, it just needs to be connected to the pipes right? Well, there’s more to it than that. If not fitted properly and tested, the consequences can be fatal.
Can I install a boiler myself?
It is illegal to install a boiler yourself if you are not correctly qualified. A gas boiler must be fitted by a gas safe registered engineer who has a valid up to date certificate and registration card. Water pipes and radiators can be fitted by yourself or a plumber but work related to gas including the gas pipe must only be done by someone suitably qualified and registered.
There are different qualifications of gas engineers so the one installing your boiler has to be qualified to do so. This can all be checked on the ID card they should carry. Even checking a gas boiler for safety cannot be done by just anyone, even if they used to be qualified but their certification has run out.
But there are other things to think about too.
Check the engineer is on the Gas Safe register
Gas appliances need to be properly fitted, repaired and maintained by competent and registered engineers. The gas safe register will confirm whether an engineer is on the list or which registered engineers are in your area. It will also confirm what type of gas work they are qualified to do as you need different certificates for each one.
Check the register here.
Boiler not registered with gas safe
The gas engineer installing a new boiler should notify the local authority within 30 days of the install. Most will do it within a couple of days via the gas safe register engineer’s website. You should check with the installer they have done this. The local authority then issues a building regulations compliance certificate.
If the registration hasn’t been done at all and the installer can’t or won’t do it, you can contact another company to check and notify the boiler for you. It’s important the boiler is registered because if you come to sell your house, you will need to provide a copy of the certificate to the new owner.
Why you shouldn’t install a boiler yourself
A few reasons why you shouldn’t install a boiler yourself: If you are not gas safe registered, you are not allowed to install a gas boiler; It will be difficult to get a building regulations compliance certificate; your boiler warranty could be invalidated; It could end up costing you more if things go wrong with the installation.
Penalties for illegal gas work
Due to the serious nature of the industry, gas appliances that are not properly installed carry a very real risk of fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks and explosions. So the penalties for proven illegal gas work are also heavy, especially if you are advertising your services. These include fines, community service orders and even prison sentences.
Can a plumber install a boiler?
Even though a boiler’s job is heating water and plumbers deal with water pipes every day, they are not legally allowed to work within a gas boiler, whether to install or service, unless they are qualified as gas safe to do so. Some plumbers are qualified and this can be checked on the gas safe register.
Plumbers will still work on the central heating system water pipes and radiators but when it comes to working on the final water connection to the boiler and the boiler itself, they need to be suitably qualified.
If you are looking for a new boiler and want to pay it off in installments, Warmzilla may be just the company for you. Click the banner below for more info.
*The information in this article should be used for general guidance only and not as financial advice. Full details are on the link in the footer to our disclaimer page. Always discuss your requirements with a competent and suitably qualified professional before undertaking any work.
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