Can I get anyone to install my new gas boiler?
To install a condensing gas-fired boiler, the installers you employ must be Gas Safe, CORGI registered (Council for Registered Gas Installers) , this is a safety and legal requirement. With the new gas regulations you should also ensure that they are also capable of installing condensing boilers.
What boiler installer options are there?
The Heating and Hot Water Council advises that there are 1.5 million gas boilers sold each year in the UK which are installed by some 100,000 CORGI registered installers. The UK market is typically very fragmented with “the one-off installer … running his own business in an individualistic way”. Fortunately there is a major national installer, npower that has its own engineering workforce of trained plumbers and electricians that can help you.
The choice falling to a householder is whether to select a national company or to contract a local installer. The table below reflects the Heating and Hot Water Council market analysis for the government in response to the recent energy white paper.
| Central Heating Installation Options Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Service | Local Installers | npower |
| Specialist Installation Engineers | Can be, but often generalists covering plumbing, gas fitting and heating. | Yes |
| CORGI Gas Safe registered | Yes but check qualifications to avoid rogue traders | Yes |
| Public liability insurance to cover accidents | Yes but check cover for certainty | Yes |
| Cover available to service and repair your system 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year | No | Yes |
Local boiler installers
If you decide you want to find a local installer to fit a boiler you must ensure that they are Gas Safe (previously CORGI) registered. They must also hold the correct qualifications to do the type of work you need to be completed. Make sure that your installer shows you their CORGI ID card before they start any work in your home – your safety depends upon this. If you have any doubts you can use the CORGI check an installer service to confirm the validity of the ID card or contact CORGI on 0870 401 2300. All CORGI installers will be required to sign up to the CORGI membership standards.
npower Installation Engineers
Following on from the checks their Home Energy Consultant has made, npower will send out one of their Installation Experts or an installation team to install your new boiler as quickly as possible.
The Installation Engineers are highly trained professionals who not only know how to expertly install your system but also how to treat your home whilst they are a visitor.
So, what can you expect from an npower Installation Engineer?
- He/She will telephone before arrival to confirm your appointment
- He/She will install your new/ replacement boiler
- There is nothing worse than being cold in your own home so they will bring a heater with you to keep you warm if its chilly outside
- He/She will ensure minimum disruption, bringing their own dust sheets and by cleaning up throughout the installation, taking all their rubbish away with them including your old boiler if you want
- He/She will explain how to use your new boiler in plain English, and go through any instructions you’re not sure about answering any questions you may have
- He/She will check your boiler is working and carry out any safety checks
- Finally, he/she will confirm you’re completely happy with the service and installation before leaving
Arrange for your boiler to be professionally installed
A npower Home Energy Consultant can visit your home to assess which type of boiler is right for you and to provide you with a firm quotation for a new boiler installation in their sale.