How Difficult is it to Move a Boiler?

Perhaps your boiler is taking up lots of room, making loud noises at night or is difficult to access. Maybe you’re hoping to switch from a conventional or system boiler to a combi and want to change the existing position.

Whatever your reasons for wanting to relocate your boiler, the job is most certainly doable.

Get a free fixed price quote for a new boiler installed fast! - Find the perfect boiler!

Is Moving a Boiler Practical?

Deciding move your boiler is a big one and it’s worth weighing up the pros and cons beforehand to make sure you’re making the right choice. Some things to consider are:

• Is it optimising storage space?

• Is it easily accessible for both you and an engineer when it requires servicing?

• Can it be reinstalled easily, without causing too much damage to your property?

If you are looking into new boiler costs, you can include the price of the move. For example, system boilers are often moved on installation as the previous location isn't suitable after installing the new system piping.

Why Relocate a Boiler?

There are many reasons why someone might wish to have their boiler moved from one position to another. For example, some homeowners complain that a boiler in their kitchen cupboard takes up too much room that could otherwise be used for important storage. In these cases, they may move their boiler from their kitchen to the loft or in the airing cupboard.

A boiler located in or near to a bedroom could be making lots of noise that keep members of the family awake at night. In this case, they may wish to relocate the boiler to the garage, utility room or kitchen, providing they have enough space available to do so.

Where Can a Boiler Be Moved To?

Where you can relocate your boiler relies heavily on the type of boiler you have or are changing to as system and conventional boilers require significantly more room for hot water cylinders or storage tanks. In contrast, combination boilers are far more compact due to their self-contained components. Below are the most common locations for moving boilers.

The Loft/Attic

Many people prefer to have their boiler completely out of sight, which is why the loft is such a popular location for a boiler to be moved to. However, if you have a conventional boiler, this move is less likely to be possible because they need gravity for the water to travel from the tank to the boiler, and this would not be possible if they were both on the same level within the home.

It is also important to consider the safety and accessibility of your loft, as engineers will need access to fit the boiler and maintain it with servicing over the years. If your loft is not up to standard, it could cost you much more to get it fixed than it costs to move your boiler.

Another factor in your decision is the risk of water damage to all the floors and ceilings below should there ever be a leak or break. Water damage is a huge cost to repair and can also be incredibly dangerous when electricals are involved.

The Kitchen

The kitchen is a popular place to install a boiler as it is ideal for when your boiler is installed near your bedroom but is too noisy at night. The most common place for a boiler in a kitchen is in a cupboard or cabinet, keeping it hidden away from view and acting as an additional measure to reduce the noise.

The Garage

This is also a great location for homeowners who want to keep their boilers quiet and out of sight. However, there is always the risk of your boiler and pipes freezing over during the cold winter months, so it is essential to ensure the temperature is maintained and warm enough to prevent this from happening if you move your boiler to the garage.

The Utility Room

For households that have a utility room, this is an ideal spot for a boiler as it is out of sight, out of earshot and in a safe, easily accessible place that is likely to remain warm enough, reducing the risk of pipes freezing over.

The Airing Cupboard

Relocating your boiler to the airing cupboard limits space for other items but is a great way to free up space elsewhere in your home. If you have a regular or system boiler, this is usually where the hot water cylinder is installed, and it works effectively to heat the airing cupboard to keep your laundry warm and dry. You can still have a combi boiler fitted in your airing cupboard, but it’s worth noting that it won’t keep your laundry warm as they don’t have hot water cylinders.

The Bathroom

Whilst it’s possible to install a boiler in the bathroom, the installation must meet specific regulations to ensure the boiler won’t get wet and has the correct kind of ventilation. This means it must be installed in a cupboard that is a safe enough distance away from taps and showers, as well as following the Boiler Flue Regulations.

The Bedroom

Many homeowners are reluctant to install a boiler in a bedroom due to safety concerns, but as long as the boiler is ‘room-sealed’ (taking air in from outside and expelling it outside) and installed correctly by a gas safe registered engineer, it is perfectly safe to relocate it to your bedroom.

Despite being safe, it is important to note that any boiler can become faulty and leak carbon monoxide, which is potentially fatal. This is why you should have your boiler serviced annually.

Another thing worth mentioning is that a boiler can be noisy, so many people choose to move their boilers away from their bedrooms. If you’re a light sleeper, we would advise against moving your boiler to your bedroom unless you find it necessary, in which case you should opt for one of our exceptionally quiet boilers, such as the Viessmann Vitodens 050-W.

How Long Does it Take to Move a Boiler?

The time it takes to move your boiler depends on several factors, such as the type of boiler you’re having installed, whether you’re relocating an old or new boiler and how far away from the original spot you decide to move it as the further away from the original location, the more pipework you will need laying, driving up the material and labour costs.

A like-for-like combi boiler upgrade will usually take around half a day on top of the time it costs to remove your old boiler and install the new one.

How Much Does Moving a Boiler Cost?

The cost of moving a boiler can range anywhere between £400 to £800 depending on the type of boiler you’re having installed, whether you’re relocating an old or new boiler and how far away from the original spot you decide to move it.

If you’re looking to relocate your boiler just a short distance, e.g. on the same wall, then you should expect to pay around the £400 mark. If you’re looking to move your boiler to a different room or floor and more pipework is required, you will generally be required to pay a higher amount.

At iHeat, we offer same-room boiler relocations for just £400 and relocations to other rooms in your home for just £600, except loft/attics, which are just £800. Get a free fixed quote here.

**There may also be additional costs for parts such as extension pipes, thermostats, flues and additional fixtures. Check out our helpful moving a boiler cost guide.

Get a free fixed price quote for a new boiler installed fast! - Find the perfect boiler!

Get a quote