Where to site new boiler?

[MrsFezziwig]

I am about to embark on extensive renovations, which include the installation of a new heating system and new combi boiler. The current combi boiler is in the loft. To access it I have a proper loft ladder and partial boarding. I am perfectly able to access the loft currently, but given that I am no spring chicken I am considering the future when I may not find it so easy, so have asked my builder to resite the new boiler in the utility room (ground floor). He is reluctant to do this, saying that it is better for the boiler to be out of the way in the loft. He has said he will install a valve downstairs so that when the system needs topping up I can do this from the ground floor, and that any other malfunction would need the attention of a plumber so I wouldn’t need to go up into the loft anyway.

What are people’s opinions on this?

I think the Utility Room on the ground floor is probably best. I suppose there would be some work and disturbance in altering the pipe work for the new boiler position.

Surely when you refill the system you need to see the gauge so you don't over fill the system?

I agree with zzz, your house your decision. Personally I’d rather have the boiler in the loft. However in your case I totally understand why you’d want it moved, and for the reason you stated I would move it to utility. I also don’t like pushy tradesmen, so that would put me off him!!

He is reluctant to do this, saying that it is better for the boiler to be out of the way in the loft.

I think the "reluctant" bit is true and the rest is flannel.

Have you got a gas pipe and an internal drain in the Ute?

It will blow out steam in winter so try not to have the flue beneath or beside a window you or your neighbours like to look out of. I think if it is next to a corner, the swirling wind helps disperse it.

btw you need it moved/installed by a Gas Safe engineer, not by a builder.

There can be additional cost to moving it if pipes need to be altered and you need to make sure if it’s moved that there is a suitable place for the flue.
If it’s in the loft at the moment you most likely have a vertical flue going through the roof. If it’s going on the ground floor then the flue needs to exit via an external wall and there are regulations about the height and how close to a window or door it is.
Make sure you’re dealing with someone who is gas safe registered.

Makes MUCH more sense to put it in the utility room rather than the loft, although this will add to your costs depending on what work you were having done anyway.

I would employ a qualified plumber. Move the boiler out of the loft, and into the utility room, can it be vented into an outside wall ?
It sounds like your builder, doesn't want the hassle, so go down the correct route.

PigletJohn thanks for reminding me about the steam from the flue.

The builder works in conjunction with a qualified plumber so I’m not worried about the safety aspect of it, it’s just I have only currently spoken to the chap in overall charge.

@Herewegoagain01 why do you prefer the loft for the boiler?

I feel I may have painted the builder as a bit of a villain, he’s not really but he has the usual attitude that he knows best (which he may do, of course - I’ve not much experience in renovating!). He also knows that I want to keep the costs down so presumably utilising the existing pipe work would help with this. Mulling over Pigletjohn’s remarks about the flue, it may be that I will struggle to site it somewhere which isn’t an annoyance to me (my neighbour is unlikely to be affected by it).

Thanks everyone for your very helpful advice! This is probably only the first of many threads in the next few months!

in my house (coastal) the prevailing wind comes from the SW so I took care to have the boiler on the N wall at the W end of it, so the wind blowing round the corner causes turbulence to dissipate the plume.

I have some neighbours who put theirs in the pull-in between two houses with the garage blocking off the end, this makes a sort of sheltered alcove which on frosty morning is full of a cloud of steam. The flue can be extended with a sort of chimney, and a nozzle put on the end to direct the steam in a convenient direction. But the whole flue has to be accessible for inspection and possibly maintenance (so not poked up the inside of an old chimney, though this is permitted in some countries).

Water also drips out of boiler flues. I put a large hanging basket on the wall under mine to catch it. There may be better ideas. It is slightly acidic so it attacks concrete.

Ours is in the garage which I personally would always choose from now on as it doesn't impact on us having work done (had It replaced last year) and doesn't take up valuable space in the kitchen.

I personally would avoid the loft as does seem a lot of work to get to it.

You do what works for you best going forwards.

I thought that all new boilers now need to have a condensing pipe.
Where would that go if your boiler I in the loft?
I remember a lot of people had problems with their condensing pipes freezing last winter and had to pour hot water over them to defrost them. Not going to be easy if your boiler is in the loft I would have thought.

Unfortunately putting the boiler in the utility room will give rise to the exact scenario PigletJohn has described, so I’m going off the idea a bit. I’ve also had a look at the regs re positioning relative to doors & windows, and again that would be problematic.

In my last house the boiler was in the garage with the flue to the back so that was great, but now I have a separate garage with no services to it so that won’t work.

Yellow the boiler is currently against the front wall (on the inside, of course) and the flue comes out onto the front facade of the house. Other than the outlet collar the flue must therefore all be in the loft (and relatively short), and I certainly didn’t have any issues with it last winter. I can’t even complain about the outlet being unsightly either as I’ve just had to actually go outside to check where it was and I’ve been in the house for over a year!

my ndn had their new boiler outside.

Our boiler is in the airing cupboard on the landing, with the flue going up into the loft through to the roof.

Check about the condensing pipe....you will need a nearby drain for this. (And frost proof protection in the winter - very important!)