Boiler location dilemma

[PantsandBoots]

We recently purchased a property and as part of the refurb, we are getting a new boiler.

We called in a established heating company and they want to put the boiler in the loft.

However, our builder is dead against it citing leaks, accessibility issues and inconvenience if we wanted to do a loft conversion. Builder is suggesting putting it in the garage.

Both are adamant that they are right.
Any words of wisdom gratefully received.

Ps. The old boiler in the kitchen has been removed and we are not planning to put it back as we need the cupboard space.

PigletJohn - what do you think?

I cannot imagine having to go to the loft to check it. also does this mean hot water in kitchen has to come in at ground level go up to loft boiler to heat and then come all the way back down........

Garage would make it much easier to access

Ours is in the bathroom which has the advantage that the pipes to the radiators go under the tiles to the radiators in the bedrooms which make the floor toasty warm.

We have ours in the loft - been there nearly 10 years now. It's fine - we have a valve in a bedroom wardrobe to top the boiler up if it loses pressure so have only had to go up in the loft for an actual repair just once in all that time

You have to have a decent loft ladder installed and a proper walkway to the boiler location

My only regret is not moving the loft access hatch closer to the boiler so don't have to cross from one side of the loft to the other to access it

Obviously garage location is also fine depending where the flue is going to go - if it's discrete then maybe that's preferable?

Which is more likely in the future? Garage conversion or loft?

Can't comment on the loft idea (doesn't sound ideal) but we've put the boiler in the garage in the last two houses. Along with the washing machine and tumble drier. Planning to add a water softener in there too....

We’ve had both in different houses. In our last house we moved the boiler to the garage from the kitchen. The modern generation of boilers meant that there was no heat loss from the boiler into the garage. The pipe work was super lagged.
We now have an older cottage and had to have the CH completely re installed, the ancient boiler was in a bedroom cupboard and condemned! As the kitchen was newly fitted the only place for the boiler was the loft. In addition to the boiler there had to be some safety rails around the hatch and a certain amount of boarding.
It never been a problem, in fact I don’t often think about it. As regards the pressure, it’s regulated during the annual service and has never needed any further attention.

We were told (by a boiler engineer when ours developed a fault under guarantee) that ours shouldn't have been in the loft and he would have been within his rights not to repair it.

Boilers can be in the loft, not sure why an engineer would say they can't be. There are requirements around lift ladders, boarding, rails etc, maybe he meant that yours didn't comply.

Just had ours fitted in the garage. I'd find it a pain in the loft.

But I think it depends on the boiler and heating system that is being installed. There was lots of chat between our builder and plumber about vented v unvented and hot water tank etc that I didn't really understand. Sounds like you might need a second opinion from another independent plumber (maybe one that your builder knows)

The problem with it being in the loft is access. If you get it serviced every year, pressure, leaks etc. I'd opt for garage.
I'm buying a house and it is in the loft, which I am extending, so I'm putting the boiler in the utility room (which will be in the loft).

There are different building regulations for boilers in lofts and garages. In the loft it must have easy access, good lighting and floorboarding.

Why have you only asked ONE heating company?

ALWAYS get at least 2 ideally 3 quotes so you can compare not just prices, but also suggestions.