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With homebuyer costs amounting before even purchasing a property, running several checks on the boiler could help save you thousands in the long run, increase energy efficiency and future proof your home-to-be.
When buying your first home, the last thing you’d want once you’ve settled in, particularly if you’ve moved during the winter, is to have an unexpected problem and inconvenience of a costly heating system failure.
When viewing a home, there are several ways first-time buyers can assess the condition of the heating system to understand if a boiler is working efficiently and whether it needs replacing.
When looking around, you may be able to spot what type of boiler has been installed. If you’re viewing a newly built property, it could have a heat pump system.
You will also need to check the age of the heating system that is already in place. Is it new or a replacement? A boiler systems typically last 15 years depending on how well it is maintained.
If you're unsure about the boilers condition, ask for the Building Regulations certificate as proof from the current owner. If there is no certificate, bear in mind it could cause future issues and extra costs.
The Government plans to outlaw gas boilers in newly built homes by 2027, so heat pumps will be more common in most new build properties.
There are three types of heat pumps:
Gas boilers are often positioned in the kitchen or airing cupboard, but can be fitted in other living areas of the home, and also lofts and garages.
There are three types of systems commonly installed in UK homes:
Since there’s no legal obligation for a boiler to be serviced before selling a property, ask the seller for the last 12 months’ gas safety certificate and boiler maintenance records.
Much like a car, a well-serviced boiler will ensure it runs safely and reduce the risk of unexpected costs in the future. A boiler service will assess the safety of the product and any potential concerns that need repairing to prevent further problems from arising.
Annual services apply to heat pumps too. This is undertaken by a qualified MCS heating engineer. Similar to gas boilers, the engineer will also provide certification to verify the check. It’s best to service a heat pump during the summer months, to ensure that the system works at its optimum efficiency in the winter when the temperature drops.
If a gas safety certificate or service record isn’t available, we would recommend booking a heating engineer to inspect the system or asking the homeowner to get the boiler serviced. This usually costs between £70-120 depending on the provider.
Heat pump services start from £190 including VAT and are important to ensure the validity of the guarantee. All Vaillant heat pumps come with a standard guarantee of two years.
Leaks, damp patches and corrosion are warning signs that the boiler needs replacing. If the boiler is poorly maintained or it hasn’t been serviced for a long time, could burn inefficiently and exceed acceptable combustion limit and could risk giving off carbon monoxide fumes.
Guarantees are usually valid for between two and 10 years and help cover costs for potential repairs of your boiler or heat pump within this time fame. The seller should be able to provide information about the guarantee and how long is left.
Inefficient energy systems can cost more in the long run. Most new modern gas boilers are 'A' rated and are at least 92% efficient. If the system is older or less efficient, consider budgeting for an upgrade - whether that means replacing the existing gas boiler or installing a more energy efficient heating solution, such as a heat pump.
If the heating is on while you’re viewing the house, if you’re able to, feel the radiator for cold spots. Cold spots at the bottom could indicate that dirt or sludge has built up in the radiator, meaning the water can’t flow around the radiator efficiently to heat it. If the cold spots are at the top, it can indicate an air blockage which can mean there is a leak, meaning the water can’t flow around the radiator efficiently to heat it.
Look out for corrosion around the pipes, leaks (water damage on the floor or surrounding walls), and whether they’re fitted with Thermostatic radiator valves (TRV) (which can help reduce energy costs).
If you’re ever unsure about checking the central heating system when viewing a home, for further peace of mind, we always advise you to seek a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer to assess the boiler.
