Boiler schemes and what to look for

The latest boiler cashback scheme has been unveiled and Rightio's gas safe engineer reveals the top five things to look for when looking for a new boiler.

Call 0800 068 7245

Kitchen with Boiler Cupboards Washing Machine and Door Open to Another Room

The latest in a series of new boiler cashback schemes for landlords has recently been unveiled by London Mayor, Boris Johnson. The London Boiler Cashback Scheme allows eligible property owners to get £400 cashback towards a new gas boiler, helps them to take a fresh look at their energy savings and reduce the risk of inconvenient breakdowns, while also taking the headache and cost out of repairing old boilers.

The scheme is open on a first-come, first-served basis to property owners in the capital only, but the benefits of replacing an inefficient boiler are increasingly vital for landlords across the country that are looking to maximise their property yields.

However with so many varieties and brands to choose from, finding the right boiler can be confusing and time-consuming. Here Paul Thomas, a gas and heating engineer from national home service and repair firm Rightio, lends his 16 years' experience to landlords and reveals the top five things to look for when on the hunt for a new boiler.

Match the boiler to the usage

Carefully consider what your boiler will be used for. If your property has multiple showers, sinks, baths and lots of radiators, you will need a bigger boiler that can keep up with the demand. It's also worth considering where the boiler will be placed within the property. Modern combination boilers take up less room than heat-only boilers which are connected to a hot water storage system. All modern condensing boilers produce steam plumes from the flue, so you may wish to consider how this steam may affect your tenants or your neighbours' properties.

'A' is for efficient

Particularly pertinent for landlords who offer an"all-in"monthly rental fee, bear in mind that heating costs make up about 60% of the average home's energy bills, so it's important to get the most efficient boiler possible - don't settle for anything less than an A-rated boiler, which offers over 90% efficiency. One of the conditions of the new London scheme is that old G-rated boilers are replaced with a modern A-rated one. This change alone could deliver a saving of up to £340 a year on energy bills, according to the Energy Savings Trust.

Look out for deals/grants

A new boiler is always a carefully considered investment. Be on the look-out for any schemes or grants that might supplement the cost, like the London Boiler Cashback Scheme or government ECO grants for tenants on low incomes. Schemes like this are not limited to the capital and have appeared in other cities including Manchester and Milton Keynes, so it's worth keeping an eye on your local area to see if you have any options available. Some boiler manufacturers like Worcester Bosch offer an additional £100 on top of a deal if you choose their brand, helping to make additional savings.

Don't cut corners on the make

You get what you pay for with boilers! Brands like Worcester Bosch are definitely worth the investment; they have exceptional reliability and are hugely fuel efficient, so will help you avoid expensive repairs and will save your tenants a fortune in gas bills. Other boiler manufacturers to consider include Vaillant and Ideal. It's also important to find accredited installers too; home repair and service provider Rightio is Worcester Bosch accredited, which means we can get customers a better deal on a new boiler, including up to 10-years warranty with an annual service.

Use Gas Safe registered engineers

Always use a competent Gas Safe registered engineer to install a new boiler. I've been a gas and heating engineer for 16 years now and I'm always shocked to hear about unregistered and unqualified rogue traders installing unsafe boilers in properties.

Also, as a landlord you have a legal obligation to provide your tenants with a safe living environment - choose a reputable firm and ask them to provide local references. And don't forget to see what else is included in the quote, such as system flushes and servicing; for example, at Rightio, we include the first year's comprehensive annual service and carry out a follow-up fuel efficiency and safety evaluation within the first month of installation.