1. Do I Need a New Boiler?

You’re probably here because you’re thinking about getting a new boiler fitted — and that could be for a few reasons.

Maybe your boiler’s old and starting to make strange noises, constantly losing pressure, or needing to be topped up every few days. You might’ve noticed the hot water is becoming intermittent or struggling to heat properly. It could just look worn out and dated — or you’re simply fed up with how inefficient it is.

Maybe you’re extending your home and need more heating power. Or you want to upgrade from a combi boiler to a system boiler to cope with higher hot water demand. Maybe you’ve never had proper central heating and now want to get a full system put in.

Or maybe you just want to get ahead of a breakdown and replace the boiler before it gives up completely.

In case you’re thinking of going green instead of replacing your boiler with gas, we also offer air source heat pump installations — check out our full ASHP blog here to see if it’s right for your home.

2. How Old Is Too Old for a Boiler?

Boilers usually last anywhere between 10 to 15 years, but we’ve seen plenty still going strong after 20. It depends on the brand, the model, how it’s been used, and how well the system’s been looked after.

There’s no exact cut-off — it’s more about the condition than the age. Most of the time, it comes down to whether it’s worth repairing when something goes wrong.

If your boiler’s near the 15-year mark and repairs are getting costly — or parts are hard to find — that’s usually when we recommend looking at a replacement.

One thing to note:

Some people get misled into thinking there are no parts available for older boilers. That’s often not true. Most parts can still be sourced, but they may be pricey — and at a certain point, it’s just not worth throwing more money at an ageing system.

3. How Much Does a Boiler Installation Cost in Leeds (2025)?

Boiler installation costs vary depending on a few factors.
Will the new boiler be installed in the same place with the same kW output?

The cheapest option is usually when replacing an old condensing boiler with a new one of the same heat output, same brand, in the same location — especially if the previous boiler was installed to regs.

For example, swapping an Ideal Logic for another Ideal Logic, same place, same output — that’s usually as straightforward as it gets.

But if you’re going for a higher output boiler, the gas pipe will more likely need upgrading. In most cases, we find the existing gas pipe is already borderline undersized.

• Expect to pay from £1,800 for a straightforward combi swap in the same place.
• If you’re moving the boiler to a different location, the job involves more work — running new pipes, flue, wiring, etc. This usually takes 2–3 days and costs from £2,500.
• When replacing your combi boiler with a system boiler (or changing from heat-only to combi), the pipework needs altering — rerouting flow and return pipework. This is also a 2–3 day job, and depending on what’s involved, expect prices from £2,800.

It also depends on the installer — whether it’s a small local company or a big national firm.

We always give a clear, fixed price after seeing the job properly — no guesswork, no hidden extras.

4. Which Boiler Is Best for My Home?

For most standard homes with one or two bathrooms, a combi boiler will usually be suitable.

For example, a 24kW combi boiler is often enough for a 3-bed house with one bathroom — even if it’s not well insulated. The actual heat demand for most homes is around 10kW or less (based on data from the national Energy Saving Trust and real-world heat loss figures), so it’s more about the hot water flow rate than the heating load.

Most customers prefer more hot water flow, so they often choose a 30kW combi boiler. These give stronger flow rates and better performance on showers and taps.
We’ve got a full blog comparing the best 30kW boilers — [link here].

If your home has more than two bathrooms, and they might be used at the same time, then a system boiler (with a hot water cylinder) or a heat-only boiler will be another choice.

Not sure whether you need a combi or a cylinder setup? This guide breaks it down.

Heat-only boilers aren’t usually installed in new systems — they’re mainly used as like-for-like replacements in older setups.

Quick tip:.

A high-output combi might give you 12 litres per minute of hot water — but if your mains can’t deliver that, there’s no point paying extra for it.
So it’s always worth getting your mains flow rate checked before choosing your boiler size — it helps make the right decision.

5. What’s Included in a Boiler Installation?

Here’s what’s normally included in a proper boiler installation:

• Removing and decommissioning the old boiler
• Installing the new boiler
• Fitting the flue and termination
• Altering pipework where needed
• Adding a magnetic filter and any other required extras (like an inline descaler or pressure-reducing valve)
• System flush — this could be a chemical cleanse, a quick powerflush, or a full powerflush depending on the condition of the system
• Wiring in the boiler and thermostat
• Refilling the system, bleeding radiators, and adding corrosion inhibitor (and sometimes biocide, especially for low-temperature systems)
• Balancing the radiators
• Full commissioning and testing of the new boiler
• Registration of the warranty and Building Regulations certificate
• Demonstration and explanation of how to use the boiler and controls properly
•  

Our take on system flushing:

Chemical cleans are often just a tick-box exercise on paper. On older systems, a quick powerflush or full powerflush is usually the better option. Without proper high flow through the system, you can’t shift built-up sludge or sediment sitting in the radiators. A proper flush helps extend the boiler’s lifespan and improves heating efficiency.

Be wary: the job may not have been done properly or was rushed

If the engineer doesn’t take the time to explain how your boiler and controls work — or help set up the heating system — there’s a good chance they did the job in a way that let them get out the door as quickly as possible.
That’s not how the job should be left.

6. How Long Does Installation Take?

We believe a boiler job shouldn’t be a race against the clock — it should be done right, with care.
So these timeframes reflect the minimum time needed to do the job properly.

Installations are usually carried out by one engineer, or sometimes a two-man team with a plumber’s mate helping.
Expect it to take longer if the job is done by one person. Most boilers are installed in tight spaces where only one person can actually work, so even with two people, much of the job still falls on one set of hands.

Conversions, however, are better suited to two people — they involve more pipework, lifting, and time-sensitive tasks.

Here’s a bit more detail:

• A simple like-for-like boiler swap — same brand, same location, minimal pipework (e.g. Ideal Logic to Ideal Logic) — can be done in an easy day, especially if it only needs a system cleanse.
• But in most cases, a proper boiler swap is a long full day — around 10–12 hours — and preferably split over two days if it’s to be done properly and with attention to detail.
• If you’re having a powerflush done as well, expect the job to take 2 days. Yes, we’ve seen it rushed and “done” in one — but let’s be honest, it wasn’t done properly.
• Boiler relocations and system conversions (like heat-only to combi, or combi to system) usually take 2 to 4 days, and sometimes longer if:
  • there are issues rerouting pipework
  • it’s a large system
  • or a full flush is needed
  • a vertical flue is going through the roof — this can add time due to longer flue runs, roof access, and any roofing work needed

7. Do I Need a Powerflush or Magnetic Filter?

We touched on power flushing in the previous section, but here’s a bit more on when it’s needed — and why we recommend it.

We highly recommend a power flush with every new boiler installation — especially on older systems.
Even doing a quick power flush is far better than just a chemical cleanse or Magnacleanse. But ideally, it’s best to carry out a full power flush, especially if your system has old radiators or hasn’t been cleaned properly in years.

Systems over 10–15 years old, or those originally set up as gravity-fed or with microbore pipework, are usually much dirtier inside. These tend to have a lot of built-up sludge and sediment, which can quickly damage a new boiler if not removed.

And it’s not just about protecting the boiler — a power flush can improve the efficiency of the entire heating system.

When sludge is removed from radiators, they start heating evenly again. Sludge usually sits at the bottom of the radiator, keeping part of it cold and reducing its heat output.
Flushing that out helps recover full surface area and improves heating throughout the home.

As for magnetic filters — they’re now mandatory with every install to meet boiler warranty requirements. But more importantly, they help protect the boiler’s moving parts and heat exchanger by catching circulating debris before it reaches the boiler.

A clean system plus a magnetic filter gives your boiler a much better chance of running efficiently and lasting longer.

Want a full breakdown of the different flushing methods and which one is right for your system?
Read our detailed guide: Central Heating Flush Explained: Power Flush, Chemical Flush & Magna Cleanse Compared.

8. Should I Install a Smart Thermostat?

No, you don’t have to install a smart thermostat — but you do need to have a control that meets current regulations.

That usually means a programmable thermostat with load compensation, or something similar.
Smart thermostats are one way to meet that requirement — but they’re not the only option.

If you want to learn more about how smart controls can help improve boiler efficiency, check out our full guide:
[How to Increase Boiler Efficiency with Smart Thermostats]

9. What Warranties Do You Get?

Boiler warranties usually range from 5 to 18 years, depending on the brand, model, and what’s installed with it.

Some manufacturers only offer longer warranties — like 10, 12, or even 18 years — when the boiler is fitted by an accredited installer and with specific components.

To qualify for full warranty cover, most brands require:

• A specific magnetic filter fitted on the system
• Annual servicing to keep it valid
• Proper commissioning with the Benchmark log filled out
• The boiler being registered directly with the manufacturer after installation

We’ll always confirm the exact warranty length when quoting or discussing your needs, so you know exactly what’s covered.

10. Why Choose a Local Leeds Installer Like A Tech Installs?

We’re a small local company based in West Yorkshire, with low overheads and a simple goal:
Do the job properly — not quickly.

We’re proud to take our time and do things right, not rush in and out just to move on to the next job.
We’d rather spend the extra time making sure the work is something we’re proud of, and something you’re happy with.

We keep a friendly approach with every customer, and it’s not unusual that we end up becoming good mates with them over time.
We’re not here chasing big profits like the national firms — we’re here to serve and provide proper, quality work.

We’d take care and pride over rushing and ticking boxes any day — knowledge means nothing if the job’s not done with care.
And we do care — about your home, your boiler, and doing the job right the first time.

And if something ever does go wrong, we’ll be back to sort it.
We don’t run from jobs — we stand by our work, and we’re fully insured for those rare and unlikely accidents too.

11. How to Book or Get a Free Quote

If you’re thinking about a new boiler, the best first step is a proper look at the job.

We offer free quotes and surveys across Leeds and West Yorkshire — no pushy sales, just honest advice.

You can also send us a quick message or give us a ring if you’d rather chat first.
We’re happy to look at photos and give you a rough idea before booking a visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How long does it take to fit a new boiler in Leeds?

A straightforward like-for-like boiler swap can usually be done in one full day, but we often recommend splitting it over two days for a proper, careful job.
Relocations or system conversions typically take 2 to 4 days, especially if a full powerflush or roof flue is involved.

How much does a new boiler cost in 2025?

In 2025, a standard combi boiler replacement in the same location typically costs from £1,800.
Relocations start from £2,500, and system upgrades (like heat-only to combi) start from £2,800, depending on what’s involved.

What’s the difference between a combi and a system boiler?

A combi boiler gives you heating and hot water instantly from one unit — no tank needed.
A system boiler works with a separate hot water cylinder, which stores hot water for use in larger homes with multiple bathrooms.

Do I need a powerflush when fitting a new boiler?

Yes — especially if your system is more than 10 years old or has never been cleaned properly.

A full powerflush helps remove sludge and protects your new boiler from blockages and damage. Most new installs require at least a quick flush to meet manufacturer guidelines.

Do new boilers come with a warranty?

Yes — most new boilers come with a manufacturer’s warranty ranging from 5 to 18 years, depending on the brand and whether it’s fitted by an accredited installer.
To keep it valid, you’ll need annual servicing, a magnetic filter, proper commissioning, and the boiler registered with the manufacturer.

Related Articles

Attila Boruzs
A Tech Installs Ltd
Gas Safe Registered Boiler Installer — Leeds & West Yorkshire