How quickly can a boiler replacement be done?

There are few domestic problems more annoying than having a boiler break down on you. Especially in the depths of winter, they can leave your house freezing cold, damp, and with no way of cleaning yourself or your clothes. 

As a result, it’s natural to want to get the boiler replacement completed as quickly as reasonably possible, but how long does it actually take? Below, we look at how long a range of different kinds of boiler replacements can take, with the answer being anywhere from 4 hours to around a week or two. 

Boilers in the same place: 4-6 hours. 

If the new boiler is being placed in the same location as the old one, and there aren’t any other big changes that need to be made, then the replacement can be finished in as little as 4 to 6 hours. 

This will apply to replacements where other parts of the system can remain the same, and where minimal additional plumbing and pipework installation is required. 

The existing system will need to be drained, disconnected from the thermostat and electricity, with the new boiler being installed where the old one was before. 

Boiler type change: 2-3 days

If you’re changing the type of boiler, it might take a team from somewhere like Able Plumbers a little longer. With a system boiler, you’ll also need to install a cylinder to store water, along with new plumbing. 

If moving to a combi boiler, then the old cylinders and tanks will need to be removed, along with unnecessary pipework. This will need to be cleared, and then tidied up to make the space neat and clean afterwards. 

Changing fuel type can also add a few days, as there will need to be additional plumbing.

Boilers that need to be moved: 3 days-1 week

If the boiler needs to be moved, then it can take a lot longer. If the new boiler is going to be placed near the old boiler, and not too many changes to the plumbing system are required, then it might be possible to complete the job in a few days. 

If, however, it needs to be placed in an entirely different room, it could even take a week or two. It could be necessary to take some of the floorboards up to lay new gas and water pipes, along with a range of other bigger changes that all take a fair bit of time.

There are plenty of other factors that can influence how long the job might take, and ultimately, you’ll need to speak with an engineer who knows your current system to get a more accurate figure. 

Whether your current boiler is broken or you’re just looking to totally renovate your entire heating system with a new boiler, you could be looking at anywhere between a few hours inconvenience to a few weeks of serious work being done. It’s normally best to book this work in before you actually need it, so that you can have it done at a time that’s minimally inconvenient to you.