Boilers typically last for more than ten years, but you could be at the point where you already need to replace your commercial boiler. Whether it’s because your old boiler isn’t working anymore or you’d rather have a newer, upgraded model, commercial boiler installation is a process that requires some planning. While our commercial heating engineers will guide you seamlessly all throughout, it’s still helpful to know what to expect during installation and how to prepare for it.
Preparing for Installation
Before the actual installation of your boiler, a Gas Safe engineer will arrive first at your commercial space to inspect the area and discuss the boiler setup that would work best for you. This will involve conducting a thorough heating survey of your space. To determine the right boiler size, they will check the number of rooms, bathrooms, and existing radiators, as well as how many people are usually inside. On top of this, they will examine possible locations for your boiler and how to connect it to a power source, assessing if additional pipework will be needed.
The engineer will also talk to you about your own preferences while explaining what they’ve discovered from the heating survey and going through your options. This way, by the end of the visit, you’ll already have settled on the right commercial boiler for your business, from the exact model and location in your building to installation costs. You can then decide on a specific time and date for the boiler installation and wait for the engineers to visit again on that day.
The Installation Process
You will have to be present at the start of the installation to give the engineer access to your space. They will also give you a run-through of what’ll happen. Once the installation is ongoing, you don’t have to stay in your property the whole time–you can simply go back when your boiler is already installed and ready to run. How long installation will take depends on how complex your setup is. For simple installations such as replacing an old combi boiler with a new one of the same type, it’ll only take a few hours up to less than a day. However, if installation will involve extensive changes in pipework or even drilling, you might have to wait for two to five days. In any case, your engineer will clearly define how much time they’ll need.
To prepare for the installation, the engineer will ensure your space stays clean by covering up nearby surfaces with carpet protectors and dust sheets. If you’re having an old boiler replaced, it’ll be cut off first from the gas and water supply, then removed. Before connecting the new boiler, your engineer will clean out your central heating system to get rid of most of the debris inside. The engineer might do a simple chemical flush or a power flush over several hours for more intensive cleaning. Next, they will adjust the pipework, even reconfiguring it to minimise the heat loss of your boiler.
Finally, your engineer will install the boiler at the location you’ve agreed on, usually the boiler room. This will be connected to water outlets, the mains supply, and radiators, with regular boilers also requiring storage tanks. Aside from the boiler, they may also add accessories such as a system filter or filling loops.
Testing and Wrap-Up
Once the boiler is installed, your engineer isn’t done yet. They will still have to conduct system checks to make sure that the boiler is working properly, from looking for potential leaks to checking if the gas pressure is in the correct range. Once they’ve tested it comprehensively, they will clean up the space and call you back so they can fill you in on what to do with your new boiler.
Along with their own tests, your engineer will ask you to try out the boiler yourself so you can see if it’s working according to your specifications. They will then explain how to operate the boiler and lay down safety rules. Although they’ll be giving you the boiler manual and you can contact them freely in the future, it’s still a good time to go through any questions and concerns you might have since they’re already there to demonstrate on the boiler.
Registration and Maintenance
After installation, your engineer will soon register your new boiler with Gas Safe and inform local authorities in compliance with Building Regulations. You will then receive a Building Regulations Certificate. Along with this, your engineer will also send a registration certificate from the boiler manufacturer to validate its warranty.
While you can already relax and enjoy your new boiler as it warms up your commercial space, you will still have to book at least annual servicing for your boiler to keep it in top condition. With a well-planned installation and regular maintenance, you and your business can make good use of your boiler for years to come.
