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Due to their green operations and low maintenance, electric boilers have become trendy. Also, they produce low noise while working. Therefore, people are considering replacing their old oil and gas boilers with electric boilers. However, the question arises whether it’s feasible and, if so, how this replacement would be carried out. Read the blog below to learn how electric boilers are better than gas boilers and how to replace your old boiler with a new electric one.
Is It Feasible to Replace Your Gas Boiler with an Electric Boiler?
When it comes to electric boilers, they are preferred to gas boilers in many ways, which makes them a highly feasible option as compared to gas boilers:
- Electric boilers are up to 90% efficient, much better than gas boilers
- They operate with zero emissions of harmful gases of carbon.
- These boilers operate quietly; thus, your home has no disturbance or noise.
- These are easy to install as they do not require a flue pipe.
- These are cost-effective to install and benefit from.
- These boilers have fewer moving parts; therefore, they need low maintenance and fewer safety hazards.
Removing the Old Boiler
The first step in installing a new electric boiler is removing the old boiler by hiring professional services. A skilled gas-safe engineer will remove the main boiler body and its associated components.
- A gas-safe engineer will cut off the gas supply and cap off to ensure zero gas leakage.
- This is followed by removing the flue, the pipe that exhausts combustion gases in the boiler.
- The boiler may have a condensation pipe running through the wall. It transfers wastewater to the sewer. This will also be removed along with the whole pipe lining of gas or oil boilers.
- Finally, you will have sites for the new electric boiler installation
Pick the Appropriate Boiler for Your Needs
Choosing the most suitable boiler to deliver the right power before a new electrical installation is pertinent.
As per the general rule of thumb, experts suggest 1.5kW boiler output per radiator for heating-only boilers. For example, a 12kW boiler is suggested if you have eight radiators.
However, suppose you have a boiler for both heating and hot water. In that case, you don’t need to add 3kW to the required boiler output, as people usually recommend, as it’s anti to the fact that in the case of such a boiler, the same energy will be utilised to provide heat for your home and hot water for showering. There is no need to add extra power to your boiler.
The precise method for these energy calculations for the boiler is to hire an energy assessor. He will assess your needs and suggest to you the right type of boiler with the right power to fulfil your energy demands.
Installation of the Electric Boiler
The installation of your electric boiler is a step-wise procedure that is mainly completed in two phases.
- Installation of electrical equipment like power supply, phase system, circuit, and switches.
- Installation of plumbing components like pipes, valves, etc.
Professionals should do Both types of tasks so that there is no loophole with the electrical or plumbing components and you can have a continuous supply of heat and hot water.
Installation of Electrical Equipment
- First, an electrician will tell you about your boiler’s compatibility to run on a specific power supply. For example, a 12kW Thermosphere electric boiler can be connected to a single-phase supply, whereas larger output boilers of 8 to 24kW can run on a 400V three-phase supply. It is recommended to ask some experts for detailed guidance. They will help you find the right size and power boiler for your needs.
- Not only will a certified electrician help you find a reasonable boiler for yourself, but they will also make all the key connections of wiring, circuits and switches.
- To ensure safe boiler operations, you must install a dedicated and suitably sized breaker on your distribution board.
Installation of Plumbing Equipment
Generally, there is comparatively less plumbing needed for installing electrical boilers than gas boilers. If you are installing a combi boiler, they only require connecting cold and hot water pipes to your plumbing system.
Briefly, all pipe connections will be the same as for the oil boiler, with little modifications to save you the cost of extra pipe fittings.
Conclusion
Replacing your old gas boiler with a new electric boiler is possible and simple. Simply, you have to hire professionals. They will help you make electrical and plumbing adjustments, guide you in choosing the right size of boiler for your property and ultimately provide you with the maintenance and care guidelines to benefit from smooth boiler operations.
Regarding meticulous electric boiler installations, Albion RA is a trusted name for licensed and skilled professionals. Hire our boiler installation services and have trusted and safe boiler installation services with ultimate peace of mind.
FAQs
Do the electric boilers work like gas boilers?
The general principle of working is the same for both boilers. They need input energy to produce heat. A key difference is their energy source.
Do electric boilers need maintenance?
Comparatively, electric boilers need less maintenance as compared to gas boilers. You simply have to get them inspected once a year.
What does it mean by a dedicated circuit?
It is a circuit connected to only that specific appliance, which, in this case, is a boiler. A dedicated circuit also has its circuit breaker or MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) installed in the consumer unit. This breaker withstands the maximum current flow towards the boiler.
What kind of cable should I choose for my electric boiler?
The best answer to this question is to hire a qualified electrician. They will choose the cable with the right power to bear the current load.
Will an electric boiler be cost-effective?
Yes, if it is maintained well and has good efficiency, it will be cost-effective in running.