Your Questions Answered

Our range of expert services include installation, repair, and maintenance of boilers, Gas Safety Certificates, gas leak detection and repair, general plumbing and repairs, underfloor heating, and more.

Yes, we understand that installing a new boiler and bathroom installation services can be a significant investment. Our flexible finance plans make it easier for you to manage unexpected costs, ensuring you get the service you need without the stress.

We provide up to 18 years’ manufacturer’s warranty on parts, along with a one-year warranty on our team’s labour, giving you complete peace of mind.

Our fixed price guarantee means the quote we provide is exactly what you’ll pay, with no hidden fees. This transparency is part of our commitment to reliable and honest service.

Yes, we do! We understand the unique needs of residential and commercial buildings. We offer tailored services to ensure safety and compliance.

You can contact us on 01376 802842 or email us at info@cowleyheating.co.uk.

For optimal safety, efficiency, and compliance, we recommend an annual boiler service. This helps to identify potential issues early and keeps your system running smoothly.

Our team can repair and service a range of boilers, including gas, electric, LPG, and unvented cylinders. We work with a wide range of boiler brands including ATAG, Valliant, BAXI, Bosch, Hive, and more.

Landlords are required to renew the Gas Safety Certificate annually. Our team provides thorough inspections to help you meet legal requirements and keep your property safe.

Choosing the right type of boiler for your home—combi, system, or regular—depends on a few key factors like the size of your home, number of bathrooms, hot water usage, existing heating system, and available space.

Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:

1. Combi Boiler (Combination Boiler)

Best if:

• You live in a small to medium home (1–2 bathrooms).
• You want instant hot water without needing a water tank or cylinder.
• You have limited space (e.g. no airing cupboard or loft).
• You’re replacing an old combi boiler.

Considerations:

• Can’t handle multiple showers at once well.
• Not ideal for homes with high hot water demand.
• Not suitable for homes with low water pressure.

2. System Boiler

Best if:

• You have a medium to large home with 2+ bathrooms.
• Compact and tidy – unlike regular boilers, system boilers don’t need cold water storage tank in the loft, saving space and making installation easier.
• Energy efficient – works well with solar and other renewable energy systems.

Considerations:

• Needs space for hot water cylinder.
• No instant hot water – limited to what’s in the cylinder.
• You have limited space (e.g. no head height above heating system).

3. Regular Boiler (Conventional / Heat-Only)

Best if:

• You have an older, large home with a traditional heating system.
• You already have a cold water tank in the loft and hot water cylinder.
• Your water pressure is low (gravity-fed system).

Considerations:

• Takes up more space, eg feed expansion tank in loft.
• Can be less efficient than modern combi or system boilers.
• Usually more expensive to install unless you’re replacing a similar model.

Quick Summary Table:

Boiler Type	Best For	Hot Water Source	Water Pressure	Space Required
Combi	Small homes, flats	On demand	Mains pressure	Boiler only
System	Medium-large homes	Hot water cylinder	Mains pressure	Cylinder and boiler
Regular	Large/older homes	Cylinder & loft tank	Gravity-fed or pumped	Boiler, tanks and cylinder

Final Recommendation:

To get the best advice:

1. How many bathrooms do you have?
2. Do you often use multiple taps/showers at once?
3. Do you have existing tanks or cylinders?
4. Do you have space limitations?

The cost of a new boiler installation—including parts and labour—can vary significantly depending on the type of boiler, your home’s size, and the complexity of the installation.

Key Cost Factors

• Boiler brand & efficiency (e.g. Worcester Bosch tends to cost more)
• Property size and number of bathrooms
• Old boiler type and whether pipework needs replacing
• Location – labour rates are higher in London and the South East

Tip for Transparency

Always ask for a written quote with a full cost breakdown, including:

• Boiler model & warranty
• Timescale
• Any added parts (valves, filters, etc.)
• VAT (check if included)

The time it takes to install a boiler can vary depending on a few key factors, but here’s a general guide to help customers plan:

Standard Boiler Installation Times

Type of Installation	Typical Time Estimate	Notes
Straight swap (same type, same location)	1 day	Minimal disruption; quickest option.
Upgrading (e.g. regular to combi)	2–3 days	More complex: pipework and system changes.
Relocating the boiler	2–4 days	Time depends on new location and access.
Full central heating install (new radiators, pipework, etc.)	3–5+ days	Larger project with more disruption.

Other Factors That Can Affect Installation Time

• Old system removal/cleaning (e.g. flushing sludge)
• Gas supply upgrades
• Unexpected issues (access problems, asbestos, outdated wiring)
• Permits/inspections (may delay final sign-off)

Customer Planning Tip

Advise customers to plan for at least 1–3 days of potential disruption, and to:

• Move valuables out of the work area
• Ensure someone is available to give access
• Arrange alternative heating/hot water if needed

Yes – when we install your new boiler, we will remove your old boiler and dispose of it safely in accordance with environmental regulations. The cost of removal and disposal is included in your installation package, so there are no hidden fees.

When you install a new boiler—especially in an older home—you don’t always have to upgrade your radiators or pipework, but it’s often worth checking them before you make the investment.

Here’s the breakdown:

1. Radiators

• If they’re old but working: Many can be reused, but older steel panel or cast-iron radiators may have internal sludge or corrosion that reduces efficiency. A professional can flush them out (power flush or chemical flush) to restore performance.
• If they’re undersized: A modern boiler will heat water more efficiently, but if your radiators are too small for the room sizes or poorly positioned, you might not feel the benefit.
• If they’re in poor condition: Leaks, weak spots, or severe rusting are signs it’s better to replace them during the boiler upgrade rather than later.

2. Pipework

• Older narrow pipes (8–10mm microbore or early steel pipes): These can restrict flow in a high-efficiency condensing boiler system. Upgrading to modern copper or plastic piping (usually 15mm or more) can help the boiler operate at its intended efficiency.
• Sludge and scale: Old systems can be clogged. Flushing the pipes and fitting a magnetic filter on the return pipe helps protect your new boiler.
• Insulation: Older exposed pipework can lose a lot of heat before it reaches your radiators; lagging (insulating) them is a cheap efficiency boost.

3. Why installers often recommend upgrades in older homes

• A new boiler is like a high-performance engine—it works best when the rest of the system can keep up.
• Old radiators and pipes can cause uneven heating, cold spots, and more frequent breakdowns.
• Replacing these parts during boiler installation is often cheaper and less disruptive than doing it later.

Bottom line:
You can keep existing radiators and pipework if they’re in good shape and compatible, but in older systems it’s smart to at least flush, inspect, and possibly upgrade key parts. The installer should check radiator sizing, inspect for corrosion, and test water quality before making the final decision.

Whether your new boiler is energy-efficient and will save you money depends on a few key factors:

1. Efficiency rating

• Modern condensing boilers often have an ERP A-rating (90%+ efficiency), meaning most of the fuel turns into usable heat rather than being wasted.
• If your old boiler was non-condensing (often 60–80% efficient), the upgrade can significantly cut fuel usage.

2. Type of fuel and prices

• Gas is usually cheaper per kWh than electricity in most regions, so a new high-efficiency gas boiler can bring large savings.
• If fuel prices rise, efficiency becomes even more important.

3. Your heating habits

• The more you use heating and hot water, the more you benefit from higher efficiency.
• Smart controls, thermostatic radiator valves, and weather compensation features help reduce unnecessary heating.

4. System design & installation quality

• Even the most efficient boiler will underperform if it’s oversized, poorly installed, or not balanced with your radiators and insulation levels.
• A proper heat-loss calculation is crucial — an oversized boiler cycles on/off too often, wasting energy.

5. Maintenance

• Annual servicing keeps efficiency high and prevents breakdowns that could increase running costs.

Typical savings example
If you replace a 70% efficient boiler with a 93% efficient model and you currently spend £1,200/year on gas, the saving is roughly:

• Energy waste reduction: from 30% to 7% waste = 23% fuel saved
• £1,200 × 0.23 ≈ £276/year saved (actual savings vary with usage and fuel prices).

We want you to feel completely confident in both the boiler and our work.

• Manufacturer’s warranty: Your new boiler comes with a full manufacturer’s warranty covering parts (and often labour) if anything goes wrong due to a fault. Different manufacturers provide different warranties depending on the boiler chosen.
• Our installation guarantee: We also provide our own one year workmanship guarantee. If an issue arises that’s down to the way we installed it, we’ll put it right at no cost to you.
• Registration & paperwork: We handle all warranty registrations with the manufacturer for you, so you’re fully covered from day one.
• Fast support: If you ever have a problem, you just call us — we’ll coordinate any repairs with the manufacturer and get you back up and running quickly.

Cowley Heating Services has Gas Safe registered engineers. If you’re looking to hire someone for gas work, you should always:

• Ask for their Gas Safe ID card (front and back).
• Check their registration online at Gas Safe Register.
• Confirm they’re qualified for the specific type of work (boilers, cookers, etc.).

Yes, a boiler should be serviced once a year, and this is usually both a safety and a warranty requirement.

Here’s the breakdown:

1. Why an annual service is important

• Safety – Boilers burn fuel, so servicing checks for leaks, unsafe combustion, and carbon monoxide risks.
• Efficiency – Cleaning and tuning help the boiler run at peak efficiency, which keeps energy bills lower.
• Prevent breakdowns – An engineer can spot worn parts before they cause expensive failures.
• Legal requirement in some cases – If you’re a landlord in the UK, for example, annual checks are mandatory for gas safety certification.

2. Warranty implications

• Most manufacturers require proof of annual servicing to keep the warranty valid.
• Missing a yearly service can give them grounds to refuse free repairs or replacements if something goes wrong.
• Service records (stamped logbook or digital record) are typically needed as evidence.

3. What’s usually included in a service

• Checking the flue and ventilation.
• Inspecting and cleaning the burner.
• Testing gas pressure and flow.
• Checking safety devices and controls.
• Looking for leaks or corrosion.
• Flushing or topping up system pressure.

Yes — most modern boilers can be controlled with a smart thermostat or app, but the details depend on the boiler model, your existing heating system, and the smart control you choose.

Here’s what tech-savvy customers usually want to know:

1. Compatibility

• Many new boilers work with popular smart thermostats like Nest, Hive, or Tado.
• Some brands have their own smart controls and apps (e.g., Worcester Bosch EasyControl, Vaillant vSMART).
• Check whether the boiler supports OpenTherm or a similar protocol — this allows more advanced features like modulating heat output rather than just switching on/off.

2. Installation

• In most cases, installing a smart thermostat is straightforward for a heating engineer or electrician.
• Wireless models avoid having to run new cables.

3. App Features

• Remote temperature control from anywhere.
• Scheduling and zoning (different temps in different rooms).
• Energy usage reports and efficiency tips.
• Integration with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit for voice control.

4. Possible Limitations

• If your boiler is very basic or very old, you may be limited to on/off control.
• Some manufacturers void warranties if you use third-party smart controls — worth checking before purchase.

Yes — most modern boilers can be controlled with a smart thermostat or app, but the details depend on the boiler model, your existing heating system, and the smart control you choose.

Here’s what tech-savvy customers usually want to know:

1. Compatibility

• Many new boilers work with popular smart thermostats like Nest, Hive, or Tado.
• Some brands have their own smart controls and apps (e.g., Worcester Bosch EasyControl, Vaillant vSMART).
• Check whether the boiler supports OpenTherm or a similar protocol — this allows more advanced features like modulating heat output rather than just switching on/off.

2. Installation

• In most cases, installing a smart thermostat is straightforward for a heating engineer or electrician.
• Wireless models avoid having to run new cables.

3. App Features

• Remote temperature control from anywhere.
• Scheduling and zoning (different temps in different rooms).
• Energy usage reports and efficiency tips.
• Integration with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit for voice control.

4. Possible Limitations

• If your boiler is very basic or very old, you may be limited to on/off control.

Some manufacturers void warranties if you use third-party smart controls — worth checking before purchase.

It’s possible, but it depends on your specific situation.

You might need to move the new boiler if:

• Space is too tight — modern boilers often need a bit of clearance around them for safe operation and servicing. If yours is crammed in, installers might recommend shifting it.
• Awkward or unsafe location — for example, if it’s hard for a technician to access, if it blocks cupboards, or if it’s near something flammable.
• Updated regulations — sometimes building codes or gas safety rules have changed since your current boiler was installed, meaning your old spot no longer meets requirements.
• Flue routing issues — the flue (exhaust) must have a safe exit point. If your existing setup makes that tricky, relocation could be the simplest fix.

That said, if your current location is safe, accessible, and compliant with modern standards, you may not need to move it.

Recommended Boiler Brands & Why They Stand Out

Vaillant

• Engineering & Quiet Operation: EcoTEC range is known for quiet and efficient performance, especially suited for smaller homes.
• Controls & Sustainability: Advanced modulation and weather-compensated controls that adapt to your home’s heating patterns. Strong focus on green technology.
• Warranty & Reputation: Offers up to 10 years when professionally installed; awarded Which? Best Buy and strong Trustpilot ratings.

ATAG

• Best Warranty & Reliability (Value Category): Remarkable warranty—up to 18 years with life-time heat-exchanger guarantee. Efficiency around 94%. 
• Independent Praise: Reddit users note long warranties and simple, reliable construction.

Baxi

• Local Heritage & Support: Manufacturing in the UK since 1866, with widespread parts availability and strong service network.
• Hydrogen-Ready Future: Current models certified for use with up to 20% hydrogen blend and active in low-carbon innovation.
• Warranty & Affordability: Up to 10 years, with competitive pricing.