BOILERS

I’m proposing to replace my gas / oil central heating boiler. Do I need to make a Building Regulation Application?
You will not normally need to make a Building Regulation application. For gas-fired boilers, the installer you employ must be CORGI registered and be able to install condensing boilers. For oil-fired boilers, you can employ an OFTEC registered installer, or some other reputable installer who is capable of installing condensing boilers. If you employ an installer who is not a registered with OFTEC, you will need to contact us.

You should have a condensing boiler fitted if it is reasonable to do so, but the law allows exceptions if it would be too difficult to fit one into your home. The installer will be able to judge this for you by consulting Approved Document L of the Building Regulations.

If it is considered too difficult to install a condensing boiler you will be issued with a ‘declaration form’ for you keep. CORGI and OFTEC installers will be issuing these from 1st April 2005, although oil-fired boilers do not have to meet the new energy efficient standards until 1st April 2007.

Condensing boilers are more efficient that ordinary boilers and so produce less carbon dioxide whilst still meeting heating needs. Condensing boilers convert 86% or more of the fuel they use into useful heat, whereas older ordinary types of boiler may convert as little as 60% of the fuel to useful heat.

Condensing boilers can be more expensive but will save money on you heating bills in the long term and help to tackle climate change.

Further information is available from the following sources:

The Heating & Hotwater Information Council
www.centralheating.co.uk

The Energy Saving Trust
www.est.org.uk
0845 727 7200

Department for Communities and Local Government (formerly ODPM)
www.communities.gov.uk

CORGI
www.corgi-gas-safety.com
0870 401 2300

OFTEC
www.oftec.org
0845 658 5080

Boiler-efficiency database
www.boilers.org.uk

Disclaimer:
The information contained within this page has been sourced from an advice sheet produced by the DCLG entitled ‘Gas and oil central-heating boilers. Advice to Householders’. To obtain a copy, please click here.