
<p>Considering a new oil boiler?</p>



<p>If you&#8217;re one of the 865,940 households in England and Wales that use oil to power their central heating system, you know how crucial your boiler is.</p>



<p>When it comes to replacement time, the cost of oil boiler installation can leave you feeling cold.</p>



<p>Let’s fill you in…</p>



<p>Oil boiler installation is more than just taking out the old and bringing in the new. There&#8217;s planning, regulations, and a process that homeowners aren&#8217;t always prepared for. But not to worry, this article will take you through exactly what to expect so there are no nasty surprises.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What you&#8217;ll find out:</h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The lowdown on oil boiler installation costs</li>



<li>Why oil boilers need special considerations</li>



<li>The full installation timeline</li>



<li>Essential requirements you can&#8217;t miss</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Breaking Down Oil Boiler Installation Costs</h2>



<p>Curious about oil boiler installation costs?</p>



<p>The numbers won&#8217;t win any awards, but they&#8217;re not as grim as they&#8217;re sometimes painted to be either.</p>



<p>Expect a standard <a href="https://www.myjobquote.co.uk/costs/cost-of-installing-an-oil-boiler">Oil Boiler Replacement Cost</a> to set you back anywhere between £2,500 and £7,000 – that includes the installation too. That&#8217;s a rather wide margin, right?</p>



<p>The boiler unit alone is £1,200 – £4,500 depending on type and size and installation will add on another £800 – £2,000 on top of that.</p>



<p>It&#8217;s not like gas boilers where it can often be done in a day. Oil boiler installation is trickier and more involved.</p>



<p>You need a registered OFTEC engineer and not just any heating engineer either. These specialists are well-versed in oil boiler regulations and they charge accordingly.</p>



<p>Installation cost can also vary significantly based on the type of oil boiler you&#8217;re getting. Like for like replacement? You&#8217;re at the lower end of the spectrum. Upgrading from conventional to combi oil boiler? You can expect to pay up.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Oil Boilers Need Special Consideration</h2>



<p>Oil boilers are not just gas boilers with a different fuel supply.</p>



<p>They&#8217;re an entirely different ball game requiring special attention.</p>



<p>Firstly you need somewhere to keep your oil.</p>



<p>If you don&#8217;t already have a tank, you need to factor in another £800 – £1,200 installation cost for that. It has to be in the right position, meet environmental regulations and be accessible for deliveries.</p>



<p>Secondly, your installation must comply with building regulations. This is not optional folks – this is the law.</p>



<p>The boiler has to have a seasonal efficiency rating above 85% and the whole installation must be signed off by a certified engineer.</p>



<p>You can only use OFTEC registered engineers for installation. That&#8217;s the law.</p>



<p>Oil boilers need specialised knowledge about storage and burning of liquid fuel on your property, and the safety implications that come with that.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Complete Installation Timeline</h2>



<p>Wondering how long an oil boiler installation really takes?</p>



<p>It&#8217;s usually one to three days in total. But here&#8217;s what impacts the timeline:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Day One</h3>



<p>Assessment and preparation. Your OFTEC engineer will come to inspect your existing system, check everything&#8217;s in order and get the ball rolling.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Day Two</h3>



<p>Installation proper begins. That means your old boiler out and your new one installed.</p>



<p>All the connecting pipework, electricals and controls get set up at this stage.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Day Three</h3>



<p>Testing and commissioning (if needed). The engineer will test everything&#8217;s working as it should be and hand you all the paperwork off.</p>



<p>If you&#8217;re in a remote rural location, add a bit more time. Getting equipment and engineers to out of the way properties takes longer.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Essential Requirements You Can&#8217;t Ignore</h2>



<p>There are a few must-haves when it comes to oil boiler installation. If you overlook them, it will cause you problems later.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Power Supply</h3>



<p>Your new oil boiler is going to need electricity for the controls, pumps and ignition system.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Oil Storage</h3>



<p>A proper oil tank that meets current regulations with containment measures in place to prevent environmental damage.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Flue Requirements</h3>



<p>The flue must be in the correct position and meet all safety requirements in terms of distance from windows, doors and property boundaries.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Access</h3>



<p>The engineers need proper access to do the installation and come back to service it in the future. Tight spaces mean higher costs.</p>



<p>Oil boiler installation regulations are strict and that&#8217;s for a good reason.</p>



<p>So only a trained professional should do the work.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Understanding Your Oil Boiler Options</h2>



<p>Not all oil boilers are the same, and choosing the right type matters.</p>



<p>It makes a huge difference to your installation costs.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Combi Oil Boilers</h3>



<p>These provide heating and hot water on demand without the need for a separate hot water tank.</p>



<p>Cost £2,000 – £2,800 plus installation.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">System Oil Boilers</h3>



<p>Works with a hot water cylinder to store and supply hot water. Great for properties with more than one bathroom.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Heat Only Oil Boilers</h3>



<p>The traditional type with a hot water cylinder and cold water tank. These are usually the cheapest option at £1,200 – £2,450.</p>



<p>Your hot water demand, available space and budget should all come into your decision.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions</h2>



<p>Every oil boiler installation has a few costs you might not see upfront.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">System Cleaning</h3>



<p>Your existing heating system may need a chemical flush to remove sludge and debris. That can be an additional £350 – £800 to the bill.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Radiator Upgrades</h3>



<p>Older radiators may not be compatible with your efficient new boiler. Radiator upgrades cost £150 – £250 each.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Thermostat and Controls</h3>



<p>You want your oil boiler to work well with a programmable thermostat. Allow another £200 – £500 for decent controls.</p>



<p>Oil prices fluctuate too. <a href="https://www.uswitch.com/boilers/boiler-statistics/">Latest data shows</a> heating oil prices averaged at 79.8p per litre as of September 2023.</p>



<p>Oil prices have swung from 97.9p per litre to 59.1p per litre in just 12 months.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Making Sure Everything Goes Smoothly</h2>



<p>Preparation and choosing the right installer are key to a smooth oil boiler installation process.</p>



<p>Get at least 3 quotes from OFTEC registered engineers.</p>



<p>Don&#8217;t just go with the cheapest – check their credentials, insurance and previous work.</p>



<p>Ask about warranty terms, what happens if issues arise, if disposal of old boiler is included, how long installation will take and how much disruption to expect.</p>



<p>A good OFTEC engineer will identify potential problems before they become costly issues. They will ensure the installation is done to all regulations and safety standards.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Getting the best value for money</h2>



<p>Oil boiler installation costs are significant, but there are ways to get better value for money.</p>



<p>Timing is everything: Install your oil boiler during spring or autumn to avoid peak winter demand. Installations will be cheaper during these months as engineers are less busy.</p>



<p>Efficiency matters: Don&#8217;t just look at the cheapest boiler and installation. A more efficient unit will cost more upfront but save you money on your fuel bills. Modern condensing oil boilers can be over 90% efficient.</p>



<p>Don&#8217;t skimp on installation: The least expensive installer is often the one that costs the most in the long term. Pay for a good quality installation now rather than expensive repairs later.</p>



<p>20% of people who received support from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme are replacing oil boilers. Most are in rural areas where alternatives are limited.</p>



<p>You can still use the scheme with an oil boiler – it just needs to be a modern heat pump version.</p>



<p>The government provides grants and 86% loan to cover the cost of installation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Staying Legal and Safe</h2>



<p>Super important – oil boiler installation is regulated and there are good reasons for that.</p>



<p>Your installer must be OFTEC registered and provide you with a completion certificate.</p>



<p>This certifies the work was completed to the required standards and is compliant with safety and efficiency requirements. No certificate? Insurance and property sales may become a headache later.</p>



<p>The installation must also comply with Building Regulations.</p>



<p>The installer should sort this as part of the job, but make sure it&#8217;s included in their quote.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">All Sorted Then</h2>



<p>Oil boiler installation is more involved than gas, but it doesn&#8217;t have to be a stressful experience if you&#8217;re prepared.</p>



<p>Budget £2,500 – £7,000 for the whole job. Plan on 1-3 days of disruption and only use OFTEC registered engineers.</p>



<p>Get multiple quotes, ask the right questions and don&#8217;t cut corners on installation quality.</p>



<p>This isn&#8217;t just heating you back up. This is an investment in your property that will last 15 – 20 years with proper installation. Get it right and you&#8217;ll have efficient and <a href="https://backstageviral.com/reliable-heating-cooling-services-for-ultimate-indoor-comfort/">reliable central heating</a>.</p>



<p>Oil boiler installation costs might make you shudder but break it down into what you&#8217;re actually getting – professional installation, compliance with regulations, peace of mind and reliable heating – and it starts to add up.</p>

What to Expect When Installing a New Oil Boiler
