The Do’s & Don’ts of Boiler Installation
by HVAC Distributors March 12, 2024
Boilers are essential to keeping your customers’ homes warm and cozy during the cold winter months. As a contractor, there are some “best practices” of installation to keep in mind to ensure safety and efficiency when installing a boiler. Let’s break down the five do’s and five don’ts of boiler installation:
Do, Be a Reputable Installer:
Make sure all installers working a job are gas-safe registered. Gas safety certifications provide proof to occupants or residents that the person installing the boiler is following the safety requirements (Property Inspect, 2022). This gives the homeowner peace of mind, as those installing their boiler have the proper training to maintain gas appliances safely.
Don’t Install a Boiler without Proper Certifications:
Installing a boiler can be dangerous to those without the proper training. Attempting installation without training can lead to serious safety risks such as gas leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Contact your HVAC Distributors, Inc. Account Manager to learn how you can get certified in boiler installation. Visit our Upcoming Training page to see upcoming events near you.
Do, Choose the Right Size Boiler:
Determining the correct boiler size for your customer’s home will allow the boiler to run properly and efficiently. When a boiler is installed that is too small, it will struggle to heat the home. If the boiler is too large, this will increase the homeowner’s energy bill, according to Repair Network (2023).
If you are unsure about which boiler size to install in a home, contact the HVAC Distributors Applications Team.
Don’t Always Choose the Larger Boiler:
As stated above, larger boilers can increase a homeowner’s energy bill. If a boiler is too big for the size of a home, the boiler will be overworked. This is not efficient for the customer’s pocket or the boiler’s lifespan. Always consult with the homeowner before installation to see what type of boiler will be the best fit for the size of their home for best installation results.
Do, Select a High Efficiency Boiler:
A high-efficiency boiler can help reduce a homeowner’s utility bills. To know if a boiler is a high-efficiency boiler, look for the ENERGY STAR logo located on the boiler. Engerystar.gov (2024) states that their logo makes it easy for consumers to identify and purchase energy-efficient products that offer savings on energy bills without sacrificing performance, features, and comfort.
Learn more about how ENERGY STAR chooses which products earn their label.
Don’t Try to Cut Costs:
Homeowners will try to cut costs to save themselves money. It is your duty as the installer and expert to inform them cutting corners on boiler installation can lead to long-term expenses. It is more beneficial for them to choose their equipment based on safety and productivity. Advise your customer not to choose a boiler based solely on low-price installation.
Do, Regularly Maintain the Boiler:
Annual boiler maintenance is key to keeping it running productively and safely. Scheduling annual maintenance or tune-ups for a customer’s boiler will create long-standing trust. It gives the homeowner satisfaction the installer is not only continuing to maintain the boiler, but that it was installed safely and properly.
Don’t Ignore the Signs:
While working on a customer’s boiler if you notice warning signs that it may be malfunctioning, alert the homeowner immediately. Present them with the issues found and potential solutions to the problem.
Do, Understand the Warranty:
In most cases, a homeowner will have a new boiler installed and may not understand what their warranty covers. Communicate with the homeowner before, during, and after installation of the boiler what is covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.
If your company offers separate warranties or service plans, communicate those to the homeowner too. This helps provide additional peace of mind to the customer, according to Repair Network (2023).
Don’t Forget About Safety:
Many times, while on the job site, you may notice the homeowner may not have a carbon monoxide detector in the home. When you talk with the homeowner, chat with them about installing a carbon monoxide detector to help keep them safe in their home.
Always remember to talk with your customers about the investment of installing a high-efficiency boiler. Make sure all employees within your company are gas-safe registered to ensure safety when installing boilers and are properly trained. Using these key five do’s and five don’ts of boiler installation will help alleviate challenges during the installation process.
HVAC Distributors proudly stocks Dunkirk, Lochinvar, Rinnai I-Series, and Thermo-Dynamics S-Series boilers. Contact your Account Manager to learn more about our hydronics offering.
References:
Energystar.gov. (2024). How a Product Earns the ENERGY STAR Label. Energystar.gov.
Property Inspect. (2022). The Ultimate Guide to Gas Safety Certificates & Gas Safe Inspections.
Repair Network. (2023). Boiler Installation – Do’s and Don’ts. Repair Network.
https://www.repair-network.co.uk/boiler-installation-dos-and-donts/