What to do with an old gas boiler?
If your gas boiler is old, keeps giving trouble or you want to stop depending on gas, here are the options for hot water and how to choose.
Another home, the same change.
Signs it is time to replace it
- It breaks down often or switches itself off.
- It takes a long time to deliver hot water or the temperature is unstable.
- Spare parts are hard to find because the model is so old.
- It uses more gas than before.
If you smell gas, close the gas valve, open the windows, do not switch on lights or electrical appliances and call your gas distributor's emergency line.
Options for hot water
- Electric water heater: the simplest option and the cheapest to install. It needs no flue or gas connection, but its electricity use can be high if a lot of hot water is used.
- Hot water heat pump: it costs more at first, but uses considerably less electricity than an electric water heater. It needs a suitable, ventilated space.
- Air conditioning and hot water in a single system: if you also want to air-condition several rooms, some multi-splits heat the water with the same outdoor unit.
- Another gas boiler: still an option if you want to keep gas, for example when there are heating radiators.
See air conditioning with hot water
What about heating
If the boiler also heated the radiators, an electric water heater only covers hot water. For heating you need to consider another solution: an air conditioner with heat pump, an air-to-water heat pump or keeping a boiler.
How to decide
- How much hot water is used: number of people and habits.
- Whether any radiators depend on the boiler.
- The space available for the new unit.
- The installation cost and long-term running costs.
- Whether you already have, or plan to install, air conditioning.
How we do it
We visit the home, give you a fixed price and make the change, removing the old unit. If you are torn between an electric water heater and a heat pump, try the comparison tool on the water heaters page.
Go to the water heater and heat pump comparison
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace the boiler with an electric water heater?
Yes, if you only need hot water. If the boiler also provides heating, another solution is needed for that.
Is an electric water heater or a heat pump cheaper?
The water heater costs less to install; the heat pump usually uses considerably less electricity and can pay off if a lot of hot water is used.
How much does it cost to replace the boiler with an electric water heater?
An electric water heater installation can start from €350 with materials and unit included. The final price depends on the unit and the installation: we give you a fixed price after the visit, with no obligation.
See also: Water heaters and heat pumps · Air conditioning with hot water · How much air conditioning installation costs · Air conditioning