It is important to plan and understand the installation process of an electric boiler. Select the size and kind of boiler that best suits your needs. Hire qualified professionals to install the boiler.
This article will walk you through the steps of installing an electric boiler, with clear instructions and helpful tips.
Electric Combi Installation Overview
- For the best sizing, it is recommended to have a professional assess your home, its size, power requirements, and heating needs.
- The preparation for installing an electric boiler involves hiring professionals with the necessary qualifications, obtaining the required permits, and making sure the installation site can handle the high power requirements of the boiler.
- Electric boilers are more environmentally friendly than traditional boilers. They emit no carbon on site and can be integrated with renewable energy, which aligns with future sustainability goals.
How to Choose the Right Electric Boiler for your Home
The size of your house, the amount of hot water and heating you need, as well as the power output that the boiler needs to produce, all influence your decision.
An heating engineer or an electric heating company can offer expert advice to ensure that the boiler you select is perfectly suited to your needs.
How to assess your heating and hot-water requirements
- Electric boilers should be sized according to the number and size of radiators you have in your home. A standard rule is 1.5kW per radiator.
- The standard 1.5kW per radiator might not apply to all homes, depending on the size and usage of radiators.
- Add 3 kW to the output if the electric boiler will also be used for hot water.
It is important to evaluate your household’s needs. When assessing your household’s hot-water needs, you should consider the number of bathrooms in the home, the frequency with which baths and/or showers are taken, and how much hot water is used simultaneously.
Electric boilers types
Electric boilers are available in three main types.
- Electric combi-boiler: They do not need hot water storage tanks and can provide hot water when needed. These are common in small and medium homes, especially flats.
- Heat-only boilers are designed for homes with multiple bathrooms and require a separate hotwater storage cylinder.
- System boilers require a separate hot-water storage cylinder but have integrated components that make installation easier.
Electric boilers are available in a variety of types, each with their own unique characteristics.
Electric boilers are ideal for homes that have a high demand for hot water. They include internal components such as pumps and only require a water tank.
Heat-only electric boilers work well for larger homes that have a traditional heating system with a separate tank of hot water and a storage tank for cold water in the attic.
Electricity supply: Single-phase or three-phase?
When choosing an electric boiler, it is important to take into account the type of electricity that your home uses. The majority of domestic homes have a single phase electricity supply. This is used for homes that use gas central heating and when less power is needed.
- In commercial and larger buildings, three-phase power is usually used.
- Electric boilers of up to 12kW are compatible with 230V, single-phase power.
- For boilers ranging between 18 and 24kW, a three-phase 400V supply is required.
- Consult a qualified electrical engineer to determine your power needs and the best electricity supply for your electric boiler.
Upgrades to three-phase power can be expensive and should only be considered if your electric demands, including those of the boiler, are greater than what can be accommodated by a one-phase supply.
Prepare for Electric Boiler Installation
Installing the electric boiler in your home is easy once you have chosen the best one for your home. The installation process involves:
- Hiring qualified professionals
- Get the necessary permits
- Prepare the installation site for a compliant and smooth electric boiler installation
Hire qualified professionals
Electric boilers are complex systems that require electrical engineers or heating engineers to install.
They should have a good understanding of both electrical and plumbing activities, particularly when switching from gas heating systems to electric ones.
Heating engineers must also ensure that the electric boiler is compliant with Building Regulations. This includes checking for the presence of an electrical assessment label from a third party on the boiler.
It is recommended that you hire a company with certified plumbers, electricians and Gas Safe engineers to provide a complete, compliant electric boiler service.
Get the permits you need
It is important to obtain any permits or approvals before installing an electric boiler.
Electric Combi Boiler Installation in London must comply with relevant safety and building standards. Installing your electric boiler with a reputable service will ensure that it is compliant.
The local council’s regulations on safety and compliance should be followed when disposing of an old boiler.
Prepare the installation site
Check the electrical infrastructure of the house before installing an electric boiler to make sure it can handle its high power consumption. This includes:
- In older buildings, it is important to check the condition of wiring.
- Assuring that the installation site is equipped with an electrical supply circuit dedicated to it, and a circuit breaker of the correct size.
- Make sure that the electric boiler does not receive its power from a ring main.
It is vital for the safe operation of the system to install a dedicated breaker at the distribution board. This should be connected with the right size and type electrical cable.
Installing an isolation switch next to the electric boiler is important for emergency situations and safe maintenance.
Electric boilers are designed to be space-saving, allowing for flexible installation. This reduces installation costs and complexity.
Electric Boiler Installation Process
We can now move on to the actual installation. This includes:
- Remove the gas or oil boiler safely by disconnecting it and removing it.
- Installing a new electric boiler.
- Perform the necessary tests to make sure that your boiler is operating efficiently and safely.
Remove the old boiler
First, the gas or oil boiler must be safely disconnected and removed. Gas boilers are removed by certified heating engineers who safely cap off the gas lines.
It is necessary to remove the oil feed tank and the old oil storage tank when removing an oil boiler.
In addition to the boiler, the process of removal includes removing the condensing boiler’s condensation pipe and the flue that vents combustion gasses. For safety, any remaining openings from these components must be sealed.
Installing a new electric Boiler
Installing the new electric boiler begins after the old boiler has been safely removed. Install the boiler, making sure it’s leveled and located in the correct location for power and plumbing connections.
For electric boilers, the plumbing connections are typically a simple input cold and output hot for system boilers. Additional connections can be made for domestic hot-water in combi boilers.
Room thermostats are used to control an electric boiler. They connect directly to the control circuit. ThermoSphere, for example, requires a wired connection for the heat call terminal and a 3-amp supply for controls.
The system is then cleaned to remove any debris, such as black magnetite, and a inhibitor is added to prevent rusting or hydrogen gas formation.
Testing and Commissioning
After the boiler installation, it is necessary to perform a number of tests, checks and adjustments in order to ensure that the boiler operates safely and efficiently. The boiler-commissioning process ensures the new electric boiler meets safety and performance criteria.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Electric boilers are a safer option for installation due to their absence of a chimney and the lack of risk of gas leaks. However, they require regular maintenance and care to perform at optimal levels.
Let’s look at how to maintain your electric boiler. From cleaning the system to remove sludge, to troubleshooting some common problems.
Annual Servicing
For the electric boiler to perform at its best and maintain its peak performance, a annual boiler maintenance is essential.
is not required by law, but it’s recommended to service your electric boiler on a regular basis to avoid potential problems and maintain efficiency.
During an annual service visit, a professional will:
- Check components and wiring for issues like discoloration due to incorrect connections or cable sizing.
- Test the performance of your system.
- Check specific parts, such as the electrical connections and heating element to ensure proper operation.
Common Electric Boiler Issues & Solutions
Electric boilers, despite their efficiency and safety can occasionally encounter problems. A common issue is that the boiler will not turn on. This could be caused by a power supply problem and can often be indicated by error message or the lack of a power light.
Low water pressure is another common problem that stops the boiler working. This usually requires re-pressurizing the system after checking the system for leaks.
RCD trip may indicate an overloaded circuit, or an Earth leak. Verification of circuit load is required as well as checking for earth leaks.
If the electric boiler works but does not produce heat, it could be a problem with the heating elements. This can be diagnosed by checking the current or resistance.
Even in the warmer months, activating the electric heater for short periods can prevent the boiler from seizing, and reduce the chance of a breakdown.