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Homeowner's Guide 2026

Boiler Replacement Guide for Cornwall Homeowners

When to replace your boiler, what a new boiler installation costs, and when an air source heat pump with the £7,500 BUS grant makes more sense.

The Simple Rule

If your boiler is over 10 years old and the repair cost is more than £400, replacement is almost always more cost-effective. A new boiler comes with a 5–12 year warranty and 90%+ efficiency vs 65–80% for an aging unit.

Signs Your Boiler Needs Replacing

Urgent

Yellow or Orange Flame

A healthy gas flame is blue. A yellow flame indicates incomplete combustion and a potential carbon monoxide risk. Stop using the boiler and call a Gas Safe engineer immediately.

Age Over 12–15 Years

The average boiler lasts 12–15 years with annual servicing. Beyond this, repair frequency and costs increase sharply while efficiency declines.

Frequent Breakdowns

More than one repair in 2 years on an older boiler usually means replacement is more economical. At £300–£500 per call-out, costs add up quickly.

Rising Gas Bills

Declining efficiency shows in your bills before it shows in performance. A 15-year-old boiler may be 70–75% efficient vs 90%+ for a new model.

Kettling (Rumbling Noises)

A rumbling, banging, or boiling sound indicates limescale or sludge in the heat exchanger. Can sometimes be repaired with a power flush, but on older boilers often indicates replacement is needed.

Persistent Pressure Loss

A boiler that repeatedly loses pressure may have a failing pressure relief valve or a system leak. If recurring after repair, the boiler body may be failing.

New Boiler Costs

Type Typical Cost (Installed) Max Warranty
Gas combi boiler (like-for-like swap)£1,800 – £3,00012 years (Worcester Bosch)
Gas system boiler + new cylinder£2,000 – £3,50012 years (Worcester Bosch)
Oil boiler replacement£3,000 – £5,0005–7 years
Air source heat pump (with £7,500 BUS grant) £500 – £6,500 net Up to 12 years

The £7,500 BUS grant applies to all homeowners replacing any fossil fuel or electric heating with a heat pump — including mains gas, oil, and LPG. The scheme runs until March 2028. We advise on the right option during your free survey.

Boiler Installation Areas

Boiler Replacement FAQs

01
How long does a new boiler installation take?
A like-for-like combi boiler replacement typically takes a single day. A system boiler with a new hot water cylinder takes 1–2 days. More complex conversions (e.g., changing from a system to a combi, or adding magnetic filters, flue extensions, or pipe rerouting) may take 2 days. We give a clear timeline during the survey and confirm a date that suits you.
02
Which boiler brand has the longest warranty?
Worcester Bosch offers up to a 12-year warranty on their Greenstar range when installed by an accredited installer (which CCS Heating & Renewables is). Vaillant offers up to 7 years through their Advance installer scheme. Viessmann and Ideal offer 7–10 year warranties on their premium ranges. The warranty length depends on the specific model and your eligibility as an accredited installer customer.
03
Is a heat pump better than a new boiler for an oil-heated home?
For most off-grid oil-heated homes, a heat pump with the £7,500 BUS grant is now the better long-term choice compared to a new oil boiler. Oil prices are volatile (35–95p/litre since 2021), there is no price cap protection, and oil boilers are expected to be phased out for new installations in coming years. A heat pump running on electricity has more stable costs and can be powered by your own solar electricity. We provide an honest comparison during any survey visit.
04
What is the difference between a combi and a system boiler?
A combi boiler provides instant hot water on demand without a storage cylinder — compact and efficient for smaller homes with one bathroom. A system boiler heats water in a separate cylinder — better for larger homes with multiple bathrooms that need high simultaneous hot water flow. Heat pumps require a cylinder and cannot be paired with a combi setup. We advise on the right configuration for your property during the survey.
05
Should I get a magnetic filter fitted with my new boiler?
Yes — a magnetic system filter (such as Fernox TF1 or Magnaclean) is strongly recommended with any new boiler. The filter captures metallic sludge and scale particles circulating in the central heating system, protecting the boiler's heat exchanger. Most manufacturers require a filter as a condition of their full warranty. CCS includes filter installation and system flush as standard with all boiler installations.
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