How long does it take to install central heating?

If you’re planning to install a new heating system or replacing a broken system, you may be curious to know how long it takes a professional to install central heating.

This article will answer your burning questions, as well as dive further into the benefits of central heating. We’ve also covered the factors affecting installation time and looked at installing oil central heating.

How long does it take to install new central heating?

Now we know a little about the factors that affect how long it takes to install new central heating, let’s look more closely at some estimated timescales. Below are a few example scenarios with average times:

• The simplest job when it comes to central heating is to swap your old boiler for a similar type of new boiler. This will usually take less than 6 hours with little disruption to your life.
• Slightly more complex, switching to a different type of boiler can take up to 3 days. So, whether you’re switching from a combi to system boiler or heat only to combi boiler this job is not best left for icy nights.
• One of the most complicated jobs is to completely install a new system. You’ll need to set aside up to 2 weeks for this to be done properly. Not surprising as it’ll involve radiator installation, pipework and working under your current flooring.

What affects how long it takes to install central heating?

How long does it take to install central heating exactly? In reality, the time needed for this will wildly vary from job to job.

This can make it difficult to give exact timescales without considering the following factors:

• Your current boiler set up: If you’re simply swapping a boiler for an identical one, this will be much quicker than installing a completely new boiler in a new location.
• Your current heating system: Installing a new system from scratch will take much longer than replacing an old boiler like for like.
• Your fuel type: Switching to a different fuel type (e.g. gas to oil) can be more time consuming than staying with the same fuel type.
• Your home size: If your home is large, installing radiators in every room will take much longer than if your home was small.

How long does it take to install gas central heating?

Choosing gas central heating is a great decision that brings with it a wide range of benefits. For example, did you know that gas central heating is usually more affordable than other types of heating?

Some of the other great advantages include:

• Very quick heat output
• Greater energy efficiency
• No risk of electrical power outages

Sounds great, doesn’t it? You’re probably wondering “how long does it take to install gas central heating?” Thankfully, as most new central heating systems are gas-powered, the timescales we listed earlier were for gas systems (simple install 6 hours – more complex 2 weeks), so it’s not too bad overall.

How long does it take to install oil central heating?

Unfortunately, not all homes in the UK are connected to a mains gas supply. This means you’ll need to look into other fuel types when installing a new central heating system. One of the best alternatives to gas is oil, although you need to be aware that your oil will need to be physically replaced on a regular basis.

The good news? Oil central heating also comes with a host of benefits, such as:

• Affordable prices
• Less likelihood of explosions than gas systems
• No risk of carbon monoxide poisoning
• Easy to use
• Can be combined with other energy types like solar power

So, if your home isn’t connected to the gas mains or you feel like changing things up, it’s useful to know “how long does it take to install oil central heating?” Once you have your radiators in place, installing a new oil boiler is not a long job. Switching like for like this can take up to a day, or if you’re changing to a different type of oil boiler, this can take up to 3 days.

How to find a professional central heating installer nearby

No matter the fuel type you choose for your central heating, installing a new system or boiler isn’t something you can do on your own. In fact, even if you do some of the work yourself, you’ll need to hire an engineer to check your work and make the final connections. This is essential as any mistakes could risk the lives of you and your family.

To save yourself a huge amount of work and many headaches, we’d strongly recommend using our handy search feature to contact the best tradesperson for your job. Our trusted members even have profile pages with customer reviews so you can feel confident in your choice.

How much does central heating cost to be installed by a professional?

Frustratingly, installing a new central heating system isn’t an easy job. This can take days or even weeks so it’s not surprising that you’ll need to budget a large amount for this project.

Depending on the complexity of your job and the type of central heating system you choose, this job can cost anything from £2,300 – £5,500.

Want to learn more about different types of central heating, including prices and important considerations? Check out our central heating installation cost guide. If it’s just a boiler you’re looking for, we have an in-depth cost guide on new boilers.