Hi,
I own a flat (in Scotland) which I rent out, the current gas combi boiler has reached the end of its life and needs replaced. The amount of call outs for repair have reached the point where the tenants are quite understandably a bit hacked off with having no heating or hot water.
My issue with a replacement is that I have a 15mm gas line from the meter to the boiler. This is run through ceilings, down walls and under floors to get from the hallway via the kitchen and into the bedroom where the boiler is. Therefore upgrading this to 22mm required for a high efficiency condensing boiler is going to be extremely cost prohibitive and will impose significant disruption to the tenants. Mains inlet to the property is only 15mm anyway so doubt 22mm inside would make a difference.
I have been told I my boiler fitter can apply for an exemption and fit a standard efficiency (non-condensing) boiler. Is this easy to get approval for and will this be an approved installation?
I checked Scottish building regs for installing boilers and it states an exemption is required not to fit a condensing boiler; however when I called Glasgow City Council building standards department they told me they don't need to see anything and I could fit it ok without permission. He said as its a straight replacement it doesn't need any permission, a completion certificate is not required and they don't have the man-power to check every boiler installation.
As I'm getting conflicting stories I want to ensure I am covered before paying to get it done. My biggest worry is having the correct paperwork for when I sell the property.
Can anyone else clarify the situation?
Cheers,
Roger
I own a flat (in Scotland) which I rent out, the current gas combi boiler has reached the end of its life and needs replaced. The amount of call outs for repair have reached the point where the tenants are quite understandably a bit hacked off with having no heating or hot water.
My issue with a replacement is that I have a 15mm gas line from the meter to the boiler. This is run through ceilings, down walls and under floors to get from the hallway via the kitchen and into the bedroom where the boiler is. Therefore upgrading this to 22mm required for a high efficiency condensing boiler is going to be extremely cost prohibitive and will impose significant disruption to the tenants. Mains inlet to the property is only 15mm anyway so doubt 22mm inside would make a difference.
I have been told I my boiler fitter can apply for an exemption and fit a standard efficiency (non-condensing) boiler. Is this easy to get approval for and will this be an approved installation?
I checked Scottish building regs for installing boilers and it states an exemption is required not to fit a condensing boiler; however when I called Glasgow City Council building standards department they told me they don't need to see anything and I could fit it ok without permission. He said as its a straight replacement it doesn't need any permission, a completion certificate is not required and they don't have the man-power to check every boiler installation.
As I'm getting conflicting stories I want to ensure I am covered before paying to get it done. My biggest worry is having the correct paperwork for when I sell the property.
Can anyone else clarify the situation?
Cheers,
Roger