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No, we do not recommend installing a boiler by yourself. It may seem like a worthy DIY project to save some money, but the cost of installing a boiler incorrectly can far outweigh any savings you may have from not hiring a professional technician.

It takes years of experience to know what needs to be done and how to do it effectively with boiler installations. This includes technical skills, as well as a thorough understanding of the hazards that come with boiler installation, the dangers of severe leaks and property damage if things go wrong and ways to avoid them.

Some of the hazards of DIY boiler installation include:

• Invalidating the warranty on your boiler
• Creating safety hazards by not knowing proper installation techniques
• Damaging your boiler
• Injuring yourself during the installation
• Getting into legal trouble due to a lack of certification

You can trust the experts at Home Air Services to take care of boiler issues or installation and get you the safest, most efficient heating solution for your home.

Why Shouldn’t I Install a Boiler Myself?

Gas Safe Certification

You need a gas safe certification to properly handle and install a gas boiler. It is unlikely that you can obtain this without a background as a technician.

Many hazards come with improperly installing gas boilers specifically. You could face gas leaks, fires or even small explosions that could put your home, family and safety at risk.

Required Skill Set

Boiler installation should be left to professionals because the skill set required to install them is one that must be honed over years and supported by experience and technical training.

It is a major risk to undertake some electrical, plumbing and gas-related home renovation projects without the proper foundational certifications to complete them. You could end up installing your boiler incorrectly and not be able to heat your home effectively, or you could risk releasing toxic fumes into the home. 

Some skills and experience professional boiler installers have include:

• Ability to work quickly
• Experience handling chemicals
• In-depth understanding of proper wiring
• Technical knowledge
• Experiential knowledge
• Hazard awareness

Type of Boiler

The type of boiler may also affect whether or not you think you can DIY the installation. For gas boilers, the gas safe certification disqualifies most people from self-installation because of the potential chemical leak hazards that come with improper installation.

For electric and oil boilers, we still don't recommend DIY installation. Even if you can self-install an oil or electric burner, you would still need an electrical technician to do the wiring. You would also likely need to get building approval, which will be difficult to validate if you are not a qualified professional.

Risks of DIY Boiler Installation

• Time-Consuming: Professional technicians may be able to do a boiler installation within a day, but without the right skill set you will almost certainly take longer. This could create an additional risk that the boiler is not installed properly or that issues go undetected.

• Invalidated Warranty: If you opt to not hire a professional, you may risk the warranty on your boiler, particularly if you purchase it from a company that offers installation services.

• Health and Safety Risks: Improper boiler installation can create significant health and safety risks for your home, such as carbon monoxide leaks, fire risks and compromised air quality. A certified technician with a gas safe certification will be your best option to ensure this doesn't happen.

• Cost Efficiency:  You may save money on the front end by not paying for the additional installation services with the boiler, but if you install the boiler incorrectly or lose out on the warranty, you'll then have to pay for repairs out of pocket. Those costs will add up quickly and invalidate DIY savings. Along with this, many technicians offer personalized pricing plans and can even offer financing options to make covering installation costs easier.

Boiler Installation Experts in Rockville, MD

Leave boiler installation and repair to the experts at Home Air Services. We’ve been providing reliable HVAC services for decades and have specialized knowledge and skills to ensure installations go smoothly. If you need a new boiler, furnace or heating system replacement, give us a call at (301) 812-3906 to schedule an appointment.