Home Garden

How to Relocate a Boiler

A boiler provides a vital function to your home -- it is responsible for keeping your house warm and your water hot. However, the boiler might be in an inconvenient location or you might want to move it so you can make better use of existing home space. Relocating your boiler involves a careful determination for a new space, followed by plumbing and electrical work that could be extensive if you move the boiler far from its current location.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Boiler
  • Appliance dolly
  • Pipe cutter
  • Union
  • Shut-off valve
  • Vacuum breaker
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine the new location for the boiler. Several factors must be considered. The flue's position must allow for exhaust gases to safely disperse into the air. The boiler must not be placed near any obstructions or combustible materials. Combi boilers are hung on the wall and must be supported, but they take up less space than self-standing boilers. Boilers should not be located in a bathroom in most cases to avoid the water from the shower or bathtub from coming in contact with the electrical components of the boiler. You also might want to consider how extensive the plumbing job must be to install new pipes and electrical wires to the boiler.

    • 2

      Apply for a permit if necessary. Some local laws or building codes might require the new location for the boiler to meet specific regulations, such as the number of inches from the boiler to an adjacent wall. Use a tape measure to determine if the new location for the boiler complies with the local building codes.

    • 3

      Make a diagram of all of the other pieces of piping and connectors where the boiler was previously installed. Disconnect the pipes and other boiler materials from the original location.

    • 4

      Go to the water supply's main shut-off valve to turn off the water supply. Disconnect your boiler from the hot water pipes.

    • 5

      Place your boiler on an appliance dolly. Wheel it to the new location. Adjust the legs of the boiler if necessary.

    • 6

      Attach the blow-down tube to a floor drain from the T&P valve outlet. Attach a union, shut-off valve and a vacuum breaker to the valve outlet.

    • 7

      Connect the boiler supply pipe. Use a pipe-cutting tool to cut the pipe so there is enough space for the supply line tee. Place the tee between the boiler supply outlet and system zone valve.

    • 8

      Reconnect the pipes and wiring to the boiler in its new location. Install the burner with locking screws and install the gas piping and wiring according to your diagram. Connect the burner by running electric wires to it and add gas pressure to the unit by turning the gas valve. Attach the water pipes according to your diagram.