Central Heating Installation in Medway, Kent
Whether you are converting a property that has never had central heating, upgrading an outdated system, or adding radiators to a new extension, a well-designed heating system transforms how you live in your home.
Call 01634 949254 for a free consultation and quote.
How Much Does Central Heating Installation Cost?
We believe in pricing transparency. Here are typical prices for the Medway area. We always provide a fixed-price quote after our free survey -- no ballpark estimates that change on the day.
Full central heating system (3-bed house, including boiler)
£3,000 - £5,500
Full system (4-bed house, including boiler)
£4,500 - £7,000
Back boiler conversion (including new boiler + system upgrade)
£2,800 - £4,500
Extending heating to single room/extension
£500 - £1,200
Full radiator replacement (3-bed house, 8-10 radiators)
£1,800 - £3,000
Single radiator replacement (supply + fit)
£250 - £450
Smart thermostat supply and installation
£200 - £350
Power flush
£350 - £550
Prices include all parts, labour, and VAT where applicable. Your actual price depends on the specific requirements of your property.
Our Installation Process
Free Survey and Consultation
We visit your property to assess what you need. We look at the existing heating (if any), the property layout, the insulation levels, and any specific requirements you have. This visit is completely free and there is no obligation to proceed.
System Design
Using the information from the survey, we design a heating system tailored to your property. This includes calculating the heat output needed for each room, selecting appropriately sized radiators, specifying the boiler, and planning the pipework route.
Detailed Quote
We provide a written, fixed-price quote covering every element of the installation. This includes the boiler, radiators, pipework, controls, labour, and any making good. The price we quote is the price you pay.
Installation
A full central heating installation typically takes 3 to 5 days depending on the size and complexity of the project. Our engineers work methodically, fitting pipework, hanging radiators, installing the boiler, and connecting the controls.
Commissioning and Balancing
Once everything is installed, we fill the system, pressurise it, add inhibitor, and commission the boiler. Then we balance the radiators -- adjusting each one to ensure even heat distribution throughout the house.
Handover
We walk you through the entire system -- how to use the controls, how to adjust individual radiator valves, how the thermostat and programmer work, and what to do if anything seems unusual. We also register your boiler warranty and submit Building Regulations notifications.
When You Might Need a New Central Heating System
Full System Installation
Some properties -- particularly older homes in Rochester and Chatham that were built before central heating was standard, or properties that have been heated with electric storage heaters -- need a complete system designed and fitted. This includes a new boiler, all pipework, radiators in every room, and modern heating controls.
Replacing an Old System
Many Medway homes still have central heating systems from the 1970s, 80s, or 90s. These systems often have undersized radiators, narrow bore pipework, and outdated controls. The boiler might have been replaced, but the rest of the system is original. Replacing the entire system -- new radiators, modern pipework, updated controls -- dramatically improves heating performance and efficiency.
Back Boiler Conversion
Back boilers (those old units hidden behind a gas fire in the living room) were once common across Medway's housing stock. They are no longer manufactured, they are extremely inefficient, and parts are increasingly difficult to source. Converting from a back boiler to a modern system boiler or combi boiler involves removing the old unit, installing a new boiler in a suitable location, and often upgrading the radiators and pipework at the same time.
Extension Heating
Built a conservatory, loft conversion, or ground-floor extension? You will need heating in the new space. We extend your existing central heating system to cover the new rooms, adding radiators or underfloor heating as appropriate and ensuring your boiler can handle the additional demand.
Radiator Upgrades
Sometimes the system itself is fine but the radiators are letting it down. Old single-panel radiators in a three-bedroom house in Gillingham simply cannot output the same heat as modern double-panel convector radiators. We replace individual radiators or upgrade the entire property to properly sized modern units.
What Is Included in a Central Heating Installation?
A full central heating installation from Medway Boiler Installers includes:
- System design -- we calculate the heat loss for each room in your property and design a system that delivers the right amount of heat where you need it. No guesswork, no rule-of-thumb estimates.
- Boiler -- a new boiler sized correctly for your system
- Radiators -- modern, correctly sized radiators for every room, with thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) for individual room temperature control
- Pipework -- new copper or plastic pipework throughout the property, routed neatly and unobtrusively
- Heating controls -- a room thermostat, programmer/timer, and TRVs as a minimum. We also install smart thermostats like Google Nest and Hive if you prefer app-based control.
- System protection -- a magnetic system filter to catch debris and sludge, an inhibitor added to the system water, and appropriate system flushing
- Commissioning -- the entire system tested, balanced, and commissioned to ensure even heat distribution throughout the property
- Building Regulations notification -- we handle the required notifications for new heating installations
Types of Central Heating System
Sealed System (Combi or System Boiler)
The most common type for modern installations. The system is sealed from the atmosphere and operates under mains water pressure. Uses either a combi boiler (no cylinder) or a system boiler (with hot water cylinder). This is what we recommend for most Medway homes.
Advantages: Higher water pressure to radiators, no header tank needed in the loft, compact installation, works with modern condensing boilers.
Open-Vented System (Conventional Boiler)
The traditional type with a feed-and-expansion tank in the loft and a hot water cylinder in the airing cupboard. While we can install and repair these systems, they are largely being superseded by sealed systems for new installations.
Advantages: Can handle very high hot water demand, compatible with older pipework, suitable for some specialist applications.
Underfloor Heating
An increasingly popular option for extensions, new builds, and ground-floor renovations. Warm water circulates through pipes beneath the floor, providing gentle, even heat without the need for radiators. We install both wet underfloor heating (connected to your boiler) and can advise on whether it is suitable for your property.
Advantages: Frees up wall space, provides even warmth, works well with lower water temperatures (more efficient).
Modern Heating Controls
Programmable Thermostats
Set your heating to come on and off at different times on different days. No more heating an empty house while you are at work.
Smart Thermostats (Google Nest, Hive, Tado)
Control your heating from your phone, set schedules that learn your routine, and monitor your energy usage. Smart thermostats can reduce heating costs by 10-15% compared to a standard programmer.
Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs)
Fitted to individual radiators, TRVs let you set different temperatures in different rooms. Keep bedrooms cooler while the living room is warm. A simple, effective way to avoid heating rooms you are not using.
Zone Controls
For larger homes, zone control systems split your heating into separate areas (upstairs/downstairs, for example) with independent thermostats and programmers. This avoids heating the whole house when you only need warmth in one zone.
Brands We Install
We are accredited installers for all the major boiler manufacturers, which means we can offer extended warranties that unaccredited fitters cannot.
Greenstar range with warranties of up to 12 years for complete system installations
Up to 12 years
ecoTEC range, popular for sealed system installations across Medway
Up to 10 years
Vitodens range with premium efficiency for whole-house heating systems
Reliable, affordable boilers ideal for full system replacements
Up to 10 years
Logic and Vogue ranges suited to central heating installations of all sizes
Up to 12 years
Not sure which brand is right for your home? That is what our free survey is for. We will assess your property and recommend the option that genuinely fits.
Planning a Central Heating Installation?
Call Medway Boiler Installers on 01634 949254 for a free survey and fixed-price quote. Whether it is a full system for a period property in Rochester, radiators for a new extension in Chatham, or a back boiler conversion in Gillingham, our Gas Safe registered engineers will design and install a system that keeps your home warm and your bills down. Over 20 years of experience. All major boiler brands. Serving the entire Medway area.
More About Our Central Heating Installation Service
Even temperatures in every room. Hot water whenever you need it. Lower energy bills.
And the confidence that comes from knowing your heating is modern, efficient, and built to last.
At Medway Boiler Installers, we take the time to deliver outstanding results. As independent, Gas Safe registered heating engineers with over 20+ years of experience serving Medway, Chatham, Rochester, Gillingham, Strood, Rainham, we work with all the leading manufacturers and can offer genuinely impartial advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Call Medway Boiler Installers Today
Gas Safe registered. 20+ years of experience. Up to 12-year warranties. Serving Chatham, Rochester, Gillingham, Strood, Rainham, and the wider Medway area.