Can a boiler be fitted in a bathroom?
The bathroom can be quite a popular location for a boiler - it can be tucked away inside a cupboard and the hot water could reach your bathroom fixtures much faster. It’s also very convenient as this room already contains the correct drainage and waste pipes, making it one of the easiest places to install the appliance.
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However, bathrooms do tend to be the smallest space in the house and you may be wondering whether the area is sufficient. If you’re thinking of having your boiler moved to this room, here are some things you may want to consider first.
Can you put a combi boiler in a bathroom?
You can put a combi boiler in a bathroom, however, as with any boiler installation, there are certain regulations that must be followed. For example both electrical safety and gas safety should be considered.
The boiler flue as with all installations must exit the room in a safe manner and should be positioned in accordance with manufacturers instructions by a qualified installer. There must also be sufficient access space around the boiler for maintenance or servicing and for ventilation purposes.
The most important thing is for the installer to locate your gas boiler where there’s no chance of it getting wet. There are particular regulations around electrics and these must be followed closely. For this reason, the bathroom is divided into zones, almost like splash zones. Zone zero is the area inside the bath, sink or shower. Obviously, a boiler cannot be located here. Zone one is any area directly above zone zero up to 2.25 metres. This means that, for example, the boiler cannot be located two metres above the bathtub. Zone two stretches for 0.6 metres either side of the bath or shower. The rest of the bathroom, or the safe zone, is zone three. Your boiler must be installed in zone three, away from any risk of coming into contact with water. The main electrical spur for the boiler must be located outside of the bathroom completely, and the boiler should ideally be contained in a cupboard.
These regulations reduce the number of places your new boiler can go, and it might not be possible at all. For example, a potential space might not be an option if the bathroom door opens onto it. Some manufacturers will also state that the boiler must be protected by a cupboard if it’s located in the bathroom, so be sure to check what the manufacturer recommends. If a cupboard is required, you’d need enough space for the boiler and the surrounding cabinet. Alternatively, you may want to put your boiler in a cupboard for aesthetic reasons.
When hiding your boiler, there are additional regulations that must be followed. There should be a gap between the cabinet and the top of the boiler and at least a gap between the cupboard and the bottom of the boiler, these distances are prescribed by each manufacturer.
A Gas Safe registered engineer will know these rules and can advise you on where your boiler can be moved to if you’re unsure.
How to hide a boiler in a bathroom
Having an unsightly boiler hanging on a wall can actually decrease the value of your house. Instead, placing it in a cupboard or cabinet could not only make the room look neater but it could make your home sell faster.
You could opt for a large built-in unit that goes from the floor to the ceiling. Not only could this unit hold your boiler, but it could be a handy space for towels, products and other bathroom accessories too. A large luxurious bathroom has lots of additional storage, but it’s likely that the boiler is located within the large cabinet that’s sitting on top of the worktop.
If you don’t have the space for a large cupboard like this one, you could invest in a compact boiler that can fit in a standard kitchen cupboard. This means that, instead of investing in a bespoke unit that’s made specifically to fit your boiler, you could choose a pre-made unit, knowing that the appliance will fit snugly inside while still adhering to regulations.
