Last updated on January 29th, 2024
Yes, you can have a ‘room-sealed’ boiler in a bedroom.
Modern boilers are all room-sealed nowadays, but older boilers used to be open-flued.
Open flue boilers, which get the oxygen they need to burn from inside the room, are not allowed and are unsafe to have in a bedroom. Government regs info here.
As a boiler installer, I would not choose to fit a boiler in a bedroom or fit my own in a bedroom if there were other options, but you can have a boiler in a bedroom.
How to Hide a Boiler in a Bedroom
Here are a few ideas for how to hide a boiler in a bedroom:
- Install it in a cupboard
- Fit a cupboard around the boiler
- Box it in after the boiler is installed
- Hide it behind a curtain
Boxing in a Boiler in a Bedroom
There are no ventilation requirements for modern condensing boilers in cupboards anymore so as long as you leave the flue and casing accessible for testing and repairs, boxing in a boiler in a bedroom is fine.
When boxing in a boiler in a bedroom, you should check the manufacturer’s instructions to see what clearances need to be left around the boiler and flue.
Each boiler brand and model can have different clearance allowances.
Boiler in a Bedroom Noise
Modern boilers are quieter than ever, some makes and models quieter than others, but a boiler in a bedroom will still make some noise when the heating is on, or if the hot water is used on a combi boiler.
On the plus side, most people’s heating and hot water are rarely used through the night, but if they are, then this is definitely something to think about.
I would rule out having a boiler fitted in my bedroom personally as I am a very light sleeper.
Summary
Having a room-sealed boiler in a bedroom is safe but I wouldn’t recommend it if you have other options.
Having a small boiler hidden away in a bedroom cupboard would barely be noticeable but make sure there is plenty of access for servicing and repairs.
Make sure to fit a carbon monoxide detector in the bedroom with a boiler in it and get out of there if you hear the carbon monoxide detector beeping.
Feel free to ask any questions in the comment section below and I’ll try my best to help.
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FAQs
Is it safe to have a boiler in a bedroom?
Yes, having a room-sealed boiler in a bedroom is perfectly safe and legal. Even though it is safe to have a boiler in a bedroom, you should always have a carbon monoxide detector alarm in the bedroom also.
I would not recommend having a boiler in a bedroom if you have other options, but it is safe if it is a room-sealed boiler.
Why is the boiler in the bedroom?
If there is a boiler in the bedroom, then that was most likely the only possible location for the boiler to go when it was installed.
Also, some people would choose a boiler in the bedroom to have more kitchen space or free up space elsewhere.
What is a room-sealed boiler?
A room-sealed boiler is a boiler which takes the air in from outside and blows out the harmful products of combustion through a balanced flue pipe.
A balanced flue on a room-sealed boiler has one pipe inside the other. The outer flue pipe (normally 100 mm on domestic boilers) sucks in oxygen from outside to burn. The internal flue (normally 60 mm) then blows out those waste gases (including carbon monoxide) after combustion.
How do you know if your boiler is room-sealed?
Pretty much all modern boilers are room-sealed, but to know if your boiler is room-sealed it will have a balanced flue. A balanced flue is one flue inside the other. You can check this from outside by looking at the flue terminal.
You could also look at the boiler manual if you have one, Google the boiler make and model, call the manufacturer, or ask your local gas engineer.
