€4,500 to install gas heating in a 67 m² flat: a fair price?

€4,500 for a boiler and 6 radiators: fair price or rip-off?

In June 2013, the owner of a 67 m² flat in the Catalan Pyrenees asks for opinions on a €4,500 quote (VAT included) to install gas heating. It includes a Roca Novanox 24/24 F combi condensing boiler and seven Rayco RD700 aluminium radiators, with a twin-pipe circuit, room thermostat and commissioning. The doubt is reasonable: in a mountain area, winter electricity bills hurt, and gas promises relief. But the figure, with no breakdown, invites suspicion.

The response from the technicians taking part is almost unanimous on one point: the price is not a rip-off, but the chosen materials leave a lot to be desired. A quick calculation circulating in the thread breaks down €1,500 for materials and the rest for labour (two workers, two days, ten hours a day). With those numbers, the installer's margin does not seem excessive. The problem is not the cost, but what you get for that money.

The Roca Novanox boiler: cheap with a bad fruta

Several contributors agree that the boiler included is the weak link. It is described as a model that large installers buy in bulk for new builds and that rarely survives the warranty period. A personal case illustrates this: a similar boiler, the Chaffoteaux Siam 23, broke down repeatedly and was replaced after two years by a Renova Micra that has gone a decade without a fault. The repeated recommendation is to go for brands like Viessmann, Vaillant, Junkers or Saunier Duval, even if the cheapest of them pushes up the quote.

Aluminium radiators: the mistake that proves costly

The second critical point is the radiators. Aluminium ones, like the Rayco RD700 included, tend to generate gases that fill the circuit with air, according to the technical experience shared. The alternative defended is cast iron: more expensive, but practically eternal. In a 67 m² flat with seven elements, the ratio is tight: one element per square metre is usually recommended as a minimum, and here it falls below that. If the property's insulation is poor, the system will struggle on the coldest days.

Alternatives to gas: biomass, heat pump and other options

The debate opens up to other energy sources. Modern electric storage heaters, heat pumps and, with particular emphasis, biomass are mentioned. For a detached or terraced house, a 25-32 kW pellet boiler can cut fuel costs by up to 50% compared with gas, with efficiencies of 96%. In a flat, the option gets complicated: it would require a 10-11 kW pellet stove and a flue, something the residents' association does not always approve. The owner of the flat in question clarifies that it is for rent and that tenants, in a mountain area, would reject biomass because of the hassle of storing pellets.

Gas is not free: fixed costs and price rises

Although natural gas is cheaper than electricity for heating, it does not come free. You have to add the fixed charge on the bill, which is paid in summer too, and the possible installation of the connection, which some companies charge through an annual surcharge for years. What's more, the price of gas has risen in recent years and the trend, it is pointed out, is for it to keep rising. For a rental flat, with tenants who may change, the investment must pay for itself within a reasonable period.

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The conclusion drawn from the exchanges is that €4,500 is not a scam, but it is not a bargain either. The quote is tight for what it offers: a low-end boiler and aluminium radiators that will probably cause problems. The majority recommendation is to get several quotes, compare brands and not skimp on the boiler, because it is the heart of the system. In a rental flat in the Pyrenees, with harsh winters and expensive electricity, gas remains the most logical option, but it is worth doing the maths carefully before signing.