Free Old Boiler Removal and Collection
Had a new boiler fitted, or switching to a heat pump? Your old one is mostly steel, copper and brass, which is why local scrap collectors will usually take it for free. Tell us what you’ve got, and a licensed collector near you will pick it up.
Cost of removal: low
Old boilers have scrap value, so collection is usually free. No skip, no tip run, no removal fee.
What’s inside your old boiler
A typical gas boiler is packed with metal that can be recycled. That’s what makes collecting it worthwhile.
- 1
Outer casing
The steel box around everything.
Steel - 2
Heat exchanger
Where the water is heated. Often copper, aluminium or stainless steel.
Copper / alloy - 3
Pump
Pushes hot water round your radiators.
Steel & copper - 4
Expansion vessel
A steel tank that handles water pressure.
Steel - 5
Valves & fittings
Taps and connectors under the boiler.
Brass - 6
Pipework
Pipes to the radiators and hot water.
Copper
Three things to check
Disconnected safely
Work on gas fittings must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Your installer usually disconnects and caps off the old boiler when fitting the new one.
Drained
Make sure the boiler and any cylinder have been drained, so nothing leaks in the van. Oil boilers must be fully drained of oil.
Easy to reach
Put it on your driveway or front garden if you can, and you won’t need to be in. If it’s still indoors, say so on the form.
Think an older boiler or flue might contain asbestos? Don’t move or break it. Get advice from a licensed asbestos professional, because collectors can’t take asbestos.
Every type of old boiler
Plus the metal that comes out with it.
Combi boilers
Most common in UK homes
System boilers
With a separate cylinder
Regular boilers
Older heat-only setups
Back boilers
Behind old gas fires
Oil boilers
Disconnected and drained
Hot water cylinders
Copper tanks from airing cupboards
Radiators, copper pipe, brass valves and towel rails can go in the same collection.
Tell us what you’ve got
Boiler type, any cylinder or radiators, and your postcode. It takes under 2 minutes.
A local collector gets in touch
A licensed collector covering your area arranges a time that suits you.
It’s gone
They load it up and take it for recycling. No lifting, no tip run.
Stacking up old boilers at the unit?
Request a collection for the old boilers, cylinders and radiators from your installs. You can also do your waste transfer notes on your phone with the Scrap4Free app, ready for digital waste tracking.
- 🔥 Old boilers from every install
- 🚿 Copper cylinders
- ♨️ Radiators and towel rails
- 📱 Digital waste transfer notes
Frequently asked questions
Is old boiler removal really free?
Yes, in most cases. Old boilers contain valuable metals like copper, brass and steel, so local collectors will usually take them for free. A collector covering your postcode picks it up from your home.
Will the collector disconnect my boiler?
No. Work on gas fittings must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, so your boiler needs to be safely disconnected and capped off before collection. Most installers do this when fitting a new boiler.
Do you take hot water cylinders and radiators too?
Yes. Copper hot water cylinders, radiators, copper pipe and brass valves can all be collected with your old boiler, usually for free.
Can you collect an oil boiler?
Yes, as long as it has been disconnected and drained by a qualified engineer. Collectors can’t take heating oil or oil tanks with oil in them.
What if my old boiler might contain asbestos?
Some older boilers and flues contain asbestos. If you think yours might, don’t break it up or move it. Get advice from a licensed asbestos professional, because collectors can’t take asbestos.
Does the boiler need to be outside?
It helps. Leaving it on your driveway or front garden makes collection quicker, and you don’t need to be home. If it’s still indoors, say so on the request form.
I’m a heating engineer. Can you clear my old boilers?
Yes. Installers can request collections for old boilers, cylinders and radiators. Scrap4Free also has digital waste transfer notes for tradespeople, ready for digital waste tracking.
Are the collectors licensed?
Collectors on Scrap4Free must hold a valid waste carrier registration, which we check against the public register. Scrap metal collectors also need a licence from their local council, and by law scrap metal can’t be paid for in cash in England, Wales or Scotland.
Local page: Free boiler collection in Northampton
Got an old boiler to get rid of?
Tell us what you need collected. It takes less than 2 minutes.
Request a Boiler Collection