stuck with back boiler - modernise?

retrocircles

we plan to sell in 2 years & am slowly trying to pay off debt & modernise the house to make it more sellable.

we have a back boiler with a horrible dated fire. there's nothing wrong with the boiler, the only problem is the date fire in our modern house!

i've done many online searches but can't find anything remotely modern to fit with the back boiler.

anyone ever found one?

ormus

you will be very lucky to get anything to fit. most back boilers/fires came as a package and the were no modern updates available. i can only think of one baxi model that you could update.
and in any case the difference in price between an update and a new combi boiler is not that great. say 1000 as aginst 1500 quid for the combi.
and a new combi is a much more saleable asset.

chickaroonee

we had exactly the same problem as you - and I'm afraid we ended up replacing with a combi boiler. It's an added expense but if you can afford it, much more saleable.

retrocircles

we did consider just ripping it out & going for a modern system, but we have no room in the kitchen for a combi - where they seem to stick all boilers these days!

ormus

we had the same problem. we ended up installing it in the spare bedroom, inside a built in wardrobe.

dander

I agree that getting a modern boiler would make the house much more sellable than keeping the back boiler. The new condensing boilers are far more energy efficient than back boilers so mean a considerable saving on fuel bills. Back boilers, meanwhile, are one of the most inefficient types.

I think a back boiler would be a negative in any buyers mind, with or without modern fire on the front.

Barneysmom

Do they make modern back boilers, I'd love one with a proper stove.

moneypudden

Your question is one i've started investigating myself, although i'm in no immediate hurry because both boiler and firefront are fine. Building Regulations state that any new boiler (whether or not it replaces an existing unit) should have at least a SEDBUK Band B rating. However, where the installation of a condensing boiler would be impractical or excessively costly, exceptions to the Building Regulations may apply. That I think ought to be your starting point, and I assume you've already contacted your boiler manufacturer about replacement firefronts? Mine for example (Baxi Bermuda) continues to offer these. You don't state the manufacturer of your fire, but may find the following merchant of use to locate a new fire front-
http://www.discountedheating.co.uk/shop/acatalog/

Should you still be stuck and want to consider a boiler replacement, as you already have a back boiler, your installer should be able to use most of your existing pipework. However, always consult a CORGI registered installer to advise you on both the timescales and the level of work involved. To find out if your property is suitable for a non-condensing boiler, an assessment needs to be carried out under the 'Condensing Boiler Installation Assessment Procedure' which your installer or gas supplier should be able to advise upon.

Personally, as your prime motivator is to make your house more saleable i'd concentrate on presentation and see how you get on first. If someone really likes the property or location they'll buy it anyway and arrange conversion work themselves later. Our house had no central heating when we bought it 18 years ago, but its location, character, large garden and accessibility to good schools and the town centre were key selling points for us. Good luck!

EliteHeat

moneypudden wrote: »

To find out if your property is suitable for a non-condensing boiler, an assessment needs to be carried out under the 'Condensing Boiler Installation Assessment Procedure' which your installer or gas supplier should be able to advise upon.

I can do the exemption assessment for you right now, assuming you live in England.

If you live in anything other than a flat then you cannot be exempted.

If you do live in a flat, it is very unlikely that you can be exempted.

If you can be exempted, the last Baxi back boilers could be specified with quite nice inset coal effect gas fires. Very expensive and still a back boiler after all is said and done.

P.S. Take all estimates on price (such as £1500) with a huge pinch of salt. It is time consuming and awkward to remove a back boiler, cleanse and ready the system for a combi. I cannot off the top of my head think of anything that can be installed properly and legally for that sort of money. If you need a vertical flue then get ready for a shock.