Take out 10yr old Baxi backboiler and replace with combi?

rj1000

Hi all,

We're currently arranging quotes for some renovation work we're having carried out on an old house we've just bought.

As part of these works, we want to create some extra space in one of the upstairs bedrooms by taking out the hot water tank in one of the cupboards, and knocking out the chimney, which also contains the backboiler at ground floor level.

We would then install a combi boiler in the kitchen as part of the extension works we are having carried out here. I should also add that we are moving the bathroom from it's current position at the front of the house to the back where it would sit above the new kitchen (saving on pipes once combi boiler installed?).

My query is, a combi boiler will obviously be more efficient (I assume!) but I feel i'm chucking money down the drain by getting rid of a backboiler in good condition and not that old. But then, if we kept the backboiler we would have to retain the hot water tank and couldn't move the chimney either.

Anyone know of a solution to this which would be cheaper than ripping out the backboiler and fitting a combi. I'm guessing there isn't as you would need a chimney all the way up to the roof if there was a backboiler at ground floor level (we're not fussed about the space on the ground floor, just upstairs) and you wouldn't be able to remove the hot water tank (or can this go in the loft?).

I should add that it's a semi and the chimney is on the side which is attached to next door.

Apologies for the waffle, any help appreciated.

Thanks

R

Canucklehead

[QUOTE=rj1000;30308169

Anyone know of a solution to this which would be cheaper than ripping out the backboiler and fitting a combi. I'm guessing there isn't as you would need a chimney all the way up to the roof if there was a backboiler at ground floor level.

R[/QUOTE]


Given the work you intend to do and the space you want to create I would say that just about sums it up.
Sorry.

suisidevw

We had same predicament but just kept the Baxi for the time being, it's been spot on in the 7 months we've been living there!

Owain_Moneysaver

You might be able to put the hot water tank in the loft, but it would be a lot of effort for very little gain.

You could, however, put the combi boiler in the loft subject to certain considerations (floors, guard rail around floor area, lighting etc.)

brig001

Since your gas and water main might not be up to having a combi (get them checked before you go ahead), why not just move the tank downstairs? Your system would need to be converted to fully pumped, but I believe it can be done. I personally would avoid putting the tank in the loft, as any losses are free heat in winter. If you did put a combi in the loft, consider building an insulated cupboard for it to stop the frost stat cycling the boiler all winter.

ormus

sell the baxi complete with the back boiler. still plenty of buyers for those.
just for the spares if nowt else.
our new combi is far more efficient than our old baxi system.

dander

Not helping on the main question, but when you get quotes for removing the old system, make sure you make it clear that you will also want to remove the chimney because there's a lot of pipes using that which will have to come out. The system currently starts from your chimney area, so there may be some additional re-routing required to completely clear that area of pipework. Also it may affect how/where they cap the gas off in that area, so make sure you discuss right from the outset what you want to be left with to avoid any misunderstandings.

swiftandsure

Just wondering but you are aware that taking down a chimney breast is a massive undertaking and unless done professionally can be dangerous? Chimney stacks are extremely heavy things and need lots of support.

economiser

I replaced our Baxi nearly 10 years ago. It was 27 years old and had failed only once in that time, a DIY job to replace thermostat. Replaced it with Combi. Bad decision. Combi (Vaillant) has had 6 breakdowns, 4 breakdowns in last 5 years, fan failure, pressure vessel failure, diverter valve failure and programmer failure. Efficiency savings (less than 10% going on the gas meter readings) cancelled out by repair costs.