back boilers

chickster_2

hi we have brought a house a mid terrace (its our first) it has central heating but is run by a back boiler if that makes sence

all rooms have radiators

is this a good thing to have, back boiler, are should we start saving a lot of pennies to put a new one in ??

pboae

If it's not that old, they aren't too bad. They aren't very efficient, and you do need to be careful about regular servicing and making sure the vent in the room is clear, in case of CO2 poisoning. Long term, you'll need to think about replacing it. You cannot get them fitted any more (because they are less efficient than condensing boilers) and parts are becoming more scarce. But short term, if it works and your gas bills are reasonable, then it doesn't have to be top of your list.

Skiduck

you can find out the nett efficiency of you existing boiler here:

http://www.sedbuk.com/cgi-local/searchpg.cgi

it may help you to consider any possible savings.

Jimbo333_2

pboae wrote:

If it's not that old, they aren't too bad. They aren't very efficient, and you do need to be careful about regular servicing and making sure the vent in the room is clear, in case of CO2 poisoning. Long term, you'll need to think about replacing it. You cannot get them fitted any more (because they are less efficient than condensing boilers) and parts are becoming more scarce. But short term, if it works and your gas bills are reasonable, then it doesn't have to be top of your list.

Are you sure about the CO2 poisoning? I thought the risk with boilers was just from CO? (I could be wrong).

FirstClassMale

I think someone is getting a little confused as to what a back boiler is. It works by sitting at the back of an open fire and heats the water much as a pan of water on a hob is heated. Incidentally, CO (carbon monoxide) is a poisonous gas. CO2 (carbon dioxide) is not poisonous but can result in suffocation if it displaces enough oxygen from your breathing space. Otherwise, people would drop dead every time they drank a bottle of coke.

The OP was asking as to the efficiency. Well, the main drawback is that it wont heat the water unless the fire is lit. Most systems using a back boiler have an electric immersion heater to heat water other times but they are very expensive to run.

Dandirt

.....unless, of course, it's a gas fired back boiler - such as a Baxi Bermuda BBU.

I think most old 'uns would refer to a "back boiler " as a small iron or copper tank which sits at the back of a coal fire - sometimes available as a "wrap round" appliance which could typically heat up to five radiators (bloody 'ell - haven't fitted one for years - wonder if they still make 'em?)

Most young 'uns would probably say it was a gas boiler which sits in a fireplace opening at the back of a gas fire eg Baxi Bermuda.

I can't imagine that the OP was referring to a coal fire, I mean, all that getting up on a frosty winters morn to "make the fire" - would you really need to ask?

If, as I suspect, it's the latter then they tend to rumble on inefficiently for donkeys years, hardly ever needing a repair but a regular annual maintenance check up is absolutely essential cos they can be very dangerous if neglected.

FirstClassMale

That would certainly make more sense. I stand corrected and do now feel rather old.

Cardew

FirstClassMale wrote:

That would certainly make more sense. I stand corrected and do now feel rather old.

You surely don't have to be that old to remember your parents or grandparents houses with the solid fuel back boiler, even if it didn't supply radiators it supplied hot water.

pboae

Jimbo333 wrote:

Are you sure about the CO2 poisoning? I thought the risk with boilers was just from CO? (I could be wrong).

You are quite right, I meant Carbon Monoxide, it was just a typo.

I have a gas fire and Baxi in the dining/kitchen chimney, where the old coal fire and back boiler used to be. But hopefully I'll be able to get rid of the Baxi in the next couple of years.

EDIT: to add, a house a few doors up was sold last year, complete with original back boiler, tin bath and no indoor loo. I wish I'd at least gone to view it to see what these houses used to look like.

f107btx

EDIT: to add, a house a few doors up was sold last year, complete with original back boiler, tin bath and no indoor loo. I wish I'd at least gone to view it to see what these houses used to look like.

My house was like that 1967 when I moved in
To see one similar visit Beamish Museam County Durham

AceCobra

My House is 18 years old (less than 1 to us) and Has OFCH but also a fully working baxi back boiler and open fire. As old as these things sound I have to say they are very handy. We have used the open fire more for the look of it than anything else but on discovering it heats some Rads/water what a bonus. We have felled a huge tree and the wood will feed the open fire over the winter hopefully.

Dont get me wrong I understand that these are really not cost effetive any more but if but the option is nice

Martin.