28 year old gas boiler

givememoney

Cardew wrote:

My Ideal boiler is 18 years old(a mere youngster) but I have had a letter saying that parts might not be possible to obtain in future.

The problem is, that from what I have read, the expected life of modern boilers(as you say stuffed full of electronics) is about 10 years.

The Daily Telegraph ran an article saying you should budget for a replacement every decade. The point they were making was that modern E7 storage heating was an economic proposition(particularly for smaller properties) when you take into account replacement boiler costs and annual servicing which can be approx 400 pounds a year.

Servicing, what's that. Our old thing hasn't even had one of those in 28 years. The new thermocouplers were replaced by husband and also the pump.

Even if we went over to storage heaters we'd still have to heat the water, what would we do for that?

gazza975526570

givememoney wrote:

Servicing, what's that. Our old thing hasn't even had one of those in 28 years. The new thermocouplers were replaced by husband and also the pump.

Even if we went over to storage heaters we'd still have to heat the water, what would we do for that?

Trust you have a carbon monoxide tester knocking about?!

JonathanA

We certainly have - it was the first thing we bought when we moved in - given that we knew nothing of the history of the boiler / servicing etc. I'm fairly confident that before we moved here, our boiler had never been serviced before.

tamste

Modern Boiler life 10 years ....eeeeek

Had our system installed 12 years ago Potterton Prima-1, never had it serviced and its working fine. Average gas usage year to year does not vary and the flame is still a nice blue colour. Hope its not about to die.

givememoney

gazza975526570 wrote:

Trust you have a carbon monoxide tester knocking about?!

Er! no. It does have an outside flue though. I guess we should get one, you've got me worried now.

gazza975526570

Seriously do yourselves a favour and go and buy one tommorow

Cardew

givememoney wrote:

Servicing, what's that. Our old thing hasn't even had one of those in 28 years. The new thermocouplers were replaced by husband and also the pump.

Even if we went over to storage heaters we'd still have to heat the water, what would we do for that?

I wasn’t advocating storage heaters, but quoting the expected 10 year life from the Telegraph expert; which ties up with other reports I have read. That said there certainly is a case for modern storage heating systems.

However if you had storage heaters, you would heat the water on E7 by immersion heater.

I understand it is mandatory for landlords to have an annual check of all gas appliances. So if you are not going to get safety checks carried I would completely agree with Gazza above about a carbon monoxide detector(they are cheaper than a canary*!) and would get one anyway regardless of your servicing.

Also outside flues can get blocked.

* Assuming canaries are susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning!

dunholme

My concern with gas is twofold. Firstly gas is dangerous. Secondly these new boilers are okay until they go wrong; in which case they usually cost a lot of money to fix (PCBs are around £400+ to fix).

When you consider that boiler manufacturers only give a 2-year warranty and an expected lifetime of 10(ish) years, you would be better with electric! Especially when you consider that an annual inspection/service contract costs around £150 - which is a fair amount of electric!

moonrakerz

I'm a cynic by nature and my cynicism goes into overdrive concerning central heating boilers.
Change it every ten years, get a "modern" one, get it serviced twice a year - oh really !

Whilst not matching some of the venerable machines mentioned already, my oil-fired Trianco is in its 21st year and still going strong. I get it serviced every 2/3 years, 'cos oil is a bit "muckier" than gas. My "man" says as long as he can get bits for it - usually just burner nozzles - keep it running !
I have just paid £600 to fill my oil tank, unless we get a really long hard winter that will last me 12 months, heating a 4 bed house & hot water. Looking at the prices people have quoted for a new "efficient" boiler I would be crazy to spend that sort of money if I don't have to.

Bit of simple maths: IF my old boiler is only 50% efficient I am "wasting" £300 a year. With a 90 % efficient modern condensing bolier I would only waste £60 a year. Saving £240 per year so far ! I have spent £2000 + for the new boiler - I can easily get 5% on that cash - that's another £100. Saving now £140 per year. Many modern boilers need to be serviced twice a year, undoubtedly costing a lot more than my old-fashioned one, say £75 a year more. Savings now £65 a year. Then replace that new boiler after ten years.

I should coco !

Cardew

moonrakerz wrote:

I'm a cynic by nature and my cynicism goes into overdrive concerning central heating boilers.
Change it every ten years, get a "modern" one, get it serviced twice a year - oh really !

Whilst not matching some of the venerable machines mentioned already, my oil-fired Trianco is in its 21st year and still going strong. I get it serviced every 2/3 years, 'cos oil is a bit "muckier" than gas. My "man" says as long as he can get bits for it - usually just burner nozzles - keep it running !
I have just paid £600 to fill my oil tank, unless we get a really long hard winter that will last me 12 months, heating a 4 bed house & hot water. Looking at the prices people have quoted for a new "efficient" boiler I would be crazy to spend that sort of money if I don't have to.

Bit of simple maths: IF my old boiler is only 50% efficient I am "wasting" £300 a year. With a 90 % efficient modern condensing bolier I would only waste £60 a year. Saving £240 per year so far ! I have spent £2000 + for the new boiler - I can easily get 5% on that cash - that's another £100. Saving now £140 per year. Many modern boilers need to be serviced twice a year, undoubtedly costing a lot more than my old-fashioned one, say £75 a year more. Savings now £65 a year. Then replace that new boiler after ten years.

I should coco !

I would agree with your reasoning.

I don't think the discussion was about replacing the boiler for economic reasons, but rather anticipating that it will not be able to be repaired because parts are not available.

I will keep mine going for as long as I can as well.