Replacing back boiler system

nicimaxwell

Sorry if there's already a thread on this.

So my husband and I are considering buying a 1970s terraced house. It still has its original back boiler. The current owners say they've never had any problems with it.

My questions are....

How long is this boiler likely to last before packing up?

Is it terribly inefficient to run?

Can I replace it with another back boiler? Hw much would this likely be and would it be worth it?

Could I replace it with a combi system and would this be worth while? How much would this likely cost?

We are not entitled to any benefits or anything but we are aware that after buying our first property we are going to be skint!!! Can you still get mortgages with an add on for home improvements?

alleycat`

I doubt you can still get mortgages that will "tack on" additional money for project renovations.

There is no guarantee you'd spend the money on the house and even if you did, outlay doesn't always equal recoverable value.

My initial thoughts would be to get as much information from the people moving out.

How they use it, how much it consumes / costs to run, etc.

I'd then try and live with it over this winter and see how that works out so long as it is in a safe condition.

Do you know when it was last looked at?

The reality is that Only a proper "eyes on the job" would confirm how long it will continue to go and if it is safe.

Yes, you can still get replacement back boilers and yes they will be more efficient. The cost to replace v's time to recoup the outlay will be years if at all.

Yes, you probably could replace it with a.n.other system, such as a combi, but again you'd need someone in to look at the job, check you have high enough water flow rates, etc.

Personally, i'd go with what works until you get settled in unless you are planning on gutting the place from the get go.

In which case it might be wise to do it whilst the property is empty.

100% non committal post

highrisklowreturn

Keep it till it fails. All solid fuel systems are less efficient than gas or oil equivalents. However, where the latter may be more efficient, the former, being run from coal, is cheaper.

For example, if I burn one tonne of coal in a year, it costs £200 at wholesale price. If I can get by on 900 litres, it will easily cost up to £550-600. Where would the point be in terms of efficiency in using an oil system over s coal system? The solid fuel system would have to be utterly useless to justify having oil.

Having run oil up to 5 months ago to replace entirely with a glass fronted fire words cannot express how happy I am to be shot of it. Now I'm sitting in front of a warm fire, with a kitten curled up, eating buns and drinking tea.