New Boiler / Back Boiler

Wine_of_the_World

We are about to move into a home with a back boiler. Its not been serviced for at least 20 years, so we planned to remove and replace it with a combi.


However the more I research, the more I hear about how reliable back boilers are. I am now thinking of leaving it where it is. Our big, big concern is safety; can these types of boilers be serviced and pass a gas safety check, even if they haven't been accessed for years - I'm not even sure how this can be accessed - does the gas fire need to be removed and then put back on?


Thank you

BristolS

They are reliable but not very efficient.
They can be serviced by a gas safer registered person with fires on their card. Best to explain the situation first though.
Get a carbon monoxide alarm for that room!

Wine_of_the_World

Yes, we are getting a carbon monoxide alarm, would still get it serviced though.


In a few years we would replace it, but are quite stretched at the moment, and removing the boiler would lead to a whole host of new DIY projects.

JustinR1979

Mine must be 40 years old.
Had it serviced a year or 2 back after at least 5 years of no service.
No issues or anything, even filter thing was pretty clean, and I have a cat.
£50 and an hour later it's all good.
My last quarterly gas bill was about £30, and that's with the pilot light on 24/7.
To be fair in the summer, the temperature along with the heat pilot gives, don't need it on for a shower.
In my situation a new boiler would take over 20 years to pay for itself with savings, do they last that long these days?

cyclonebri1

They always say the most economical boiler is the 1 you already have, with the proviso it is working correctly of course.

And yes, the gas fire will simple be held in place with 2 or 4 screws and is easily removed for service. Get it done and see how it goes before you spend, it's quite a major plumbing exercise as the pipework and arrangement are completely different and will need major re-routing, ie, it may be more expensive than you think.

unclebulgaria

I'd get it serviced and try and make sure you get it serviced regularly as its an open flued appliance and will easily cause CO poisonising or death if its blocked or running poorly. If its running well keep it but save for a new one. They usually burst on the heat exchanger when its time is up and as cyclonebri says its a reasonably big job to change over.

ed110220

One thing that is often overlooked with these is that they do require a lot of ventilation, which can be pretty unpleasantly draughty in winter. Certainly our front room gets uncomfortably draughty in cold weather as the boiler basically needs a big hole in the wall if its not to poison you with carbon monoxide.

That would be my main reason for replacing it.