Replacing back boiler - costs & benefits?

meanmum

We are looking to buy a 1960's 3 bed semi with the CH running from a back boiler behind the rather dated gas fire in the front room. Our first thought is to replace this with a combi boiler, so we can remove the gas fire & hot water tank. However the combi boiler will need to be at the back of the house, ideally in the utility behind the garage - we are now realising how much new pipe work we'll need, for both the CH & the kitchen & bathroom plumbing......the bathroom is not above the kitchen either, so I can see this is going to get pricey. We might as well replace all the radiators while we're at it.
Any advice? Any ideas on cost of all the replumbing work? I was reckoning about £4k for a totally new heating system. Thanks.

r2015

I was reckoning about £4k for a totally new heating system.

Try doubling that to get a better idea.

meanmum

R2015, does that £8k suggestion include all the replumbing?
I meant £4k for a "standard" CH fit. I realise I'd need to add all the replumbing & removal of back boiler etc. to this.
Is leaving the system as it is a realistic option (assuming boiler running fine & well serviced) or does the efficiency argument make it worth doing anyway?

booty40uk

£4K to £4.5k ballpark without seeing the job.


£8k from British Gash

r2015

I've just paid over £6500 to replace my warm air heating with a combi and radiators in a 3 bed semi with the boiler in the old airing cupboard.


You mentioned extra plumbing as well as replacing the back boiler.


Then again, it all depends on where you stay as to what things cost.

karmacookie

I'm not replacing my back boiler until it dies as like you it would be a nightmare with all the repiping and I'd lose a cupboard in the kitchen. My boiler is 25 years old and has been regularly serviced so hopefully it will be fine for a while yet. The guy that serviced it last year said it was in good condition and that these boilers are 'bombproof'

Dad has a back boiler too and his is 35 years old and still working

Another option to consider is this

http://www.baxi.co.uk/baxi-offers-advice-if-you-have-an-old-back-boiler-in-your-home.htm

We did replace some radiators last year to update them to ones with TRVs and had the heating system flushed through, it didn't cost too much.

I like my hot tank, we have solar power and a gadget that redirects power to the tank if we are generating more than we are using, so free hot water!

meanmum

R2015, we are in Cheshire.
Although just replacing the back boiler with a modern one sounds a good solution (as long as you can find somewhere to drain to), I read somewhere that Baxi no longer do the condensing back boiler - can any professionals on here confirm that (& why?)
I get what you say, why replace something that's working fine, & could still do for many years - although I've no idea how old it is (would need an expert to take a look). However as we'd be doing a complete refurb (new kitchen & bathroom, redecorate, new flooring) it seems more sensible to bite the bullet now. We're also not keen on keeping the gas fire, and realise we are stuck with that as part of the system (& I believe Baxi no longer do the pricey replacement fire fronts).
Sounds like we should budget for somewhere between £6-8k for effectively a completely new CH system, plus the replumbing to kitchen & bathroom from resited boiler, plus removal of all the old stuff.
Thanks all for the advice.

southcoastrgi

No they don't do a bbu anymore

Dina

We're also facing this question. If it's likely that the boiler could keep on going for years more, the only incentive seems to be raising the efficiency. BG told us our boiler is about 60% efficient now. Surely that makes it worth getting the new boiler?