Back boiler instead of combi

McTaggus

They're pretty reliable - my mum's has been going 40 years

chelseablue

Mother in Law had a back boiler until last year. She only had it removed because she was getting rid of the fireplace altogether.


Now she's got a combi boiler in the kitchen.

TBagpuss

I think they are generally pretty reliable as they are simple. I moved house 2 years ago and the house had a back boiler. I got it replaced with a combi boiler, but I only got it done immediately because I was planning a lot of redecorating and wanted to ensure I paid for the boiler first, and also that any mess and hassle came before, not after, the redecoration.

I believe the old one was about 40 years old. It still worked, although the new one is much more efficient and cheaper to run.

Removing it created surprisingly little mess (or perhaps I was lucky with my engineer!) and very little hassle.

I'd suggest that you budget to replace it in the near future. Get a couple of quotes, as the cost may vary a lot depending on whether and how much you need to move pipes, and that will depend on where you put the new boiler.

glasgowdan

stator wrote: »

That's very cheap, I can hardly believe it. Where was the back boiler?

I know. Back boiler behind the living room fireplace. They removed boiler and fireplace and bricked up the gap, then put in the new boiler in the kitchen. Lots of new pipes, he was under the floor drilling through the wall for it etc. That was in 2011 and it's all been good. A 25kw vokera.

Smodlet

Hi,

Our current combi is almost dead, only 11 years old, if that so we have to get a new one. No-one will install the old style ones with a tank, do I miss those!

Is there anyone who can tell me anything about British Gas installers putting in a new boiler, please? I have been thoroughly put off Helplink by the info on the forum, so thanks for the warning, guys.

Any help would be gratefully received. Thanks.

glasgowdan

Don't use British Gas, unless you actually want to throw at least £1500 down the toiler, flush and watch it drain away.

Smodlet

Thanks for that, could you please elaborate?

stator

Because British Gas are a big brand name they overcharge people.
Most old people have traditionally just called "The gas board" and gone with them. Because people don't shop around the price is usually high and you can get a much better deal elsewhere.

glasgowdan

Smodlet wrote: »

Thanks for that, could you please elaborate?

Get 3 quotes, two from small local firms and one from british gas. You'll see. The small companies will likely do as good if not better a job than BG.

patman99

It is possible to still have an immersion tank with a combi-boiler. My workmate moved into a newbuild 10 years back that had a combi boiler AND an electric immersion heater.

Anyway, when I compare the gas bills of my f-in-l (2-bed victorian terrace with combi-boiler) with those of my mum (3 bed semi with back boiler) my mum's bills are half my f-in-l's.

Also, when my local Council updated the boilers in their properties to combi boilers, they fitted electric power showers in the bathroooms so that people could shower without the central heating shutting down (which is exactley what should happen with a combi.).