Gas boiler venting through chimney and other questions...

chubsta

I had a new boiler fitted approx 12 years ago, it is a gas boiler that supplies my heating and hot water, i have a hot water tank, and an expansion tank and cold-water tank in the loft. The boiler is situated in the middle of the house and currently vents straight upwards through my chimney via a liner. I am thinking that the boiler probably doesn't have too many years left in it, although i do get it serviced once a year.

I would like to change the boiler before it breaks, possible for a combo-boiler to get rid of the hot-water tank etc.

The ideal place for the boiler is where it is, out of the way in an old chimney breast in the middle of the house, where it can vent straight up the lined chimney.

Would i be able to replace the boiler where it is? Obviously all the pipework is there.

So, following loads of research which just seems to confuse me can any, hopefully CORGI-registsred gas fitters or anyone who really does know the answers, give me some definitives on the following please?

1. I am aware that there have been changes to the rules on venting up chimneys since mine was fitted, but I live in a bungalow so the roof level is not particularly high, can they still be vented through the correctly lined chimney if below a certain length in a single feed and if so what is the length?

2. New boilers have to be condensing, I would need to get a pump to send the waste up through the kitchen ceiling and then to outside - is this a simple job and if so how much would it cost approximately?

3. Bearing in mind the answers to 1 and 2, if I need it relocating then there is space in what is now an upstairs hallway (We have done a loft-conversion on the bungalow) very close to the cold-water tank which is in the remaining loft-space - is this extremely complicated pipe-work wise of would it be relatively easy considering there is a mains cold-water feed already there and is just to the side of the chimney stack above the boiler?

The best scenario for me would be to just unplug the old boiler and stick a new one in where it sits already (on the floor) but will be getting quotes from a few companies, I would just like to be fore-armed if someone says I can't do such and such for some reason...

Any and all advice gratefully received!!

southcoastrgi

I hope you don't get a corgi registered engineer to service it every year because it's been Gas Safe since 2009

What is your existing boiler make & model ?

FreeBear

southcoastrgi wrote: »

What is your existing boiler make & model ?

If it is an old Baxi Burmuda, there is (or rather, was) a condensing back boiler replacement from Baxi - Confusing called a Baxi Bermuda BBU. Unfortunately, they have discontinued it within the last few weeks so it is no longer a viable option.

Pity, as I had been considering using it to replace my old Bermuda.

southcoastrgi

It was discontinued more than a few weeks ago, plus it didn't have a gas fire front option only an electric fire

chubsta

southcoastrgi wrote: »

I hope you don't get a corgi registered engineer to service it every year because it's been Gas Safe since 2009

What is your existing boiler make & model ?

didn't know that, however i get it serviced by British Gas so Im sure I'm ok!

It is a Kingfisher MF.

I got BG round for a quote yesterday and they said i would have to move the boiler as they don't do any models that vent up chimneys, a quote for a new combi (Worcester Grecnstar 29cdi) moved into the airing cupboard, vented vertically up through the loft and the roof, condensing pump etc, all came to £4800. That obviously involved rerouting of pipework including a new gas feed from outside, so although expensive every step was explained to me and seemed pretty reasonable - will now get some quotes from local fitters and see what they say.

I guess Im going to have to bite the bullet and accept the boiler can't stay where it is...

southcoastrgi

If it ain't broke don't fix it, I would just save your money & wait until BG say they are no longer gonna cover the repairs, yes you will save money on your gas bill with a new boiler but by the time you have saved what you have spent out on a new boiler it will be time to replace it again, if you are going to have to move it then isn't there somewhere on an outside wall to fit it ? This will save money on a vertical flue & condense pump, yes an independent will be cheaper than BG

chubsta

southcoastrgi wrote: »

If it ain't broke don't fix it, I would just save your money & wait until BG say they are no longer gonna cover the repairs, yes you will save money on your gas bill with a new boiler but by the time you have saved what you have spent out on a new boiler it will be time to replace it again, if you are going to have to move it then isn't there somewhere on an outside wall to fit it ? This will save money on a vertical flue & condense pump, yes an independent will be cheaper than BG

At the moment everything is working fine - it had to be repaired under the Homeserve thing about a year ago - the part (a solenoid) cost £200 so at least i have got my moneys worth out of the cover.
When my last boiler broke irrepairably it was at the beginning of December and it was a real pain to get it replaced as it seemed everyones boilers had broken and the companies were too busy so i had to wait weeks, i really don't want that to happen again so am trying to get sorted in advance what my options are as I also need to know how much it will cost as don't want to be stuck with having to pay on a CC or anything, i prefer to save money in advance for this sort of thing if possible. If I know it is going to be £xxxx then i can just save up and get it replaced when it is convenient and not have to worry about it for hopefully many years! A bit like getting a new car when you start to have a gut-feeling that your current one is reaching the end of its life...

The current boiler seems to be ok, the BG said there is a 'trade-in' for old inefficient boilers but when he checked my model he was surprised to find it was quite efficient and unfortunately didn't count for the rebate. Also, i have got an independent fitter coming to give a quote in a few weeks and when i told him the model of existing boiler he said it was a very good one and very simple in operation, because of this he said they very rarely fail as they aren't full of pcbs like the modern ones.

I would prefer the boiler on an outside wall but it isn't really feasible as the kitchen and diner are all windows and cabinets, and it is a converted bungalow so the upstairs is very awkward too. The move to an adjacent airing cupboard where it is at least out of the way does seem the best option.

Will be interesting to see what the independent makes of it - it is a local firm with a good reputation and i have been very impressed with what they have said so far, i would imagine most small companies are better than BG and at least I have the BG itemised quote to compare to.

southcoastrgi

BG will give you a £400 boiler discount, unfortunately they are normally a lot more expensive than an independent so the £400 means nothing, depending on your exact model it will be D or E rated 70-79% efficient when new, personally I don't like WB boilers