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new boiler needed - back to combi

HI all,

We have recently moved into a house with a back boiler, I think around 25 years old.

Recently it has been failing to ignite, and is just making a clicking sound until that stops, then nothing.

With it being so old I wouldn't mind changing it to a combi, however with just moving in and adjusting to home ownership, funds are a little low.

forking out 2-3k would leave my safety net a little lower than Id like so Id like to explore the option of a pay monthly boiler. I understand over time I will be paying more, but at present Id rather that, than forking out a lump sum.

Does anyone have any recommendations, or any do's and donts?

Many thanks.

Comments

  • tacpot12
    tacpot12 Posts: 9,527 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 22 June 2017 at 10:45PM
    If I were you, I would apply for a zero percent purchase credit card to use as my 'safety net', and spend your current cash 'safety net' on the boiler. If you don't have a problem, it has cost nothing, and if you have a problem you are not paying interest to borrow money you need, providing you pay it off before the interest free period ends.

    You will save a lot of money as you can take the best quote rather than being limited to the few companies that offer a pay monthly option.
    The comments I post are my personal opinion. While I try to check everything is correct before posting, I can and do make mistakes, so always try to check official information sources before relying on my posts.
  • southcoastrgi
    southcoastrgi Posts: 6,298 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I also think you may have to increase your budget for a bbu to combi conversion
    I'm only here while I wait for Corrie to start.

    You get no BS from me & if I think you are wrong I WILL tell you.
  • dancing_star
    dancing_star Posts: 315 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper
    I agree, I think you need to increase budget
    I'm going to be having same done (I didn't even know what a back boiler was!) and the builders reckon about £4.5k
    Get some quotes!
  • Niv
    Niv Posts: 2,616 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    sean20169 wrote: »
    HI all,

    We have recently moved into a house with a back boiler, I think around 25 years old.

    Recently it has been failing to ignite, and is just making a clicking sound until that stops, then nothing.

    With it being so old I wouldn't mind changing it to a combi, however with just moving in and adjusting to home ownership, funds are a little low.

    forking out 2-3k would leave my safety net a little lower than Id like so Id like to explore the option of a pay monthly boiler. I understand over time I will be paying more, but at present Id rather that, than forking out a lump sum.

    Does anyone have any recommendations, or any do's and donts?

    Many thanks.


    I would be buying a new flint before I replaced a very reliable boiler type.
    YNWA

    Target: Mortgage free by 58.
  • Grenage
    Grenage Posts: 3,222 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    As above, why change a boiler that could possibly be fixed for a few quid?
  • Owain_Moneysaver
    Owain_Moneysaver Posts: 11,393 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Get the back boiler serviced and the ignition fixed.

    These boilers must be serviced every year for safety. If the jets are sooted up then the gas may not be getting to the igniter, but there is also a serious risk of incomplete combustion leading to carbon monoxide.

    Also get a carbon monoxide detector.

    Once the boiler is fixed it will probably be very reliable. Horribly inefficient (not helped by having a massive hole in the wall as an air vent), but reliable.
    A kind word lasts a minute, a skelped erse is sair for a day.
  • I got quoted 6k for a new combi but that is including all piping, radiators (2 bed flat) and removing current system.
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