Buying a used boiler?

andre_xs

We need a new boiler in the near future (gas, 20-24kW combi boiler) and I was wondering whether it makes sense to look out for a used one?

We regularly see used boilers by people who bought a house and get rid of the old one during major refurbishments. Sometimes, they are actually not that old (2-4 years), so they should still be good. Obviously not going for a boiler which was ripped out because of faults. They're often advertised on our local city facebook group.

Is that a feasible option or is there too much which could go wrong here? For instance dirt getting into the system which then damages the pump or alike?

Best wishes,
Andre

neilmcl

The obvious problem I can see with this is there would be no proof as to whether the boiler was working or had any faults until it was installed and without any warranty you'd be pretty stuffed by then. Also, I'd think you may have trouble finding a decent gas engineer willing to install it for you.

Personally this is something I'd avoid.

PasturesNew

In my opinion, buying a second hand boiler is something for experienced boiler work persons to consider and do for themselves.

As a regular person ... you've no idea what you're doing and it could be life critical that you understand what you're buying and how it's fitted. I added how it's fitted as there are few registered boiler people who would be willing to fit a second hand boiler bought by somebody without knowledge from a stranger....

phill99

You have no idea what you are buying into. You will only know of any faults once you have paid someone to install it and commission it. You will have no warranty on the boiler so next month when it goes wrong you have no comeback other than to pay to get it fixed.


Its a fools errand.

Browntoa

I've always assumed that used boilers were purchased purely for spares. The value of the parts are worth more than the boiler , particularly if you fix boilers for a living

Jonesya

The labour is as expensive, if not more expensive than the boiler and so it won't save that much money but introduces a huge risk that if it fails or develops a fault then you won't have any guarantee or warranty because the installer isn't going to warranty your second hand boiler.

If it's an older mode, it may have spares availability ended sooner.

I'd go for a brand new unit with a long warranty.

andre_xs

Thanks all, that was what I was thinking anyway, but I wanted to be sure...

Brummie85

There are some good budget models about at the moment. I went for an Intergas Rapid and it's doing okay so far.

Reasons I liked them. They are flexible (can be configured as a combi, heat or system boiler etc), have fewer moving parts, will supply hot water even if the heating goes, spare parts seem reasonably priced and although they're a growing brand - they have bene around for a long while and have a decent reputation as well.

Buying a 2nd hand boiler. You'd end up paying for it to be removed, which would easily negate a large chunk of the savings on the equipment. But no warranty and depending on the brand - the parts required to repair it would cost you more then you paid for it.

Undervalued

Jonesya wrote: »

The labour is as expensive, if not more expensive than the boiler and so it won't save that much money but introduces a huge risk that if it fails or develops a fault then you won't have any guarantee or warranty because the installer isn't going to warranty your second hand boiler.

If it's an older mode, it may have spares availability ended sooner.

I'd go for a brand new unit with a long warranty.

It is because boiler replacement has become something of a price fixed racket!

Generally if you find out the cost price of the boiler and allow a generous £100 for sundry materials, you find the installer is earning far, far more per hour that they would get for most other jobs.

The problem is finding a reputable Gas Safe registered fitter who will do it for a sensible hourly rate plus materials at cost.

If the second hand boiler is identical to the one being replaced then it really shouldn't take a skilled person many hours to swap them over. However, even then it would probably be cheaper and quicker just to swap over the necessary parts. However, if it is not identical then I agree it will take just as long (or possible longer) to fit the s/h one as to install something new out of a box.

fred246

When I was getting boiler quotes I found that installers quickly changed when you pointed out to them that their labour charges were a joke. ?3£K "OK well the boiler is £700, flue £100. We have to connect an electric cable, a gas pipe and 2 water pipes. So that's £1200 to put it on the wall and £250 each for the cable and 3 pipes? "OK call it £1300". Their charges are so indefensible that they don't try to defend them.

Risteard

Undervalued wrote: »

It is because boiler replacement has become something of a price fixed racket!

Generally if you find out the cost price of the boiler and allow a generous £100 for sundry materials, you find the installer is earning far, far more per hour that they would get for most other jobs.

The problem is finding a reputable Gas Safe registered fitter who will do it for a sensible hourly rate plus materials at cost.

If the second hand boiler is identical to the one being replaced then it really shouldn't take a skilled person many hours to swap them over. However, even then it would probably be cheaper and quicker just to swap over the necessary parts. However, if it is not identical then I agree it will take just as long (or possible longer) to fit the s/h one as to install something new out of a box.

No business sells materials at cost, because they would actually be making a loss to do so.

Do you think Tesco sell at cost?