Moving boiler to the attic

gazman100

Hi all. I live in a 1930s house which has an (old, think late 90s) combi boiler in one of the bedrooms, which I'd really like to move, and guess at the same time replace. Looking online one option seems to be to move into the attic. Currently there isn't great access and it isn't boarded out, but I'm thinking off doing that anyway for extra storage.  Has anyone got any experience doing this and it is as easy as suggested online?

The other option would be the kitchen but I think that would involve taking up a relatively new tiled floor, and also going through the concrete floor underneath.

Thanks
Gazman

kobe84

Personally I'd go for the kitchen and get in a heat engineer to advise what needs doing in terms of routing pipework etc. Not sure why you think you'd need to dig up the kitchen floor. Fitting in the loft is only advisable if the loft is done up so the boiler is fully accessible for installation and importantly servicing, plus you have to think of where the flue and condensate is going to exit the property. 

gazman100

Thanks for that - interesting feedback. I think I'll call someone out as you say and see with advise with regards putting in the kitchen. I assumed they'd need to take up the floor to route the pipes but shows how little I know!

Cheers

FreeBear

The further away from the kitchen/bathroom the combi-boiler is, the longer you have to run the taps to get hot water. Each time you run the HW taps, you are wasting both water and gas. Moving the boiler closer to the point of use will save a small amount of gas - Not a huge amount, but with the way prices are going, every little saving helps.

Section62

FreeBear said:

The further away from the kitchen/bathroom the combi-boiler is, the longer you have to run the taps to get hot water. Each time you run the HW taps, you are wasting both water and gas. Moving the boiler closer to the point of use will save a small amount of gas - Not a huge amount, but with the way prices are going, every little saving helps.

This^.

Also, I'd be thinking about what the future holds for home/water heating, and how I'd arrange things with a heat pump instead of a gas boiler.  There's no point paying a lot to install pipework to one location if the next new 'boiler' is going to have to be a heat pump installed elsewhere in the house.  On the face of it the loft isn't likely to be a great location for either a heat pump, nor a hot water storage tank.

For similar reasons I'd think twice about spending money on a new combi if the old one is still serviceable and safe ....although it might be difficult to find a plumber/heating engineer willing to relocate an old boiler rather than fitting a brand new one.

BUFF

gazman100 said:

 I assumed they'd need to take up the floor to route the pipes but shows how little I know!

Mine runs under the kitchen cabinets just behind the (removable) plinth.

koalakoala

We got a new boiler last year, and they suggested putting it in the loft.
I declined, as I couldn’t see myself in my old age wanting to go up to the loft to check the boiler etc. Got it put in a hall cupboard as I didn’t want it in kitchen.

skycatcher

Got a new boiler fitted in the hot press last year but due to structure of house there was a vibration/noise that i couldn't live with. So after a lot of attempts to suppress the annoyance they moved it to the loft ( and fitted a ladder and floored the are to the boiler. Yes it takes 40 secs to get hot water in the kitchen but the house is silent.

Bendy_House

Hi Gazman. At least your decision will be very informed  :-)

Reasons for putting a boiler in the loft:

1) It's ugly, so will be out of the way, and won't take up valuable space.

2) That's about it, I think.

Reasons for not putting it in the loft:

1) The loft needs to be boarded out properly, have safe access, and be well lit.

2) It might cost a bit more to do.

3) Oh, the hot pipe run will likely be longer, so extra delay in getting DHW to its main use - the kitchen sink. Very good point FB. If, however, it's fitted somewhere above the kitchen area, then the difference should be minimal, and it might even be more central to the rest of the house's needs. 

4) Access to check the boiler is more awkward, but a remote filling valve and pressure gauge will help mitigate. Adjusting settings will still require a creaky ascent, tho'.

I think the main reason folk would entertain doing this is because kitchen/utility space is limited. Or that it cannot be hid inside a unit/cupboard - they are supremely ugly devices. I will never ever ever have a boiler on show... :-)

DRP

We have. 1930s semi and recently moved the boiler from the 1st floor to the loft during loft conversion work.

Obviously this isn't quite comparable in terms of accessibility for servicing etc in your loft, but just to say that we have noticed very little if any, delay for hot water in downstairs kitchen taps. 

JGB1955

Bendy_House said:

Hi Gazman. At least your decision will be very informed  :-)

Reasons for putting a boiler in the loft:

1) It's ugly, so will be out of the way, and won't take up valuable space.

2) That's about it, I think.

Reasons for not putting it in the loft:

1) The loft needs to be boarded out properly, have safe access, and be well lit.

2) It might cost a bit more to do.

3) Oh, the hot pipe run will be longer, so extra delay in getting DHW to its main use - the kitchen sink. Very good point FB. If, however, it's fitted somewhere above the kitchen area, then the difference should be minimal, and it might even be more central to the rest of the house's needs. 

4) Access to check the boiler is more awkward, but a remote filling valve and pressure gauge will help mitigate. Adjusting settings will still require a creaky ascent, tho'.

I think the main reason folk would entertain doing this is because kitchen/utility space is limited. Or that it cannot be hid inside a unit/cupboard - they are supremely ugly devices. I will never ever ever have a boiler on show... :-)

We had our replacement (system) boiler put in the loft prior to us redesigning our kitchen.  It gave us SO much more usable space that it was well worth the cost.  Our loft was already boarded, and we have a retractable loft ladder.  Our filling valve and pressure gauge are in our airing cupboard, so no need for us to visit our lonesome Valliant friend upstairs.  The only downside is for our plumber/heating engineer/ - he makes sure he does our annual service in May - otherwise the loft is either freezing cold, or a sauna.