NON COMPLIANT COMBI BOILER - RIDDOR ISSUE? £3K BILL! :(

jonnydeppiwish!

NameUnavailable said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Simply consider this as a new boiler install, and not a fix. Therefore get at least three quotes for a 'new boiler', both  from local recommended outfits and the likes of BOXT.
A new boiler will require a new flue in any event, so hopefully a complete resolution.

Surely it should be a heat pump now?

Not sure heat pumps are particularly easy to install for flats - the can be wall mounted but need a very large gap between them and the wall.

ThisIsWeird

NameUnavailable said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Simply consider this as a new boiler install, and not a fix. Therefore get at least three quotes for a 'new boiler', both  from local recommended outfits and the likes of BOXT.
A new boiler will require a new flue in any event, so hopefully a complete resolution.

Surely it should be a heat pump now?

Not compulsory, afaIk, except on new builds and such like. The OP has a combi, so apart from finding presumed exterior wall space for the HP unit, they'd need room for a Thermal Store inside.
Untenable for many. If not most. And a very hefty price tag if even possible.
If the existing flue is suffering from corrosion due to the flue condensate, it would seem most likely that the installation was incompetent in some way. The exhaust flue is in plastic and in the centre of the overall flue pipe, the air intake surrounding it. Any condensate in the inner exhaust pipe shouldn't corrode anything, and will trickle back to the combustion chamber to exit safely via the condensate pipe. It's common for the outer flue material to be steel, tho', so it suggests a leak from the inner to the outer, and that isn't good. The outer sleeve would soon succumb to the condensate, as would parts of the inner boiler casing. But, to prove who was likely negligent would likely be fraught. Given the boiler's age, I personally wouldn't bother, but just seek quotes for a replacement - you'd anticipate having to do this pretty soon anyway.
Don't expect a huge energy saving - the old boiler would have been pretty good anyway. Perhaps compare the options for replacement partly on the quality of controls - Opentherm and the alternatives. Certainly I'd say to go 'Smart'.

Interesting point, tho' - what is the future of heating in flats? A large communal system?

FreeBear

ThisIsWeird said:

NameUnavailable said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Simply consider this as a new boiler install, and not a fix. Therefore get at least three quotes for a 'new boiler', both  from local recommended outfits and the likes of BOXT.
A new boiler will require a new flue in any event, so hopefully a complete resolution.

Surely it should be a heat pump now?

Not compulsory, afaIk, except on new builds and such like. The OP has a combi, so apart from finding presumed exterior wall space for the HP unit, they'd need room for a Thermal Store inside.

A thermal store is not compulsory with a heat pump. Nor do you have to have a unit outside - There are some very compact air to air units that just require a hole or two through the wall. e.g. https://www.electriq.co.uk/p/iqool-smart12hp/electriq-iqoolsmart12hp - Downside is the relatively low heat output, but then again, it will provide cooling in the summer months. Wouldn't like to comment on noise levels though..

ThisIsWeird

Thanks FreeBear.
I take it that Heat Pumps are not yet compulsory anyway?

FreeBear

ThisIsWeird said: I take it that Heat Pumps are not yet compulsory anyway?

Not yet. And government proposals to encourage uptake has been watered down..

Albermarle

Not compulsory, afaIk, except on new builds and such like.

The UK government has ruled that gas boilers will be banned in all new homes built after 2025. The “future homes standard” will require all new builds to have low-carbon systems, such as electric heat pumps. The ruling is part of the government’s ten-point initiative to help the UK reach its target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

ThisIsWeird

Albermarle said:

Not compulsory, afaIk, except on new builds and such like.

The UK government has ruled that gas boilers will be banned in all new homes built after 2025. The “future homes standard” will require all new builds to have low-carbon systems, such as electric heat pumps. The ruling is part of the government’s ten-point initiative to help the UK reach its target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

And for non-new builds, and flats?

What are the proposals for flats? They cannot possibly be considering littering the outside walls with numerous ASHP units?

Albermarle

ThisIsWeird said:

Albermarle said:

Not compulsory, afaIk, except on new builds and such like.

The UK government has ruled that gas boilers will be banned in all new homes built after 2025. The “future homes standard” will require all new builds to have low-carbon systems, such as electric heat pumps. The ruling is part of the government’s ten-point initiative to help the UK reach its target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

And for non-new builds, and flats?

What are the proposals for flats? They cannot possibly be considering littering the outside walls with numerous ASHP units?

No new gas boilers should be installed after 2035, although there are some exceptions for 'hard to heat' homes.
According to the 'ecoexperts.co.uk' . Flats with communal heating systems can convert very well to a communal heat pump system. Flats are usually easier to heat than houses so can cope more easily with the lower heat output.
Individual flats with their own heating system, really need a balcony or be on the ground floor/with a garden.
In theory you can just attach a heat pump on the outside wall of a flat, but as you say it seems a bit impractical.
There are smaller portable heat pumps that could be OK for a smaller flat.

martindow

The OP is in a flat, so could the boiler be the freeholder's responsibility if it is condemned?  In this case the cost will come back to the flat owners but would possibly be divided amongst all of the flats unless all the boilers in the building need replacing.  Whatever the situation permission may be required from the freeholder if it involves the structure of the flat, for example changing the size or position of the hole the flue passes through.

OP, what does your lease say on the responsibilities of the parties regarding boilers and building works?