Boiler in the loft, any issues?

snowqueen555

I'm thinking of buying a flat and the boiler is in the loft. From the video below, does the setup look ok? Apologies for the poor clip, I could not get into the loft itself, had to stand on a chair and poke by phone through.

I've been reading that certain H&S regulations. There is no ladder access I'm also concerned about future maintenance and how a boiler can even operate in such cold temperatures in the roof during winter?

This is an ex rental, so I already need new kitchen, carpet, bathroom and wallpaper all to be taken down and repainted. Just trying to protect myself from any major future problems.

https://youtube.com/shorts/ESYBczwLwg8?si=gZ346eu_rCCbcrmS

Thanks

twopenny

Is this a gas boiler?
How would it be serviced? It must have been serviced before so you could ask for the information.
My boiler cut out last winter. If that happens you need to get into the loft to reset it. Most likely at night.

WIAWSNB

Hi Snowie.
There is nothing inherently wrong with having a boiler in the loft, and it's a good place if you are pushed for space elsewhere. Well maintained, it should give little problem.
However, there are requirements the installation should follow. These include a solid and safe floor from which to work from. Adequate lighting. Easy and safe access to the loft (a removable ladder or stepladder is probably not good enough - many GSafes may refuse, especially chubby ones.)
As 2'penny says, worth finding who the installer was, and also who carried out the services and safety inspections - the owner will (should) have this, as a rental requires annual safety checks. So ask - insist - on this.
Another issue is whether the presumed-Leaseholder of that flat has the right to use this loft for their own use like this; you'll want Freeholder confirmation.
The only aspect that shouldn't really be an issue is how cold it gets, as it's standard to fit anti-frost 'stats in such locations, including garages. If the temp approaches freezing, then the boiler will 'tickover' enough to keep itself protected. 
What to do? Get answers to the above - who installed, who services, and are they happy to continue? Does it have a full service record? Did the flat owner have permission to use the loft?
If 'yes' to all, then you should be fine. Otherwise budget £2k+ to have it moved to the actual flat - is there room?

FreeBear

WIAWSNB said:

There is nothing inherently wrong with having a boiler in the loft, and it's a good place if you are pushed for space elsewhere. Well maintained, it should give little problem.

A typical modern gas boiler generates some 6% of heat through the casing that could be used to heat the house if it wasn't in the loft. I have my boiler in the hallway, and the extra 200-600W of "waste" heat means I can get away with a smaller radiator in that space. Pipe runs are also shorter which means faster response times, especially for hot water.

Alanp

Had our boiler in the loft for the past seventeen years and are about to get it replaced, I do meet the criteria of access and lighting though

twopenny

I was wondering about noise.
I went to one house that had the boiler in the bedroom cupboard and you could hear it fire up. Would have driven me nuts.

Oh where's the vent? Through the roof or wall?
And which direction does it face, what does it look like? Some vents exit the roof with a wind and rain cover.

WIAWSNB

FreeBear said:

WIAWSNB said:

There is nothing inherently wrong with having a boiler in the loft, and it's a good place if you are pushed for space elsewhere. Well maintained, it should give little problem.

A typical modern gas boiler generates some 6% of heat through the casing that could be used to heat the house if it wasn't in the loft. I have my boiler in the hallway, and the extra 200-600W of "waste" heat means I can get away with a smaller radiator in that space. Pipe runs are also shorter which means faster response times, especially for hot water.

That's a good point, and personally I'd have it contained within a simple insulated box - could literally be made out of glued Celotex or similar. 
This would help prevent it from frost damage - the frost 'stat would be contained within this box, and hardly ever come on - and also reduce further the small loss of body heat.
But, yes, every watt is precious, so it's a consideration.
Very few folk would choose to put their boiler in t'loft, tho', unless there was an overriding reason, most likely a lack of room in t'house. In which case, that tiny loss of heat will be judged worth it, I'm pretty sure.

ChilliBob

Ours is on the loft and it's fine, however, we had to have it replaced (turns out the old one was 14-15 years old) and we were told the copper runs were too small diameter so these needed to be done in 28mm (I think). Fortunately we were redoing a bathroom as otherwise access would have required some demolition. It was a long and costly exercise but necessary.

On the flip side, no issues from the boiler touch wood, and everything heats up quickly etc so all good. 

Bit lame but you could always get a camera like tapo or eufy in the loft to see the boiler, I did that on the old one when it was faulty lol, saved going up there. 

bjorn_toby_wilde

Ours is in the loft and has been for 20+ years. No problem whatsoever.

Make sure the condensate pipe is insulated and routed properly though. The boiler won’t suffer from low temperatures if it’s set up properly but a frozen condensate pipe will stop it dead.

bjorn_toby_wilde

FreeBear said:

WIAWSNB said:

There is nothing inherently wrong with having a boiler in the loft, and it's a good place if you are pushed for space elsewhere. Well maintained, it should give little problem.

A typical modern gas boiler generates some 6% of heat through the casing that could be used to heat the house if it wasn't in the loft. I have my boiler in the hallway, and the extra 200-600W of "waste" heat means I can get away with a smaller radiator in that space. Pipe runs are also shorter which means faster response times, especially for hot water.

6% sounds an awful lot given the efficiency figures given for modern boilers. Where did you get that figure from because from a quick google I can’t find anything?

Albermarle

twopenny said:

I was wondering about noise.
I went to one house that had the boiler in the bedroom cupboard and you could hear it fire up. Would have driven me nuts.

Oh where's the vent? Through the roof or wall?
And which direction does it face, what does it look like? Some vents exit the roof with a wind and rain cover.

Ours is in a bedroom cupboard, but it is a spare room that is hardly ever used as a bedroom.
The boiler is very quiet in operation, but on start up in the early morning, it could wake a light sleeper.