To keep my old Glow Worm boiler?l

spot1034 wrote: »

Yes it does have a constant pilot light.


It was the standard unit fitted when all the houses in my street were built in 1990, and when one comes up for sale it's always interesting to take a look at the pictures which are now easily viewable online, and I've noticed quite a few of these original boilers are still in service.

chrisw99 wrote: »

I recently replaced a 25 year old boiler, and it looks like my gas bill will be hundreds of pounds less this year not to mention the hundreds of pounds I seemed to be spending each year keeping the last one working.

There comes a time when you just have to put it out of its misery.

I also recouped 300-400 quid selling some of the parts from the old one on ebay.

New one has a 10 year warranty, so a bit of peace of mind there as well.

hareng wrote: »

Still using a 1984 Olympic boiler and parts still readily available.
Annual upkeep is around £9 per year ie new thermo couple every 2 1/2 years.
I dont condone doing this but do know about pressures and gases as i work with them daily in another field.

Scaremongering cleaning out the boiler, did just that after been in use since 1984 till 2014 constantly. Strip down to the casting revealed surface rust, thats it no need to clean non flaky.


Touch wood the most expensive part was a valve around 6 years ago about £45 delivered. Thermo couples last average 2 1/2 years and pilots always lit. Universal thermo couple fit too approx £17 a chuck non trade.


I keep getting crank calls offering boiler service ranging from £20 p/m, do the maths.
Not only that first time they come out then say unrepairable new boiler needed £2400 plus a service plan.
Assuming its a really good boiler that lasts 10 years that works out £240 per year plus the service plan another £240 = £480 ish. Elec and gas use over 12 months is only £720 or £1500 with any of the biggies.