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Old Back boilers are no longer safe, which is why they are illegal. The conventional or old boilers have less efficiency, more energy consumption and expensive maintenance. You need to replace your back boiler or remove it. You can replace it with a new back boiler or convert to a combi, system or heat only boiler.
Are back boilers still available?
Back boilers are no longer being manufactured and are being replaced by modern units that are more efficient, compact and safer. If your property has a back boiler that’s either given up or you simply want a more modern heating system, most professionals will advise you to move on to a combi boiler.
When were back boilers discontinued?
Back boilers were popular until the Building Regulations changed in 2005, when it became a requirement to install high efficiency condensing boilers. Although many have been replaced with wall-hung condensing boilers, there are still a large number of back boilers still installed in UK homes.
Are back boilers bad?
Fitted behind electric or gas fireplaces, back boilers provide both central heating and hot water to a property. Deemed unsafe and having very poor efficiency, older back boilers are in fact now illegal. It is recommended to install more efficient boilers such as a combi.
Are back boilers expensive to run?
Back boilers are quite an archaic form of heating. They can be costly to run and maintain, they also tend to be a lot more inefficient than modern boiler models.
How long do back boilers last?
A combi boiler will last you around 10 years. If you service you old back boiler regularly, it will last you a lot longer.
How long should a back boiler last?
Replacing a back boiler is a large investment which should last up to 15 years. As we’ve mentioned above, each property is different, you need to ensure you get the correct advise and the most suitable boiler for you, at boiler central we will do exactly that for you.
Can you sell a house with a back boiler?
The Short Answer: Yes If we were to take the question at face-value, then yes, you can sell your house with a broken boiler. There are so many old homes in the UK, in different states of disrepair.
Can a back boiler explode?
When a fire is lit in front of a redundant back boiler, left in a sealed condition, it can heat up and the internal pressure can cause the boiler casing to explode. Thus, at the decommissioning stage the system should have been drained and redundant pipework removed along with, ideally, the back boiler itself.
Is a back boiler worth it?
Typically a back boiler is just under 80% efficient whereas a modern condensing boiler could be 98% efficient. This is particularly important when your heating accounts for over 50% of what the average household will spend a year on bills. Therefore an inefficient boiler can really affect your fuel bills.
Does a back boiler need ventilation?
Back boilers are generally no longer installed unless it is too complicated or too expensive to install a condensing boiler. Back boilers are “open flued” which means that there must be an open vent to allow fresh air in to replace the fumes that go up the flue.
How much does it cost to service a back boiler?
A service of a boiler, gas fire and hob is likely to be in the £100-£125 range. A boiler service should cost £70-90 (depending on where in the country you are), and that includes cleaning out a magnetic system filter (if you have one).
Can you have a log burner with a back boiler?
A wood burner with back boiler can be connected to your central heating system so that the heat generated by the stove heats your radiators as well as the room. End your reliance on the immersion heater by using your stove to do the job of your central heating.
Does a back boiler use electricity?
After proper installation, back boilers are ready to use to heat hot water and provide heating around the home. Back boilers use the heat of a fireplace run by electricity or gas fire.
How do I dispose of an old boiler?
Steps Required to Remove a Boiler Remove insulation from the pipes and dispose them of properly. Disconnect electricity from the boiler using a licensed electrician. Drain the boiler and water circulation system piping. Dismantle the boiler in place.
How often should a back boiler be serviced?
Maintain your back boiler: It is very important they are properly stripped down and serviced every year. A proper service will involve a lot of cleaning and takes about two hours.
How much does it cost to remove back boiler and replace combi?
The price will vary from property to property. A typical 3-4 bedroom property with 8-10 radiators, all pipework, and an A-Rated combination boiler, is likely to cost around 5,000 for removal of the back boiler and replacement with a combi system.
How messy is removing a back boiler?
The back boiler, it’s flue and gas fire – all will be removed unless you want to keep the back boiler fireplace. Removing the gas fireplace and replacing it with an electric fire could cost you more in the short term but less in the long term. So, creating a mess is normal while removing a back boiler.
What should I replace my boiler with?
What are the alternatives to gas boilers? Oil or LPG Boilers. Oil and LPG are similar to natural gas in the sense that they’re both fossil fuels. Electric Boilers. Biomass Boilers. Air Source Heat Pumps. Ground Source Heat Pumps. Solar Thermal Panels. Infrared Heating Panels. Solar Powered Electric Heating.
Are old back boilers efficient?
Back boilers are incredibly inefficient when compared to modern combi boilers. Back boilers are around 78% energy-efficient, while modern combi boilers are over 90% efficient. Government regulations require a boiler installed to be over 86%. So even if you wanted a new back boiler installed, it wouldn’t be possible.
How efficient is a 20 year old boiler?
20 years old: 70% efficient.
Should I replace my 20 year old boiler?
Therefore, any central heating system using a boiler that is more than 20 years old is likely to be made significantly cheaper to run by replacing with a condensing boiler. As boilers age – particularly those that are not well maintained – they become less efficient.
Do I need a boiler installation certificate to sell my house?
Must I have a gas boiler safety certificate to sell my house? If you have a gas boiler in your current home, you will not need a safety certificate as a prerequisite to selling your house. Even then, having safety checks and annual inspections done annually is recommended for your own safety.
