Boiler in outside cupboard

[Mrxman]

Hi There

We're looking to move shortly and we've found a property we like.

My only concern is the boiler which is currently located outside in a cupboard leaning up against the kitchen.
It's a 1930s house and the cupboard might have been used for a toilet or coal (maybe).

I find it a bit odd. Should this be a concern? Is it common for older houses to have standard boilers outside?

I suspect repositioning the boiler would be a major expensive job given that the external (inside) wall in kitchen has a tall cupboard with an oven and microwave. Putting a boiler upstairs where cylinder is could work but cupboard is opposite external wall so would require some major pipe work. I think this could be expensive.

Any thoughts?

 

[ChrisJP]

If the outside "cupboard" (is it really an outhouse?) is waterproof, then actually it is a pretty good place for the boiler, as long as the pipes leading to and from it are well insulated. What exactly is your concern?

 

[Mrxman]

If the outside "cupboard" (is it really an outhouse?) is waterproof, then actually it is a pretty good place for the boiler, as long as the pipes leading to and from it are well insulated. What exactly is your concern?

Yes it's more like an outhouse.
The pipes have a short run through wall and they didn't look insulated so that would obviously need to be fixed. I need to inspect the outhouse again but on first viewing it looked dry inside but I don't think it's an insulated outhouse.

My main concern is frost, heat loss and damage to the boiler. Also the practical side of things, having to go outside if any settings need changing.

Additionally I have, perhaps a rigid view, that a boiler should be inside.

 

[denso13]

Additionally I have, perhaps a rigid view, that a boiler should be inside.

Not an issue per say but you should ensure the pipes are insulated well.

Keep it on at low during frosty weather but most have an internal frost stat setting anyway. It will of course be heating the outhouse too.

 

[Mrxman]

Not an issue per say but you should ensure the pipes are insulated well.

Keep it on at low during frosty weather but most have an internal frost stat setting anyway. It will of course be heating the outhouse too.

Ok, thanks. Just wondering, is it worth spending money on moving it? Could be expensive but wondering if it's money well spent or unnecessary.

 

[endecotp]

I find it a bit odd. Should this be a concern?

No, it’s fine.

In the house where I grew up the boiler was moved from the kitchen to an outside boiler house in the early 70s. This was to make the kitchen larger - at that time, boilers were bigger than they are today. It has been fine for 50 years, with 3 different, progressively-smaller, boilers.

 

[Mrxman]

No, it’s fine.

In the house where I grew up the boiler was moved from the kitchen to an outside boiler house in the early 70s. This was to make the kitchen larger - at that time, boilers were bigger than they are today. It has been fine for 50 years, with 3 different, progressively-smaller, boilers.

That's reassuring. Many thanks

 

[denso13]

Ok, thanks. Just wondering, is it worth spending money on moving it? Could be expensive but wondering if it's money well spent or unnecessary.

Not if it's working well. Unless you have loads of cash of course

 

[Mrxman]

Not if it's working well. Unless you have loads of cash of course

I don't. Thanks, that's good to know.