Back boiler needs replacing - still allowed??

[Nickthedentist]

Evening everyone,

A friend from work has been told by a "reputable" installer that her back boiler is beyond repair, and that due to changes in the Building Regs, it is now prohibited to replace it with a similar model and so she'll need "a whole new system"

I've heard something similar before, but I thought that you could still buy them (e.g. from Baxi) for replacement purposes only.

Who's right? Is she being led up the garden path?

Cheers,
Nick.

 

[meldrew's_mate]

Only SEDBUK band A and B boilers are now allowed, with very few exceptions. Copies of the Building Regulation Part L1 are freely downloadable from http://www.odpm.gov.uk so you can check for yourself.

Band A and B boilers are generally condensing boilers, your backboiler would probably be down around band G if it went that low!

Whole new boiler required, but whole new system probably not.

 

[Nickthedentist]

That's interesting & helpful, M_M

I'm not a CH expert and don't really understand SEDBUK ratings so I'm still a bit confused...

The Baxi site still lists loads of models, most of which have got a SEDBUK rating of about 75%:
http://www.baxi.co.uk/products/browse.php?type=installer&cat=1

So what's going on there?

Thanks again,
Nick.

 

[corgiman]

You may be able to have a new back boiler fitted ONLY if you have a survey done by a part l approved engineer and score enough points to be exempted (you may well be able to with an existing back boiler)

see this

http://www.odpm.gov.uk/pub/731/Guid...tProcedureforDwellingsPDF1258Kb_id1130731.pdf

Page 11 lists out the critea so have a good read then call someone to verify

 

[fitz1]

i think back boilers are the exception to the rule.u can still install.

 

[ACOperson]

Only if enough exception points.

 

[corgiman]

ACO is right read the link it explains it all

 

[Nickthedentist]

Thanks Corgiman (and everyone else).

I've had a quick skim through that document - very useful though some of it's not that easy for a layman like me to understand, especially as I haven't actually seen the installation

I see that if you're replacing a back boiler and a condensing boiler would have to be fitted in a different room, you add 350 points... What does that mean in practice?

Am I right in thinking that basically, the advice she was given was right, unless there are exceptional circumstances which mean that a condensing boiler absolutely can't be installed? Seems a bit harsh when you consider the difference in cost

Thanks again guys,
Nick.

 

[ChrisR]

Not all the installation restrictions on installing a condensing boler are described in those docs I think - though I haven't looked at them recently!

If for example you could put a boiler in a kitchen butthe plume would be next to a neighbour's back door, it would be reasonable to sugggest that it might "cause a nuisance" so couldn't go there. If the back room has wall to wall patio doors it can't go there either, etc.
Like many of these things the documents are unbelievably badly written.

What's wrong with the boiler? many of them can be repaired, even if it means the main heat exchanger.

 

[Nickthedentist]

Thanks Chris.

I'm working on second-hand info from a not very technically-minded young lady, so it's difficult to say what the fault is, but from the way she described it, it sounded like the main HE.

Again, I'm worried that an unscrupulous installer might be trying to sell her a new system when in reality, the old one could be persuaded to give a few more years service (though I appreciate that this kind of spare doesn't come cheap).

Cheers,
Nick.

PS What's the weather in Antarctica like compared with Khazakstahn?

 

[kevplumb]

though I appreciate that this kind of spare doesn't come cheap

a lot cheaper than a new boiler