Back Boiler pro's & con's?

[Daz66]

I had a look at a house today that we are interested in buying, looking around for a boiler I couldn't find one hanging on the wall, the estate agent said that the house had a gas fired back boiler behind the 3bar heater in the lounge.

As its built in to the chimney breast and hidden I dont know what type it is or how old it is, or when it was last serviced.

What I would like to know is how easy is it to service, can the parts be found easily (obviously without knowing what type this will be difficult to answer) and how well do they work, are they efficient and modern???

If it needs coming out for something newer and more efficient this will be reflected in our offer so any advice will be welcome.

 

[adlplumbing]

they are reilable but cost more to run
cost to change
and you need it serviced
if baxi then pently of spares
otherwise not as pentlyful spare market

 

[Agile]

Its old, reliable and inefficient. Needs servicing each year to be safe!

What else do you want to know?

To replace with a heat only boiler keeping the probably old cylinder about £1800 plus a bit or redecoration.

That should be as much as you need to know if you dont even own the property yet.

Tony

 

[Daz66]

Thanks for the replies.

I know that they are taking back boilers out of social housing houses for 'safety' reasons and not allowing them to be replaced so was wondering if there are some inherent safety reasons.

If we go for the house we will be adding an extension as soon as possible so will update the whole system when we build, but I was concerned for the time being that everything was ok (and looking for a bit of leverage to bring the price down a bit!)

The hot water tank controls are very old so would need updating also, this agian can wait for the extension.

Thanks again.

 

[expertgasman]

had a gas fired back boiler behind the 3bar heater in the lounge.

You DO mean a radiant gas fire, don't you, as opposed to a 3 bar electric fire?

Before committing yourself to the purchase, either get the sellers to provide a service and inspection report, or pay for an RGI to inspect on your behalf. It could pay dividends.

 

[DP]

If you intend replacing the boiler, I would suggest you replace the cylinder as well if it has a red jacket. Old unlagged cylinders and some early factory lagged have smaller indirect coil that leads to boiler cycling. Modern cylinders heat the water far quicker on account of coil having larger surface area.

 

[Tibbot]

I know that they are taking back boilers out of social housing houses for 'safety' reasons and not allowing them to be replaced so was wondering if there are some inherent safety reasons.

The 'inherent safety reasons' are that the engineers they contract can't get away with classing a visual glance as an annual service.

 

[DP]

The 'inherent safety reasons' are that the engineers they contract can't get away with classing a visual glance as an annual service.

Good reply. Bang on.

 

[bengasman]

What I would like to know is how easy is it to service, can the parts be found easily (obviously without knowing what type this will be difficult to answer) and how well do they work,

They work as well as any boiler, the rest depends on the make/model. Tell the agent to find out the details, and get it in writing

are they efficient and modern???

Baxi make a modern version, but jury is out on how good they are. Very few bb are of the new variety, and extremely inefficient to run.

 

[Agile]

Properly serviced every year they are as safe as any other boiler.

BUT to remain safe the associated vent into the room from outside MUST remain open! Social tenants tend to block them to stop the cold draughts!

Tony Glazier

 

[adlplumbing]

well i will admit i actualy like servicing back boiler as no one can rush you
you tend get a brew and very few problem with reassembly
how ever prefare the ones with asd

 

[Agile]

I dont mind servicing them either but charge more than for a regular boiler.

The trouble is the social gas contractors expect their guys to take just 22 minutes to include checking the cooker and writing out the gas safetyt certificate.

I allow 75 minutes for a proper service!

Tony

 

[bengasman]

I allow 75 minutes for a proper service!
Tony

That is only a medium service. Servicing old boilers properly takes longer than that.

 

[Agile]

I would get tired if I spent any longer servicing an old boiler.

It is also nice to have a cup of coffee afterwards.

At least the newer ones dont need so long!

Tony

 

[bengasman]

I would get tired if I spent any longer servicing an old boiler.
Tony

It's all a matter of staying on form, you need more practice/exercise by the sound of it.