I'm looking to replace an indirect central heating system (boiler/cistern/loft tank) with a Vaillant Ecotec combi boiler in a small 2 bed/1 bath terraced London home (1980s build). The current boiler/cistern are located in the ground floor airing cupboard off the kitchen and I planned to locate the new combi on the wall there (and drain condensate into the soil stack which is located just behind the closet). However, I've been advised by one installer that I could also install the boiler in the external facing utility cupboard (with gas and electricity meters) located just to the right of my front door (but only accessible from the outside). The condensate would still drain into the soil stack inside the property (with a pipe run of about 3-4 feet I estimate.
Locating the boiler in the external closet would free the old airing cupboard up to be used solely as a closet (and internal space is at a premium); however I'm concerned that having the boiler and part of the condensate pipework in an unheated breeze block cupboard (with only a thin pine cupboard door between it and the elements) could create problems in very cold weather.
Is it likely that the condensate pipe could freeze/back before draining back into the soil stack inside the property? Are there any other issues with locating a boiler in an unheated/partially exposed area? Would I be better off just locating it inside the property? There's not likely to be any difference in cost/installation between the two options as the internal airing cupboard and external meter cupboard are parallel (so easy enough to run pipework, etc.)
Thanks in advance
Locating the boiler in the external closet would free the old airing cupboard up to be used solely as a closet (and internal space is at a premium); however I'm concerned that having the boiler and part of the condensate pipework in an unheated breeze block cupboard (with only a thin pine cupboard door between it and the elements) could create problems in very cold weather.
Is it likely that the condensate pipe could freeze/back before draining back into the soil stack inside the property? Are there any other issues with locating a boiler in an unheated/partially exposed area? Would I be better off just locating it inside the property? There's not likely to be any difference in cost/installation between the two options as the internal airing cupboard and external meter cupboard are parallel (so easy enough to run pipework, etc.)
Thanks in advance