Replacing a gas back boiler

[nkdavidson]

I am moving in 2 weeks time into a house that has a back boiler. The fire looks to be at least 20 years old so I am assuming that the boiler will be a similar age. I would like to have it replaced with a 'normal' boiler as the room that houses it is going to become my new kitchen and I don't want a wall taken up by a gas fire. Will I need to replace the entire central heating? and what sort of boiler is best for a 3 bed terr with 3 very muddy children?

Any advice much appreciated

 

[Plumber Will]

I assume you are wanting a Combi boiler installed? I would go for a Baxi Eco, as for replacing the heating system rads etc. There is no need to replace rads etc. you should have the system flushed though and be prepared to replace some rad valves as the combi system is pressurised and finds escape routes that gravity fed (back boilers) systems don't.

 

[nkdavidson]

I assume you are wanting a Combi boiler installed? I would go for a Baxi Eco,

Is a combi the best option? It was certainly what I was thinking about but there seems to be some suggestion in other posts that they may not be as good as they sound.

 

[Plumber Will]

A decent combi for instance a Baxi or Jaguar should last 15 -20 years they are a cost effective heating system as they only heat water when required the down side to combis is the flow rate of domestic hot water you should look for a one that heats 10+ litres per minute.

 

[ollski]

Personally if you don't have an issue with space and the rest of the system is in good condition I would just fit a new conventional boiler. Worcester and vaillant probably the two most reliable brands at the moment followed closely by Ideal (for conventional boilers anyway)

 

[oilman]

A decent combi ....... a cost effective heating system as they only heat water when required the down side to combis is the flow rate of domestic hot water....

This is unfortunately true. A combi is a contradiction. It has a massive heat out output for heating domestic hot water, but they can't provide the hot water needed for most households if two taps are in operation together.. Effective heat output when using a conventional cylinder, or unvented cylinder, is hundreds of kilowatts. With a combi you have perhaps 28kW. This is a problem in the winter as the water needs heating from a lower temperature.

I agree with ollski that if you can accomodate a conventional cylinder and boiler, that is the better approach. 12kW to 15kW will be adequate for your house, just don't try to provide heat to cope with the few days in the year when the temperatures drop below freezing. Have something to supplement the heating if needed, otherwise you have a boiler that's miles to big for most of the year. Theres also the problem if you have 22mm pipes from the boiler, they can't pass more than 13kW (or thereabouts).

 

[nkdavidson]

Personally if you don't have an issue with space and the rest of the system is in good condition I would just fit a new conventional boiler. Worcester and vaillant probably the two most reliable brands at the moment followed closely by Ideal (for conventional boilers anyway)

Am I right in my assumption that I cannot keep the 'back boiler' but get rid of the fire? I am assuming that I will not have to have the fire on to have the boiler on? Sorry to sound so dense but I really am clueless in this area.

 

[ollski]

It's a pretty ugly unit to look at......you may well be able to replace the firefront with a more modern unit.

 

[nkdavidson]

It's a pretty ugly unit to look at......you may well be able to replace the firefront with a more modern unit.

But I can't get rid of the firefront alltogether?

 

[ollski]

I would say almost certainly no as it has never been designed to run without a firefront, there are procedures to use the fire with the bbu decommissioned though (not much good to you I know)

 

[nkdavidson]

Great thanks for all the advice. I now feel somewhat enlightened!