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[Vamps]

We are doing some work on the house, starting in the front room – all because we need a new settee.......

Anyway, as part of this swmbo wants to change the fire, we have a backboiler with one of those stick out gas fires. We would rather not cause too much upheaval and have discovered that Baxi do a replacement, but modern and efficient, back boiler with some rather nice electric fires, has anyone any experiences of these?

A couple of fire shops have said we should fit a condensing boiler, but this would have to in the loft.........

I gather that these condensing boilers are unreliable in cold weather due to the drain pipe freezing up, iirc there were quite a few cases discussed on here.......
.
I have also read that the condensing boilers are not all that they are cracked up to be, take 10 years to pay for themselves but they only last about half this time and the suggestion is to leave well alone..............

I should also say that our system, old though it may be, is working absolutely fine.....

Any thoughts peeps?.................

[Kevin Wood]

I think building regs mandate a condensing boiler is fitted when replacing an old boiler these days, so not sure you have a choice.

Nothing wrong with the boilers themselves, It's the gas safe engineers muppets who can't understand how to install a condensate drain that won't freeze, despite clear requirements being included in every appliance's installation manual.

If it's an original Baxi back boiler it will not be very efficient at all! It will also be pretty old, so if the decoration is going to be messed up during its' removal... better now than once you've decorated.

[Vamps]

I think building regs mandate a condensing boiler is fitted when replacing an old boiler these days, so not sure you have a choice.

Nothing wrong with the boilers themselves, It's the gas safe engineers muppets who can't understand how to install a condensate drain that won't freeze, despite clear requirements being included in every appliance's installation manual.

If it's an original Baxi back boiler it will not be very efficient at all! It will also be pretty old, so if the decoration is going to be messed up during its' removal... better now than once you've decorated.

Thanks Kevin, have seen others, just cancelled a rep from a government supported company (ASHADEGREENER) who sell, no rent, 2 types, and Baxi sell a new boiler that replaces the pack boiler, but thinking about it, it may be a form of condenser cos it has a pump operated drain...... But this is why I am asking.....

[Andy B]

...
 cos it has a pump operated drain......   ....

I had a new condensing  boiler fitted a couple of years ago inside the old airing cupboard and because it doesn't have an outside wall for the condense drain, it drains into a saniflow type pump.  It runs for a few seconds every now & then

[Vamps]

...
 cos it has a pump operated drain......   ....

I had a new condensing  boiler fitted a couple of years ago inside the old airing cupboard and because it doesn't have an outside wall for the condense drain, it drains into a saniflow type pump.  It runs for a few seconds every now & then

Yes, this is something I discussed with a plumber a few months ago who visited for another reason, said it could go in there, plenty room, swmbo not so happy about it being in a bedroom, should be safe though with the chimney up through and out of the loft.....

Did you pay much more than about £2k which is the figure in my mind, and bank for this job?........

[Andy B]

...
 cos it has a pump operated drain......   ....

I had a new condensing  boiler fitted a couple of years ago inside the old airing cupboard and because it doesn't have an outside wall for the condense drain, it drains into a saniflow type pump.  It runs for a few seconds every now & then

Yes, this is something I discussed with a plumber a few months ago who visited for another reason, said it could go in there, plenty room, swmbo not so happy about it being in a bedroom, should be safe though with the chimney up through and out of the loft.....

Did you pay much more than about £2k which is the figure in my mind, and bank for this job?........

IIRC I paid about £2500 ...... 

[I_want_an_Omega]

My condensing boiler is fitted on an inside wall, but luckily the condensate can flow under gravity  into an existing inside drainage pipe. Sorted 

Another aspect is that there are condensing boilers and condensing combi boilers. IMHO the former are more reliable ......

[Vamps]

...
 cos it has a pump operated drain......   ....

I had a new condensing  boiler fitted a couple of years ago inside the old airing cupboard and because it doesn't have an outside wall for the condense drain, it drains into a saniflow type pump.  It runs for a few seconds every now & then

Yes, this is something I discussed with a plumber a few months ago who visited for another reason, said it could go in there, plenty room, swmbo not so happy about it being in a bedroom, should be safe though with the chimney up through and out of the loft.....

Did you pay much more than about £2k which is the figure in my mind, and bank for this job?........

IIRC I paid about £2500 ...... 

  And we need a new settee and to decorate and a new 'big' telly......

[Vamps]

My condensing boiler is fitted on an inside wall, but luckily the condensate can flow under gravity  into an existing inside drainage pipe. Sorted 

Another aspect is that there are condensing boilers and condensing combi boilers. IMHO the former are more reliable ......

Ah Hah, I was forgetting, just been for a look around and things are much clearer, and looks like I was being potentially conned by one of these big fireplace places, thanks ......

[Andy B]

My condensing boiler is fitted on an inside wall, but luckily the condensate can flow under gravity  into an existing inside drainage pipe. Sorted 

Another aspect is that there are condensing boilers and condensing combi boilers. IMHO the former are more reliable ......

Ah Hah, I was forgetting, just been for a look around and things are much clearer, and looks like I was being potentially conned by one of these big fireplace places, thanks ......

you mean he wanted to fit a combi boiler ................... maybe it was easier for him 

[Kevin Wood]

If it has a drain pump, it's condensing.

Old fashioned Baxi back boiler will be a conventional one not a combi. Probably better to replace like with like, especially as a combi in a fire place is going to need some seriously convoluted plumbing.

.. but it would be worth checking the state of the rest of the system as well - hot water tank, etc. while you're at it.

[Vamps]

If it has a drain pump, it's condensing.

Old fashioned Baxi back boiler will be a conventional one not a combi. Probably better to replace like with like, especially as a combi in a fire place is going to need some seriously convoluted plumbing.

.. but it would be worth checking the state of the rest of the system as well - hot water tank, etc. while you're at it.

Which brings me back to the beginning, anyone fitted a modern Baxi back boiler, to replace the older one?........

[brendan1983]

When I renovated my house I pulled out the old back bolier & fire. I spoke to a few companies and all recommended I fit a new combi system elsewhere.

I fitted mine in the bathroom in a new cupboard I built for it. Boiler was £549 - all new rads & pipe was another £400 approx and then commissioning of the new boiler and installing all the rads etc was £600.

[bigegg]

  And we need a new settee and to decorate and a new 'big' telly......

You forgot curtains 

I once bought a picture (original amateur oil painting) of a sunset for 50p at the car boot.

MrsEgg loved it...

It clashed with the light green + silver theme of the living room.
So...
New wallpaper
New Border
New internal doors
New carpet
New suite
New fire
New fire surround
New curtains
New cushions
New bookcase
New sideboard/cupboard thing

Best part of SIX GRAND for a 50p f**king picture 

[biggriffin]

Have just had my back boiler removed,and a new system boiler put in the loft,didnt need a new tank as thats only 18mths old, 1 new double radiator,new wireless thermostat, gas main up to the loft,under the floor, magna clean filter,and power flush. change from £1500, enough to have the old fire place bricked up and plastered.
 now just got to redecorate the front room then get price for new double glazing..