Oil Boiler chooses December to die

[BoonDucks]

We have a Worcester oil boiler which has been here 30 years. Get it serviced every year and it's still efficient. It has now started to leak water and it looks like we will need a new one. Plumber coming tomorrow but obviously it's not a quick fix. At the moment it's a slow leak into the base of the boiler which I am mopping up. Boiler still functioning and plumber told me to leave it on.
We have a multi fuel stove with a back boiler but I'm not sure if we'll be able to use that if the C/H system packs up altogether as it's all connected .
Has anyone any experience of this kind of job? How long it will take? What mess? I know it will cost £££ but that's unavoidable and we knew it would need replacing sometime.

[Lucisky]

The last time I had an oil boiler replaced the work took two days. It was in and functioning by the end of the first day, then the next day was spent fitting thermostatic valves to the radiators, it was a big house too, so I was pleasantly surprised. That boiler too sprung a leak. It was the heat exchanger.

[Lucisky]

Just to add, it wasn't too messy, but there was some water spilt from the radiators. If your boiler is that old you will be replacing it with a condensing boiler, which requires a bit more work. More a problem with plumbers boots all over the house, and doors being left open, to make it feel even colder!

[another20]

Ours want oil fired - but an antique floor standing gas one - we never serviced it - but it broke down ever other year causing a drama - we have lived here 18 years and it was probably in since the house was built in 1950's. We finally bit the bullet a couple of months ago. Took a couple of days removal and fitting new combi to different place look 2-3 days and cost £1500 - boiler separate but we got this new for only £200 at cost price from the manufacturer (relative works there). No mess.

Biggest mistake was waiting so long to replace it - we have paid the replacement cost probably a couple of times over with old inefficient boiler and call outs over the years - because we waited.

[BoonDucks]

Thanks Lucisky that doesn't sound too bad. I'm hoping it will go in the same place, utility room. I imagine it might be a little smaller than the old one. Radiators have TVRs on already so hopefully no work to on them. I don't know what condensing boilers are but have been warned off combi boilers. We have to have a tank anyway for the stove back boiler.

[specialsubject]

Sods law...

We replaced ours. You do want condensing as more efficient. Combi means no hot water tank and is daft unless you don't have the space for a tank. Reason is that a tank allows backup ( with an immersion) and planning ahead ( my hot water is heating now in case we get a power cut due to snow)

Mess wasn't too bad and your oil bill will drop considerably. Don't expect it to heat the room like it did before. Done in a day.

But... It is a busy time of year. I hope you can find an oftec registered person with time. You can also get ahead by chemical flushing the system.

[BoonDucks]

Don't expect it to heat the room like it did before
Ah that's a shame. It dries my laundry and keeps the utility room warm. and the cat sleeps next to it.
Tank essential as multi fuel stove heats water. Also useful in power cuts which we get quite often.
Lower oil bill will be good. I don't think plumber is oftec registered but he's done all my plumbing for years and will get the job if he can do it.

[another20]

Oh yes - how could I forget - v hot utility room - get sopping clothes dried to a crisp in no time - that was the benefit of an inefficienct old boiler.

Have had to buy a tumble drier and an electric heating rod since...

[specialsubject]

Using a non registered installer may invalidate the guarantee - certainly with Worcester who will want one of their own registered people. He will need to get an oftec person to certify the work and do the building regs bit.

The new one will waste less heat hence less washing drying - that's not what you buy it for.

[BoonDucks]

Building regs? What's that about? It's just one out one in.

[MongerTruffle]

There are building regulations that relate to boilers eg there is a certain distance that your flue has to be from any windows and doors.

[bouncydog]

We had to have one replaced and due to the regs the fitters couldn’t sign it off until the oil tank complied with the current regs. So the actual boiler fitting was completed in a couple of days, but that was after we had had to get the old tank drained, the concrete catchpit demolished and cleared and a new tank and oil lines installed. Cost £8k all in.

[specialsubject]

Any new fixed heat generating appliance , even a replacement, has to meet building regs and be registered with your council.

And yes, if any other bits dont meet current standards (e g position and bunding of tank) you may have more issues.

[speakout]

You have my sympathies.

I have just had 3 days of a replacement boiler.

Carnage.

[wowfudge]

With regard to building regs, the suitably qualified engineer certifies the boiler is fitted to regs and then must register it with building control at the council.

[johnd2]

Regarding the old boiler heating the room, that's due to its inefficiency. When the new one is fitted, as the installer to add a suitably sized radiator in the boiler room, and you'll have a more efficient and controllable version of what you had before!

[scaryteacher]

Bouncy fitters couldn’t sign it off until the oil tank complied with the current regs. You were had - one fitter tried that with me, but I went and read the rules, (this was in 2014) and you don't have to replace your tank at all, until the tank physically needs replacing, and only then does it have to comply with current regs.

I had a lovely new Stanley installed, signed off by the OFTEC installer, all done and dusted with building regs, and no need to anything with my oil tank.

[BoonDucks]

Thanks for tips.
I know the heat loss is inefficiency but I figure it's used as I never need to have the radiator on in the utility room.
Plumber has tried a temporary solution to stop the leak - it's a slow but steady drip. It might be after Christmas before he can replace the boiler. New boiler will need a different flue and some kind of drainage pipe so a big job.